Gutierres excited for military opportunity
Submitted by jcht2010 on
LaWard native Ismael Gutierres always knew he wanted to be in the military.
“I just always knew I wanted to serve my country and protect the people and country I love,” he said, “I chose the Navy due to my dad previously being in the Navy.”
As a reservist, Gutierres may or may not have ever been deployed, so he volunteered.
“Reservists can get deployed or apply to be deployed, or mobilized, which is why it is important to be ready to go at all times,” he said “This is a big part of the reserves. You fully accept that at any time, the Navy could need you somewhere and you have to put your entire life on hold for a long time to serve our nation.”
After volunteering to be mobilized, and finally being chosen, Gutierres, had to make arrangements for his finances, his home, and his beloved cat.
“You have to get yourself physically and mentally ready for what you’re about to do,” he said.
Gutierres is currently traveling, training for his upcoming mission, and he is excited to see what the world has in store for him in his travels.
“There are a lot of things we take for granted, like our phones, and other first world luxuries. For now, I still have access to them, but it will not always be like that, and even in the States, there are times I can not access anything. It’s not those luxuries I miss the most about home, but my family and friends, and my fat Maine Coon cat, Scratchy. Being an older cat, she is in good health but I do hope she is still there when I get home – whenever that is.
Stationed out of Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, Gutierres is a Petty Officer Third Class, and a master-at-arms, or the Navy’s Military Police. He was activated around December of 2014, but didn’t leave home until this past September.
When not deployed, Gutierres said being a reservist is a juggling act, but one he loves.
“I’ve been deployed for two months, but my total deployment is estimated at a year,” he said, “I chose to be a ‘weekend warrior’ and go into the reserves. We do drill one weekend every month and a minimum of two weeks out of the year. Being in the reserves is more challenging than people would think. Not only do we have a Navy career to manage, we also have to manage our personal life. The more you increase in rank and stay in service, the more collateral duties you pick up so it can be very stressful at times.”
Combine juggling the two, and a constant possibility of mobilization, and it’s no wonder Gutierres volunteered for active duty. His love for his country is deep, and his sense of responsibility is strong. He remains excited about his service, and although he misses those he loves – both two – and four-legged, he knows he made the right choice for him, and for the nation he cares so deeply for.
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