Serving in the Army Reserve: Information Technology Specialist

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.