By Major Angelina M. Urbina
United States Air Force
Never in a million years did I
imagine I would serve in the U.S.
military. Prior to joining the United
Latina Letters From the Front
States Air Force, I was an educator working
as an Academic Coordinator for the
University of Montana Upward Bound
Federal TRIO Program. In this role, I
assisted first-generation, low-income and
under-represented students graduate from
high school and enroll in college. As a
first-generation college student myself, this
was my dream job! I enjoyed watching my
students achieve their educational goals and
it was rewarding to know that I might have
influenced their life’s success. However, after
10 years, I yearned for my own personal and
professional growth opportunities. In 2010,
at 30-years-old and as a single mom I took
the biggest leap of faith and “crossed into the
Blue” as a commissioned officer.
When I began my military career, I had no idea
what to expect. Since I knew I was going to be a
little bit older than my peers at Officer Training
School, my mantra was “just don’t be last”. How is
that for an expectation? However, after the initial
shock of the first few days in training, something
profound happened. I discovered an entirely
different side of myself I did not know existed. What
I cherished most about OTS is that every
experience put me face to face with a raw version
of myself. I had to acknowledge my strengths, my
weaknesses and my fears. From my first few
weeks in training until now, the Air Force has
continually pushed me to be a better person,
mother, wife, officer and leader.
Over the past 11 years, my family and I have
packed more unique experiences and memories
than we ever expected in a lifetime. I have had the
privilege to take care of Airmen and their families in
my job as a Force Support Officer. I have supported
two Presidential inaugurations, served on the
United States Air Force Thunderbirds, lived abroad
in an overseas tour in Germany, and now serving at
the Pentagon. These are all accomplishments this
small town Latina never dreamed possible, but
achieved through the opportunity to serve.
The Air Force has blessed my career with
some incredible highlights, but military life also has
challenges. As a wife and mother, work/life balance
can be difficult. At times, the mission demands long
hours, missed family events and frequent moves.
Then Second Lieutenant Angelina Urbina
celebrates graduating from Officer
Training School at Maxwell AFB, AL
with her son Elijah Simpson. April 14,
2010.
These are all sacrifices my family endures. My
husband Jorge, sons Elijah, Luke, and my Mom Gail
are my true heroes. We serve as a family and I am
forever grateful for their grace, patience, and
strength.
Capt. Angelina Urbina experiences her
first familiarization flight in a F-16
Fighting Falcon with the USAF
Thunderbirds. November 24, 2015.
Although this path seemed unlikely, the
military has given me the confidence to grow in my
life’s purpose. Serving makes me feel happy and
the most like myself as a person, a wife, a mother,
and an officer. Being Latina has enriched my
experience every step of the way drawing from a
legacy of family, strength, resilience, and hard work.
If I can do it, anyone can! LS
Want to comment or have any questions
on this article?
Email us at info@latinastyle.com
Capt. Angelina Urbina represents the United States Air Force as Thunderbird #10 at an
airshow at Barksdale AFB, LA. May 1, 2016.
36 www.latinastyle.com LATINAStyle V ol. 26, No. 6, 2020
/www.latinastyle.com
link
