Story byย Staff Sgt. Kimberly Hillย
Although English isnโt his first language, his excitement when speaking about his upcoming plans to attend college, his new girlfriend, or his role in the California National Guard, causes the words to spill out seamlessly with little hesitation.
Optimistic and enthusiastic, itโs hard to believe that Pfc. Pereyraโs journey to become a Soldier and serve in the Cal Guard was anything but typical.
While every enlistee faces the usual hardships when they ship off to Basic Combat Trainingโ missing their family, adjusting to a new environment, and the countless other aches and pains that come with the contractโ Pereyra had a series of obstacles to overcome before even signing on the dotted line.
Just two years ago, Pereyraโs American dream was quickly turning into a nightmare. Broke, facing homelessness, and an incapacitating language barrier were some of the challenges the then 22-year-old faced when he moved to the U.S.
After living in his hometown of Ayapango, Mexico for nearly two decades, Enrique Pereyra decided it was time to pursue his lifelong goal of joining the Cal Guard.
The 24-year-old was born in California, but left for Mexico with his family when he was five. In 2019 he returned to the U.S. to live with a relative in Orange County, determined to join the military and make a new life for himself. He made an appointment to talk with Cal Guard recruiters, and Pereyra was thrilled that they were able to obtain a BCT ship-date for him in mid-March of 2020. This training would provide him with life skills, a steady income, all while giving back to his community.
Then, in early March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S, causing stay at home orders, travel disruptions, and a pause in military schools.
โMy school date was in March, but it was cancelled due to COVID-19,โ said Pereyra.
His perilous situation took a turn for the worse when he lost his housing. Amidst the chaos of the Coronavirus, no future date was being announced yet for his BCT, which would have provided him both housing and pay.
โWe were concerned about his living environment and family situation, and we didnโt want him to sleep on the streets. We came to know his funds were limited,โ said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Devon Canty, with the Recruiting and Retention Battalionโs Regional Command South (RRB RCP-S).
Dedicated RSP leadership acted quickly to find him temporary lodging and support.
Recruiters routinely keep in close contact with their troops as they prepare to head out for training, and are tasked with ensuring they are supported throughout the program, said U.S. Army Maj. Timothy Wobig, RRB RCP-S deputy commander.
โSeveral of us helped him with food, rides, getting his driverโs license, and a short-term job, along with a quick ship date,โ said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Carlos Franco, an RSP site coordinator with the RRB RCP-S.
Franco, who was born in Colombia, connected with Pereyra when he first walked into the office. Both Cal Guard Soldiers come from similar backgrounds and joined the military while adapting to a new country, he said.
At the time, Pereyra had difficulty with English. He moved to Mexico when he was only five, and so what little fluency he may have had was lost over the 20 years that he grew up there. Even ordering from fast food restaurants was at first a big challenge for him, he said.
โIt was nice because I felt comfortable with Franco; I didnโt speak English as much, and Franco spoke both. I would ask him something in Spanish and he always answered me in English, so I could learn,โ he said.
Pereyra believes that with the support he received, he was able to enter BCT motivated. It was a difficult, and some days he felt like giving up. The mental challenges were harder than any physical stress, he said.
โThe support I received from these leaders allowed me to feel not only protected, but I also no longer felt alone,โ said Pereyra.
Mail during BCT was the hardest challenge for Pereyra, being the only recruit not receiving any. His mother, who lives in Mexico, was having issues sending him letters. She connected with the RSP cadre and they were able to scan a letter to send to the young private through a text.
โI didnโt understand how something so little like a scanned letter could mean so very much to me,โ he said.
Pereyra returned from BCT and Advanced Individual Training this past September. An automated logistical specialist with the 40th Infantry Division, he also currently works full-time at his base, JFTB. As a landscaper, he takes pride in ensuring the grounds are immaculate enough to make even the saltiest sergeant major proud.
With his training complete, the young Pfc. has set new milestones for himself, intending to improve his English and pursue a college degree in either engineering or psychology, he said.
โIโd say if youโre worried about the language barrier or anything else holding you back, donโt. Just go for it. Everything is possible, but you really have to put effort in to make it happen.”
