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# Airman’s Hispanic Heritage Fuels Passionate Career

By Staff Sgt. John Linzmeier,154th Wing Public Affairs - Hawaii Air National Guard

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - At 17 years old, Antonieta Jara embarked on a solo journey from Ecuador to the United States, bringing just two suitcases, a few memorized English phrases, and aspirations to forge a better future.

This move marked her reunion with her birth country. However, the young teen felt a profound sense of dislocation, having no recollection of the United States after migrating to Ecuador as a toddler.

Nothing about her situation felt easy, but Jara said she held onto a no-fail mentality stemming from the many strong women in her family who always set high expectations.

“That’s just how things were at home,” she said. “If there was something that was difficult that needed to get done, it was expected of us to always find a way. I think that’s one of those qualities that you’ll find across many Hispanic cultures: We are stubborn, feisty, don’t give up easily, and we are quick to adapt to achieve our goals.”

Over the next two years, Jara diligently worked toward earning a college degree, juggling multiple part-time jobs to stay afloat. The relentless cycle of studies and work left little room for leisure or rest.

She would later say this period of her life was unsustainable and could have led to her becoming “one of the statistics.” She changed her trajectory after a conversation with a veteran classmate.

“He helped me recognize that what I needed was economic stability, and he assured me that joining the military would solve that for me and much more,” said Jara. “So, after talking to him, I went to a recruiter and ended up making the best decision of my life.”

Airman Jara completed a four-year enlistment as a public health technician, emerging with experience, a healthy savings account, and a fully funded education opportunity through the Post-9/11 GI Bill. She felt a sense of responsibility to give back and continued her service with the Air Force Reserves while pursuing a biology degree.

During her active-duty service, she crossed paths with another person who would impact her life: Miriam Hernandez, who would become her partner. 

Jara said Hernandez’s background was profoundly relatable, as she immigrated from Mexico and worked up to a thriving career in the Air Force.

They completed military tours together in Texas, Virginia, and Hawaii, where Miriam retired and Jara joined the Hawaii Air National Guard.

Jara said this was the first time she experienced such a diverse set of cultures within the military. It was seen throughout command sections, including high-ranking female leaders who were also considered minorities.

“A diverse force is important because it shows the make-up of our country,” she said. “Leveraging in other people’s backgrounds facilitates strategic bonds with other countries by understanding how to better communicate our objectives to form new collaborative efforts across the globe.”

After joining the 154th Medical Group and becoming a senior noncommissioned officer, Jara volunteered on several missions, including Hilo’s volcanic eruption and COVID-19 response. She was commissioned as a public health officer in 2021.

As a first lieutenant, Jara now supports the Office of the Surgeon General Pacific Air Forces as the executive officer.

“I was already in the military for 14 years before I commissioned,” she said. “If anyone has any doubts that it’s too late for them, concerns about their skin color, concerns about having an accent, or a different background, I think that the Air Force opens its doors for a lot of people who are just like me.” 

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National Guard members discuss the meaning of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Hawaii Air National Guard

Hispanic Heritage Month