Conflicts in the Middle East

Nichola Aregano (Turtle Clan) was a highly motivated, straight-A high school athlete who decided to join the U.S. Marine Corps, aiming for the "top" of the military, despite a lack of family tradition in service. Driven by her love for teamwork and physical activity, she deferred college, planning to eventually pursue a degree in physical education to become a sports coach.

After enlisting, Nichola Aregano-Diaz extended her service as a corporal and satellite operator, volunteering for a third tour in Iraq despite the challenges of extreme heat, lack of freedom in dress, and combat conditions, believing in finishing the mission and highly recommending the military opportunity.

Shane Hill (Wolf Clan) enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school in 1989, serving during the Gulf War and traveling extensively in Europe and the Middle East, where his radio communications training and exposure to other cultures led him toward a career in Information Technology.

After a layoff from IBM, Shane discovered a passion for teaching while instructing at a vocational school. He is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Information Systems at Marist College with the ultimate goal of earning a doctorate and becoming a college professor, emphasizing that education is the key to watching people flourish.

Chief Warrant Officer Tom Jones (Turtle Clan) joined the Army on September 11, 1989, and the events of 9/11/2001 led to his personal involvement in the war on terror, including tours in Kuwait and Iraq where he worked as a tech expert on sophisticated Patriot missile air defense systems.

A proud career highlight was his unit winning two prestigious Army Awards for Maintenance Excellence in 2005 for a program he documented. Nearing the end of his 20-year service, Tom plans to earn a master's degree and return home to the Nation to build a life with his four children, noting that while the Army builds strong teams, his only regret is the time missed with his family.

Heather Kuhl (Wolf Clan), who comes from a family tradition of Air Force service, enlisted in the United States Air Force in January 2000, motivated partly by a desire to achieve a higher rank than her father.

Though initially set on becoming an air traffic controller, she was disqualified due to needing corrective lenses but accepted the appealing alternative of a command and control position, where she will watch radar and direct pilots.

Heather sought the discipline of the military and looks forward to taking pride in her accomplishments, despite anticipating missing her tight-knit family.

William "Will" Kuhl (Wolf Clan) plans to follow the military tradition of his grandfather, father, and sister by enlisting in the United States Air Force upon graduating high school.

Having grown up as an "Air Force brat," Will aspires to become an aircraft mechanic, following in his father's footsteps. He has already developed a strong work ethic through three years in the Nation’s Youth Work/Learn program, where he held jobs ranging from archaeology at a Nation site to maintenance at the RV Park.