CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Many people can trace their American lineage back for several generations. As their families continue to grow over the years, the culture and heritage of their immigrant roots begin to fade from their everyday life. However, my American lineage begins with my sisters, our young cousins and me, for we make up the first generation of our family to be born in the U.S.
Both of my parents were born and raised in the Philippines. My father grew up in the small provincial town of Umingan and my mother lived just outside of Manila's metropolitan center. On a bet and barely into adulthood, my dad took the U.S. Navy enlistment exam and shortly thereafter Seaman Recruit Noveras was on his way to America to serve a new country and a new home.
Years later, he would meet and marry my mother bringing not only her and the rest of his family to the United States but also the foundations of his heritage.
The Filipino culture emphasizes hard work, discipline, respect for one's elders and the importance to one's family. Growing up, these values were infused into all aspects of my upbringing.
When I was younger, I used to complain about how strict my parents could be. We were never allowed to miss a single day of school and giving less than our best on anything we did, no matter how trivial, was not acceptable
As I compared my life to that of my friends, I couldn't help but feel like I was missing all the "freedoms" that the others were allowed to experience. I remember thinking, "This is so unfair!" "We're in America, not the Philippines!"
What I didn't realize until much later was that my parents' insistence on bringing us up "the Filipino way" prepared me for my future and laid the perfect foundation for a career in the military.
As members of the U.S. military, we are expected to make certain sacrifices and give up many freedoms that we would have been able to enjoy had we remained civilians.
Sometimes we're called to cancel long-time plans with family and friends because of mission requirements. Other times, we're expected to work long hours with no relief of free time in sight and there are times when even though we may not agree, it is our duty to carry on with 110 percent effort.
While some new Airmen may find this way of life difficult and unfamiliar, I have unwittingly lived these challenges since childhood. The values that my culture emphasizes are the same ideals that the military calls us to follow everyday.
Hard work and discipline translate simply to two of our Air Force core values, "Integrity First" and "Excellence in All We Do." Respect for one's elders translated into senior ranking individuals and the importance of and duty to one's family, for us our Air Force family, mirrors the remaining core value "Service before Self."
While I still have many challenges to overcome and life changes to adjust to, I owe my relatively smooth transition into the military culture to the major role my own heritage played in my upbringing.