The Defense Department recognizes the vital contributions of skilled service members year-round, honoring their dedication to the nation’s defense.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jose Velazquez, a noncommissioned officer in charge of mental health with the 325th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, works to ensure airmen feel heard, safe and at home.
Velazquez relocated to the United States from Mexico City due to his father’s career.
"It was tough having to leave [friends behind] because at 10 years old, right, that's your primary focus," he said. "The language barrier was probably my biggest challenge. Not only was I trying to make new friends, but I was also trying to learn a language."
For many new arrivals, adapting to a different environment tests their resilience and determination. "I expected for people to not be as inviting or kind, especially because I didn't know the language," Velazquez said. "Everyone was always super welcoming and nice, even when I didn't know [what they were saying] they would always try to help me. I'm very thankful for that.”
Although his transition into the U.S. came with a lot of challenges, he said it opened up a lot of opportunities, including the opportunity to join the Air Force.
Velazquez noted that overcoming these challenges paved the way for significant opportunities, including his decision to serve in the Air Force.
"I had a couple of friends that had already started the enlistment process, and, when they started telling me about it, I was interested so I went to a recruiter to ask some more questions," he said.
Nine years later, Velazquez oversees an entire mental health flight. This involves managing patient care schedules, coordinating higher levels of care, deployment and PCS clearances, and maintaining a certification as an alcohol and drug abuse counselor.
"Even though he's not an officer, he's taught me so many things that I can use as ," said Capt. Bethany Young, the squadron's interim flight commander for mental health, the squadron's interim flight commander for mental health. "He had so much patience for me when I got here. I feel like his background made him more prepared to have that patience with me and not get really frustrated when I didn't know things. Instead, he helped guide me through different situations without making me feel incompetent," Young said.
Velazquez also volunteers at the local elementary schools when they ask for bilingual speakers to read to children.
"After talking to some of them, sometimes they feel super scared," explained Velazquez. "They just don't think they're ever going to learn English, and I know I felt that way at one point, too. So, being able to talk to them and mentor them I think has been one of the more rewarding things I've been able to do."