JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
How does a single mother set an example for her four children? She joins the Air Force!
Airman 1st Class Amanda Cervantes, a student in the Medical Education and Training Campus Pharmacy Technician program on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, wants her children to follow her lead by serving in the military.
“I’ve always wanted to give my kids the best example so they make the best decisions in life, which is why I recently joined the Air Force as a reservist,” said Cervantes. “I want them to join, so I’m showing them the way.”
The thirty-five year-old widowed mother from San Diego has additional goals in mind while serving as well. “I know the military will open new doors for me in my civilian career and military career,” she said. “I want to be able to serve my country and I love helping people, which is why I wanted a medical career. I also want to further pursue my previous career as an officer (with the Federal Protective Service) and one day become a leader to give new officers the opportunity for success.”
Cervantes lost her spouse six years ago and has been raising her children by herself while pursuing a master’s degree in psychology, working full time and now, serving in the Air Force. She admits that raising her kids by herself has been the hardest thing she has ever done.
“I know I have a lot of responsibilities and even stretch myself thin sometimes, but I believe that you can do whatever you want and dream of if you really put the work and your heart into it,” she advised. “So far I have been blessed with amazing, loving kids, supportive family, and a great life.”
Despite her circumstances, Cervantes doesn’t let life’s challenges keep her from pushing forward. And she has a message for anyone with their own set of challenges.
“In life, you are your only obstacle, so if you get through that you can do anything. And I know I have much more to accomplish in my life.”
The Medical Education and Training Campus Pharmacy Technician program prepares students to perform both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy operations in both traditional and non-traditional pharmacy practice settings. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard students train together in a joint environment. To learn more about METC go to www.metc.mil.