Photo By Spc. Aliyah Vivier | U.S. Army 1st Lt. Samantha Gabriel, a public affairs officer with the 109th Mobile...... read more read more
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FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. -- Undoubtedly, Central Pennsylvania is worlds away from Los Angeles, California.
1st Lt. Samantha Gabriel, a native of Los Angeles serving as a public affairs officer with the 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment here, feels right at home in Harrisburg despite growing up in the City of Angels.
“I am happy to be in the Pennsylvania National Guard," said Gabriel. "That is always the number one question. ‘Why are you here in Pennsylvania?’”
In choosing a college, Gabriel wanted to attend a university with a large football program, school spirit and a way to help offset the costs of postsecondary education. She realized that the Penn State University Army ROTC program would allow her to join the military and provide a way for her to follow in the footsteps of several of her family members who have served in the military. Once she got into the ROTC program, she realized that the Army was exactly what she was supposed to do since she liked the challenges and benefits that the Army would bring.
“I’ve always thought of it as a difficult profession,” said Gabriel. “But it [would provide] a lot of opportunities for advancement and growth as a person and professionally.”
While attending Penn State, Gabriel enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in December 2020 where she was a cadet assigned to the 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. She commissioned as a second lieutenant shortly after in May 2021 and stayed in the Harrisburg area following her college graduation instead of moving back home to California. Gabriel recently celebrated her promotion to the rank of first lieutenant with a ceremony here, July 27, 2023.
Now a fairly young Army officer progressing through her military career, Gabriel acknowledged the value that the more experienced Soldiers in her unit provided to help her reach her career milestones.
“I am thankful that I got to go through all of those milestones with [the 109th MPAD]. Everyone that I have interacted with at the 109th MPAD has been so supportive. Someone has always been there to help me.”
Gabriel hopes to emulate the care and guidance of the older officers and noncommissioned officers in her unit by being a good leader and resource to the Soldiers under her own care.
“Taking care of your people is really important…even though you may not know everything. Be the best resource that you can.”
In her civilian career, Gabriel currently works as a litigation specialist for a law firm and hopes to one day go to law school. Though, for now, Gabriel is happy to be right where she is in Pennsylvania.
“There are parts of me that miss home like everyone misses home, but I am proud to serve Pennsylvania.”
| Date Taken: | 08.08.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 08.10.2023 09:47 |
| Story ID: | 450962 |
| Location: | FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Hometown: | LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 370 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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Public Affairs
Fort Indiantown Gap
