Raymond Jimenez

To this day, SSG. Raymond Jimenez is still serving his community as a Firefighter. We thank you for your service.

1. Full Name?
Raymond Jimenez

2. What branch of the armed forces did you serve
US Army

3. What was your rank?
SSG

4. What were your years of service?
2007 – Present

5. What motivated you to join?
The thrill of adventure, and to gain valuable experience to establish a career.

6. Tell me about your boot-camp experience?
My experience was a culture shock. A lot of young wide eyed kids my age ready to explore the world outside of their parent’s supervision. I enlisted during the winter months. My first time on a plane was to get to basic combat training.

7. How did you get through it?
I didn’t take any situation personal. Someone would occasionally get a face full of Drill Sergeant but as long as you stood at attention and kept your mouth shut you were good-to-go.

8. Where did you serve the majority of the time in the service?
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. I’m originally from Southern California but Missouri has grown on me so much I now live there.

9. Tell me about some special people you met while serving?
Many great people from all ranks. Generals to Private. Some that stand out are my Drill Sergeants from BCT and Drill Sergeant Academy. DS Means, and DS Spratt. They’re nearly identical to each other, with 6 years apart during my military service, and it motivated me to provide the same leadership to my subordinates.

10. Who was the most influential to you while serving?
My Drill Sergeants were the most influential. DS Means, DS Spratt, and DS M. Florez.
11. Tell me a funny story you experienced that could only happen in the military.
As a Drill Sergeant, during my charge of quarters (CQ) shift I decided to make my security checks. It was passed lights-out. I heard voices coming from the second floor male bay, so I scaled the building and stood on a platform outside the window. I stood there for about 5 minutes listening to the trainee’s conversations, then I went off on them from the window. None of them knew where my voice was coming from so a curious trainee decided to ask, “Where are you Drill Sergeant?”. I told him, “Look out your window, Private”. That was the night I’m pretty sure I traumatized a trainee into a heart attack.

12. What did you get out of the military?
Everyone becomes a leader whether inside or outside of the military. All our choices come down to applying yourself and not being afraid to make a mistake.

13. Best and worse food you ate?
The Thanksgiving meals are the best. Nothing beats home-style comfort food and Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on what you are grateful for. The worst is the mystery meat.

14. What did you go on to do as a career post- service?
Firefighting

15. Would you do it again?
Definitely would sign that line again.

16. What do you enjoy doing on your spare time?
Family
Food
Friends

17. What does the American flag mean to you?
It means assimilating to the American culture regardless of what racial lines you are from. This great country and flag the bloodline of men and women who have worked extremely hard to establish what we enjoy today.