JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
Nine service members from the three major military installations in the local area were recently selected as 2012 Military Ambassadors for Joint Base San Antonio.
The Army, Marine, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard members will represent their respective services at San Antonio-area community events, including nearly 150 activities associated with Fiesta San Antonio April 19-29. Ambassadors will also participate in parades and visit local schools, nursing homes and retirement facilities throughout the year.
"The ambassador program is another avenue for the services to get their message out," said Bill Gaines, chief of civic outreach at the 502nd Air Base Wing headquartered at nearby JBSA-Fort Sam Houston.
"Over the course of a year, the ambassadors have a chance to utilize their talents and skills, and really expand on them. It's certainly a learning experience," Gaines said.
"They'll participate in local festivities throughout the year and have an opportunity to meet local leaders, with Fiesta being the highlight simply because of its exposure and the time spent (in the community)," he said.
To retain the uniqueness and significance of the program, military services in the San Antonio area selected their own ambassadors on behalf of JBSA.
Prior to JBSA's establishment in 2010, each installation selected its own ambassadors.
2012 JBSA U.S. Army Ambassadors
Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Locket, U.S. Army South; and Sgt. 1st Class Rosalba Martinez, Company G, 232nd Medical Battalion.
2012 JBSA U.S. Marine Corps Ambassador
Sgt. William Alvarez, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division.
2012 JBSA U.S. Navy Ambassadors
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Barbara Rodriguez, Navy Medicine Training Center; and Gunners 1st Mate Steve Duran, Navy Recruiting District San Antonio.
2012 JBSA U.S. Air Force Ambassadors
2012 Joint Base San Antonio U.S. Air Force Ambassadors Tech. Sgt. Amanda Caldwell, 677th Network Warfare Wing; and Staff Sgt. Joshua Hite, 322nd Training Squadron, 37th Training Wing.
2012 JBSA U.S. Coast Guard Ambassadors
Petty Officer 1st Class Tim Cardenas, U.S. Coast Guard Recruiting, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Miriam Jimenez, U.S. Coast Guard Recruiting.