Serving in the Army Reserve: Information Technology Specialist
Hi, I’m Sgt. Acosta, and I’m a Soldier in the U.S. Army Reserve. I was born in New York City. My mom was a single mother. I knew she was worried about my going to college. She didn’t want to deny me my education, but it was going to be very hard for her.
Sgt. Acosta in video:
Alright, let’s get ready for this convoy!
Sgt. Acosta:
My name is Sgt. Acosta with the U.S. Army Reserve.
Sgt. Acosta in video:
Ready? One, two!
Sgt. Acosta:
The day I told my mom that I was going to join the U.S. Army Reserve, she said absolutely not. My mom did a one eighty I guess when she started seeing the results. Once I came back from training, she saw that I was very disciplined; I was more proactive. She loves everything that it has done for me and my family.
Angie Acosta. Sgt. Acosta’s sister:
The opportunities that you’ve been given, the training.
Sgt. Acosta:
I knew nothing about computers until I joined the U.S. Army Reserve.
Angie Acosta. Sgt. Acosta’s sister:
I know, I’m like “IT, are you sure?”
Sgt. Acosta:
Look, like I told you, I was going to go to college, and I’m not going to have any debt, unlike you. (laughter)
Angie Acosta. Sgt. Acosta’s sister:
Thanks.
Sgt. Acosta:
I went to college, and I got a bachelor in computer information systems. That degree along with my Army background allowed me to actually get the civilian job that I really, really wanted. I’m a systems engineer for a company where I work regular eight hours, and then I have one weekend a month, you know, I’m a Soldier.
My regular life is my family. I’m home and I’m living a normal life and then I put on a uniform and it’s family again. My role as a team lead for my Soldiers is to educate them. You see people’s potential and you kind of push them at become a leader.
Being in the U.S. Army Reserve, my determination has grown and grown.
Cpt. Galletti:
We did in fact nominate her as one of our top Soldiers. I feel confident that the civilian side could absolutely benefit from training on the military side.
Sgt. Acosta:
I’ve had support from my commander, my recruiter, my fellow battle bodies. The best back up support that I can have to actually achieving my dream job.
They’re very supportive of my family. I’m a mom; I’m a Soldier, a daughter, a sister, a friend.
Erik Casiano. Sgt. Acosta’s fiancé:
Her accomplishments just rubs off for me, so it pushes me to push myself forward. Children have superheroes, and I think, she’s my hero, you know?
Sgt. Acosta:
The U.S. Army Reserve offers a lot, health coverage, you know you get loan, a payment; I was able to get my degree, and not have any debt. When I look at it overall I realize that they’ve given me a lot more than that.
