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NEWS | May 9, 2020

1st. Lt. Marilyn Medallon talks Heritage and Family

By (Courtesy article) 3d Medical Command (Deployment Support)

The Army recognizes May as Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and to recognize the contributions made by Soldiers of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. The 3d is highlighting 1st. Lt. Marilyn Medallon, a Soldier, with a bright future of service.

Medallon is currently the Aide de Camp to 3d MC(DS) DCG-Professional, BG Rosen, and also working a 70H, which is Medical Operations and Planning Officer. Operations has been a face-paced environment but I enjoy the planning process and seeing the result of my work.

I was born in Hawaii and a first generation American. My mom's side of the family is from El Salvador and my dad from the Philippines.

I joined the Army as an opportunity to further my education with assistance from the ROTC Program. I graduated with a Bachelors in Neuroscience from the University of Colorado and I'm grateful that most of that was covered by the Army. Simultaneously, I now have the opportunity to serve my country which is a great honor being the first in my family to.

Similar to my background, the Army is truly a melting pot that accepts every culture and background. One of the best training experiences I’ve had was attending the Equal Opportunity Leader Course that emphasized the idea that the Army accepted and treated everyone equally while allowing you to learn from other cultures. This is how my upbringing was. I learned traditions of my Hispanic culture while ensuring that I firmly kept my Filipino heritage. It's what the Army does. They have programs that remind you of the multiple cultures that make up our structure.

Family and diversity have remained with me my entire life. Growing up I enjoyed judo and wrestling and have passed that love on to my niece. Now, I enjoy weight lifting. It's a new thing and it's fulfilling seeing the results. I'm a fitness junky and if there's a challenge I'm willing to take it, just this last fall a group of 3D MC(DS) Soldiers trained an ran in the Army ten-miler. This was an amazing experience to run with so many of my more “experienced” and “mature” 3d colleagues.