Photo By Sgt. 1st Class P. Behringer | San German, Puerto Rico, native, 1st Sgt. Maria Levitre (right), the senior...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas – With more than 20 years of military service, one 1st “Ironhorse” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division soldier personifies the 2013 National Hispanic Heritage Month theme: “Hispanics: Serving and Leading Our Nation with Pride and Honor” through personal values and a commitment to serve.
Born and raised an American citizen in San German, Puerto Rico, 1st Sgt. Maria Levitre, the senior noncommissioned officer of Headquarters and Headquarters “Hammer” Troop of the Ironhorse Brigade epitomizes this theme.
This annual observance, running from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, celebrates the contributions of Hispanic Americans whose roots sprouted in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America.
“Being an NCO is an honor,” Levitre said. “It’s just an honor, because soldiers are always going to look up to you. It gives you more motivation when someone comes to you and says I want to be like you.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Mervyn Ripley, the senior noncommissioned officer of the Ironhorse Brigade noticed a need for strong female noncommissioned officer mentors after speaking with young female soldiers. Ripley, a New York City native, wanted a leader with a strong personality, who could rise to the challenge of leading the brigade’s headquarters troop, and someone female soldiers could aspire to become.
Levitre’s professionalism, calm demeanor and exacting standards are what stood out about her, Ripley said, adding she assesses every situation looking for the best avenue to take on a problem.
Ripley said he likes Levitre’s style of leadership because it reminds him of his own, and she always leads from the front.
“To me, if you want to be a good leader, you have to earn the soldiers’ trust and [be] able to tell them this is right, this is wrong, this is how you fix it,” Levitre said.
The first time Levitre entered the continental U.S. was to attend Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, S.C. in 1989. She enlisted because she always wanted to make a career of leading soldiers as an Army noncommissioned officer.
Although Levitre grew into the leader she set out to be, her path was not without struggle.
“I think the biggest challenge was just being a female in the Army,” Levitre said. “You have to push harder to get to the top.”
Initially, Levitre entered the Army during a time when there were far fewer female soldiers than today.
“I was the only female in my motor pool, so that was kind of weird,” Levitre remembered. “Everybody looks at you different. I was always just doing the same thing the male soldiers did.”
Females have changed the Army, Levitre said, and she sees chances for them to excel as new doors open.
“I think one of the greatest things about our Army is that we are not biased by gender nor race,” said Ripley.
Ripley added, as the Army continues to flatten by allowing women into combat arms roles, they are presented with new opportunities to lead.
“I always strive to do the best, not to do the minimum,” Levite explained. “I always try to be the best. That’s what motivates me and keeps me going.”
Her motivation comes from another source as well.
When Levitre’s previous battalion commander asked what motivates her to get up every morning, she said, “My soldiers.” When he asked why, she told him, “Because I know that I care for them and they care for me.”
The mother of two believes family and soldiers’ welfare must come first. Levitre sees family as the true backbone of the Army, because they support and care for soldiers as well.
“Soldiers cannot give you 100 percent if the Army does not take care of their families,” Levitre said. “I know I couldn’t … If the Army takes care of my family, I come to work and give 100% or more.”
In order to become the leader she is now, Levitre credits her upbringing and good leadership throughout her career.
“Growing up, my parents were very strict,” Levitre explained. “They always told me [to] treat others the way you want to be treated. Just always do the right thing, be honest, be loyal, be truthful to others and be respectful.”
She believes it is important to understand, respect and learn from the races, cultures and values that make up the Army.
“When you look around, everyone is different,” Levitre explained. “I think the Armed Forces is probably the only place in the world where you have so much diversity. I think it’s incredible, and I think that’s why so many people wanted to come to the U.S. of A.”
Levitre tells her kids to be proud of who they are as Americans, and grateful for the opportunities she didn’t have growing up in Puerto Rico, adding she is proud to have influenced so many soldiers in what she calls “a big pot of diversity.”
“I think diversity brings strength,” said Ripley. “Some people think it weakens, I think everybody has something to give to the whole.”
| Date Taken: | 10.01.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 10.01.2013 17:19 |
| Story ID: | 114559 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | SAN GERMAN, PR |
| Hometown: | NEW YORK, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 254 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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