Portraits of Wolf Pack Women: Garcia

  • Published
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  
Name: Staff Sgt. Virginia Garcia

Hometown: Bryan, Texas

Duty Title: 8th Force Support Squadron fitness specialist and special events coordinator

Job Description/mission statement: My job is to provide year round fitness and recreation to military and civilian members assigned to Kunsan.
As special events coordinator, I coordinate monthly sports events to boost morale thoughout the base and other events such as our portions of the Kunsan Olympics, block parties and wing events. I also help those who want to put together 5k's for their specific organizations and observances.

Years in Air Force: 8.5 years

Female inspiration and why? The women of my family; against all odds and stereotypes they succeeded beyond others of the same situation.
My mother only received a 2nd grade Mexican education at a little ranch in the heart of Mexico. She immigrated to the United States and became a citizen. To become a citizen, one must pass the test which includes U.S. history, basic math and of course English. She learned all this despite her limited education in Mexico. She, along with my father, own a house and are well into the early years of their retirement having provided their children a better opportunity than they had.

My two older sisters (and two brothers) also immigrated at a very young age. They had the Mexican immigrant stereotype and treatment in school and they all (four older siblings) had babies as teenagers in high school. Despite all of this, they graduated from high school. One of my sisters graduated in the top 10 percent of her class in a 5A school. But they also surpassed yet another stereotype, that those who have children in high school "don't amount to much." All of them are very successful business owners, and one of my sisters also graduated in the top 10 percent of her class at Texas A&M University. My family went from living in a roofless mud brick house in Mexico to successful lives in the U.S. with more than the average American family accomplishes. I was the first to be born in the U.S. and the first to join the military. I plan on submitting my package for Officer Training School in 6 months; the next board. The women in my family prove that with drive and determination anything can be accomplished.