Photo By Ana Henderson | Staff Sgt. Jon Contreras is a test jumper and pack section supervisor at Airborne Test...... read more read more
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People join the military for a variety of reasons, some to earn money for college, others to continue a family tradition of serving their country and others to get out of their hometown and travel the world.
Two U.S. Army Airborne Test Force (ATF) Soldiers at Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) joined for some of those reasons yet when the opportunity to serve in their hometown presented itself, they both seized it.
“Coming home was great. I think it was the perfect time,” said Staff Sgt. Jon Contreras is a test jumper and pack section supervisor at ATF. He graduated from Cibola High School, attended Centennial and Crane Middle Schools, and H.L. Suverkrup Elementary School.
He came to Yuma Test Center at YPG after serving in Italy for the last three years and had been away from home since enlisting. This July he hit his 10-year mark serving in the U.S. Army and recently re-enlisted. He expects to serve at YPG for at least three years and looks forward to getting out into the community. Contreras participated in the annual Veteran’s Day parade in Yuma and said it was the first time his family, including his daughter, got to see him representing the Army.
“It’s a good feeling, I haven’t had that feeling, since I was away since I was 19.”
Sgt. Briana Corona’s family is also beaming with pride seeing her represent the U.S. Army in her hometown. They recently visited her during the Military Appreciation event on Main Street in Yuma where she was representing her unit at the YPG booth.
“I love it. They are so proud of me,” expressed Corona.
She was a San Luis resident and attended San Luis Middle School and High School.
A recruiter visited her high school and later brought her to YPG for a tour prior to her enlistment.
Now, while serving here, she hopes to motivate others interested in the Army.
“I would love to continue volunteering,” said Corona, adding, “It would be nice to share my experience. If anyone is interested, I can help them out.”
She arrived at YPG in February as a jumper and jump master and currently works at ATF in the parachute pack section alongside Contreras. She has plans, to attend the Military Freefall School here at YPG to get certified in higher altitude jumps.
As for Contreras he hopes to encourage others to explore their options.
“There are people who want to join, but just don’t take the leap. If I could be a motivation or assist in any way in the community, I would definitely be available to do that and to show there’s more out there. I’ve seen things I probably wouldn’t have seen if I wouldn’t have joined the military.”
Adding, “It benefited me for the best.”
He plans to re-enlist and serve his full 20 years.
| Date Taken: | 09.18.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 09.18.2024 10:53 |
| Story ID: | 479984 |
| Location: | YUMA PROVING GROUND, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 80 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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