Latinas in the U.S. Military
Serving the Country with Pride
Sergeant Hosanna L. Feraud
Manpower Plans & Policy Division
United States Marine Corps
“I joined the Marine Corps to make a
difference, to give back to my country,
and to do something no one in my
family had done,” shares Sergeant
Hosanna L. Feraud who was 21 years
old when she made the decision to
make the Marine Corps a career. “I
had a wonderful child, and my husband
and I wanted to give him everything
we didn’t have growing up. The Marine
Corps has provided my family with a
strong foundation to have a better life.”
Sergeant Feraud enlisted in the
Marine Corps in May of 2012. Upon completion of recruit training
at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, she reported to Marine
Combat Training Battalion, Camp Geiger, North Carolina.
Being a Marine has allowed Feraud the opportunity to develop her
public speaking skills, confidence, and leadership skills. “We all
strive to be the best, to get to the next level, to achieve more than we
did the day before,” she shares. “My family is a source of strength for
me, knowing that they want me to exceed makes me drive myself
to be the best I can be.”
Julia Y. Herrera (Civ)
FinancialManagement Analyst
United States Marine Corps
“I joined the United States Marine Corps
because I wanted to thank the USA for
allowing me the opportunity to stay in
this country,” says Julia Y. Herrera.
Serving for 15 years, Herrera was
born in Tijuana, Mexico and brought
to the USA at the age of three. “I
By Gloria Romano-Barrera
They embrace their role as a Latina leader and
serve as a role model to motivate young Latinas
interested in the military. Meet 16 Latinas who
are most deserving of the National LATINA Style
Distinguished Military Service Award as they have
demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and an
outstanding potential for military service success.
Positively reflecting the United States military, they
are role models for other young women personifying
selfless service to the nation.
Specialist Melanie M. Adamski
United States Army
“I joined the military because I felt a
sense of duty,” says Specialist Melanie
M. Adamski. “I have always been
good with discipline and I have always
wanted the brotherhood one feels from
being a part of something bigger
than oneself.”
Born in El Paso, Texas, Adamski
enlisted in the United States Army on
June 2014 and completed Basic Training
at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
For Adamski, experiencing the 9/11
events on her screen in her apartment
in California fueled the sparked to join.
“I wanted to wear the best jersey of the best team in the world,” she shares.
Accepted to Tarleton State University, she is pursuing a degree in
Business Administration and Psychology. Her goals are to attend
Basic Leaders Course, become a noncommissioned officer. Her
long-term goals are to earn her Master’s degree, become a Drill
Instructor and become Warrant Officer.
28 www.latinastyle.com LATINAStyle Vol. 23, No. 6, 2017