Saint Martin’s University Proudly Recognizes Sgt. Armando Garcia Jr. As the 14th America’s Service Heroes Scholarship Recipient

Sergeant Armando Garcia Jr., a member of the U.S. Army, was chosen by Saint Martin’s University as its 14th recipient of the America’s Service Heroes Scholarship. The award was announced on Nov. 5, 2022, at the Saint Martin’s Gala, the University’s annual major scholarship fundraising event.

“Saint Martin’s University is committed to educating active-duty service members, veterans and military family members. We have offered programs for decades that are tailored to their needs,” said Dr. David Olwell, dean of engineering and director of university operations at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord extension campus. “Providing scholarships such as the America’s Service Heroes Scholarship keeps faith with that commitment. We are grateful to our many generous donors who made this scholarship possible.”

Sgt. Garcia was nominated for this year’s America’s Service Hero Scholarship because of his commitment to earn a bachelor’s degree in political science: “I am so grateful to have the opportunity to study at Saint Martin’s and am humbled to be a recipient of the America’s Service Heroes Scholarship.”

Sgt. Garcia is assigned to the 4^th Battalion, 160^th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. In December 2021, he graduated from the Army’s Basic Leadership Course as a member of the Commandant’s List, ranking in the top 20 percent of over 200 students. He was awarded Army Achievement Medals, an Army Commendation Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.

Prior to joining the Army, Garcia attended Sierra Vista High School in Las Vegas, Nev., where he graduated a year early. In the fall of 2018, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as 35N, Signals Intelligence Analyst. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Still, Okla., and went on to attend Advanced Individual Training at Goodfellow Air Force Base in Texas.

In 2019, he reported to his first duty station at Fort Campbell where he served on the Delta Company, 326^th Brigade Engineering Battalion, 1^st Brigade Combat Team, 101^st Airborne Division (AASLT) as a member of one of the Multi-Functional Platoon’s Low-Level Voice Intercept Teams. Garcia went on to complete various skills training and in June of 2021 married his wife, Melissa Tamayo-Garcia.

His future goals involve serving a distinguished career in the Corps of Non-Commissioned Officers and pursuing a law degree in the hopes of becoming an immigration lawyer.