Face of Defense: Real Estate Agent Chooses to Serve

A little more than two years ago, Juliana Rizzo was a real estate agent living in Long Island, N.Y. when she decided it was time to fulfill her childhood dream. That dream was to join the United States Army.

“As a little girl, I always wanted to join the Army, because my father and grandfather spent several years in the military and served their country proudly,”

Even though her leaders said they already were impressed by her work ethic and determination in keeping track of more than $3.5 million worth of unit equipment, Rizzo’s most attention-grabbing performance was yet to come.

“When we were in (Hohenfels, Germany) going through ‘Iron Warrior’ training, she went up to the Iraqi role players and started talking to them in their own language,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Chad Cuomo, “Nobody knew that she spoke Arabic, and it especially shocked the role players; she was definitely the hero of the battle out there.”

Rizzo was promoted to specialist shortly after arriving in Iraq and went to the sergeant’s promotion board four months later.

“I just try to give 100 percent in everything I do,” Rizzo said, “and I always try to do above what is expected of me.”

The soon-to-be sergeant is taking online classes toward a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She said she hopes to one day be an Army career counselor or an Arabic linguist.

[just another no-other-option recruit]

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