b'Jose BallejoArmy Veteran, VIP Instructor, Union MemberSuppose youre lucky enoughto be Within those two years, Jose chosen for the Fort Carson Veterans in Pipinggot married and became a father (VIP) welding program. In that case, you willto two sons. His first duty station have the unique opportunity to be taught bywas at Fort Lewis, WA, as part of one of your brothers, Jose Ballejo, who, at thethe 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry time of his acceptance into the VIP program,Regiment (1-5 IN B CO). He re-had served in the Army for 22 years. membered going through BasicJose grew up in Hereford, a small town inTraining and thinking he just Texas, which he noted is often called the beefwanted to go home. A single capital of the world. In the summers, he wouldmom had raised him; it was al-work in the fields, following the trucks clippingways just Jose, his brother, and onions. After that, Jose and his brother workedtheir mom. Jose said, My mom in family restaurants. He played football in highsaid, Hey, you said you would do school and always gravitated toward anythingthis. You have to fulfill your obli-physical. Jose had always been drawn to the mil- gation. The Army sent him to itary and joined the Army at 17. He began hisKorea, and his family moved back military career in the National Guard, stating, Ito Texas. After one year, Jose went was a delayed entry. The summer before myback to Fort Lewis, WA. He was senior year, my mom signed the papers so that,in Fort Lewis when 9/11 hap-in 1994, I could join three days after graduation.pened. It was a bad time for I headed to Fort Benning in Georgia. I startedAmerica, for most infantrymen. in June, and once I finished basic AIT (Ad- We knew it would be the ultimate vanced Individual Training), I knew I wanted totest for usmany of my friends do this forever. Jose said after a soldier gradu- who were supposed to get outJose ates basic and AIT, soldiers going into the Na- stayed on. The whole worldBallejotional Guard must wait six months before theychanged on that day, he stated. can go on active duty. When Jose was eligible, Jose said, I received orders for the Army put a hiring freeze on anyone withAlaska, and I was there from prior service, so he ended up waiting two years2001 until 2007. I made Staff before joining. Sergeant there and I deployed to 8 opsCAREER'