A journey from beaches to mountains

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cary Smith
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  "In Afghanistan I saw the poor children without shoes and it brought me back to when I lived in Peru."

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Maria DeLeon's, 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron in-bound cargo supervisor, transition from her life as a young girl living near Peruvian beaches to a life traveling the world in the armed services was exciting but scary.

Her parents insisted she move to America with them at age 17 for a better education. Having grown up inspired by dreams from Hollywood movies, the teenager found her new surroundings quite different when the family settled in Utah.

"I was not prepared to attend public school after private Catholic school in Peru," said DeLeon. "But I joined Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, involved myself a lot with the program, and everything changed for the better."

She spent long hours after school and on the weekends competing with her color guard, drill team and the ranger team. She looked up to her JROTC instructor, who provided valuable mentorship.

"My instructor was a huge influence for me back then," said DeLeon. "He would constantly ask me why I wanted to join and what I wanted out of the military."

DeLeon mulled over the possible answers until she settled on hard truths of independence and financial security.

"I knew that the military could help me have a job and go to college," said DeLeon. "I decided on joining the Air Force, but I had no idea what life experience was ahead of me."

Her recruiter continued to ask if she still wanted to enlist when the 9/11 disaster happened, but her answer was already made up in her mind - she was committed to serving.

DeLeon then received her citizenship after Basic Military Training graduation. She spent time adjusting to military life at her first base. DeLeon walked through the streets outside Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., with friends, and felt she was in a familiar atmosphere.

"When I was in Arizona, we were so close to Mexico, I spoke Spanish and was sort of the tourist guide for everyone," said DeLeon. "We would go out and visit local areas and see what Tucson had to offer."

She absorbed herself in the local culture and found herself able to befriend almost anyone she met. DeLeon used her sense of discovery and enjoyment of meeting new people not just stateside, but in her deployments. DeLeon found herself in Pakistan as a young Airman, taking in new life experiences.

"Pakistan was an amazing experience," said DeLeon. "At first it's hard to see the real Air Force and see how what you do contributes, until you get to those locations."

DeLeon said she used her experiences from her first deployment for the following ones in Afghanistan. She learned to focus on the importance of her job and how she helps the overall mission. One of the biggest things she remembers is meeting all the different people and the high morale.

DeLeon's re-enlistment approached during her first deployment to Afghanistan.

"I wasn't going to re-enlist because I received all the financial help I needed for school," said DeLeon. "My captain in Afghanistan talked to me a lot, however, and encouraged me to re-enlist."

A particular experience during one of her tours in Afghanistan would change how she viewed the world and her part in it.

"When I saw the children I wanted to help them, and in a way I felt as if they helped me grow as a person," said DeLeon. "I saw poverty close to me growing up, then to see it again, it's very impactful and you just want to help."

DeLeon said those memories changed how she tackles her work now. She takes each moment as they come and always tries to see the best in those around her.

"It's wonderful being here in Aviano because we support so many missions and go to many places," said DeLeon. "There is always work to do, and from my experiences I know that what we are doing matters."

She hopes to bring that same work ethic and her life experiences to the LRS unit she works with now. Traveling the world, meeting people from all walks of life, DeLeon believes the best way to approach the work is with a positive attitude.

"It's interesting looking back on my career and seeing all that I have been through," said DeLeon. "I'm just as excited to absorb the culture here in Italy while providing a valuable part to Aviano's mission."