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NEWS | Oct. 8, 2019

USACAPOC Soldier remains ‘humbled’ to represent the Army Reserve

By By Lt. Col. Jefferson Wolfe, USACAPOC(A) Public Affairs Officer USACAPOV

An Army Reserve Soldier featured in marketing photos still feels humbled about representing the Army Reserve in advertising materials, more than two years later.

The Army Reserve still uses marketing photos featuring Sgt. Mirna M. Averruz - along with Soldiers from other commands - from a July 2017 photo shoot. Recently, one of the pictures appeared on the inside back page of the latest issue of the Army Reserve’s magazine, Warrior Citizen.

She has never found the photos of herself on her own, others have always seen them first and told her about them, she said.

“I felt humbled by their excitement,” Averruz said. “They not only sent me a picture of the advertisement, they bought the magazine or newspaper to show their support.”

The photos were taken at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst as Averruz and other Soldiers worked their way through an obstacle course.

“After the photo shoot, we were informed that our pictures would be used often in various ways,” she said. “Our pictures would be used for online advertisements, pamphlets, magazines, newspapers, etc.”

In 2017, Averruz was a member of the 426th Civil Affairs Battalion, but has since transitioned to A Co., 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, where she is the unit’s full-time, Active Guard Reserve supply sergeant.

At first, she felt nervous about representing the Army Reserve in marketing materials.

“But now, it just gives me more reason to continue performing to the best of my abilities,” Averruz said.

Her unit is aligned with AFRICOM and it stays busy conducting many missions in Africa, she added. Averruz has not been to Africa yet, however, but she is hoping to go on a future mission.

“I attended the AFRICOM Annual Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference in Germany, and was able to interact with African partner nation representatives as well as witness first hand one of AFRICOM’s strategies being implemented,” she said. “I was able to witness many nations unite and cross talk on NCO development plans, goals, strengths and weaknesses. These representatives were very insightful and gave me a better idea to what we can do to aid in their nations growing capabilities.”

Averruz said the best part of the Army Reserve career has been the opportunities she has been given.

“The Army Reserve AGR program has helped me see many challenges facing the reserve force, from deployments to training,” she said.

Being assigned to USACAPOC and a member of a civil affairs unit has helped Averruz increase her knowledge about logistics and learn more about the Army Reserve's capabilities.

“Being new to the AGR program, this unit is helping me prepare for future assignments by constantly challenging me and my knowledge in supply,” she added.


The photo gallery can be found at this link:
U.S. Army Reserve military occupational specialty photo shoot
Sgt. Ian Rivera, a U.S. Army Reserve Soldier from Waianae, Hawaii, navigates an obstacle course during a promotional photo shoot for Army Reserve marketing and recruiting purposes at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, July 25, 2017. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Master Sgt. Michel Sauret)
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