Decorated Fil-Am US military officer: Never doubt yourself, never forget your roots

Published March 26, 2013 2:30pm

A ranking Filipina-American officer serving the US military has this piece of advice to give for people who might be second-guessing themselves: Never doubt yourself, never give up, never forget your roots.

An article on Asian Journal on Friday quoted Air National Guard (ANG) chief diversity officer Colonel Shirley S. Raguindin, who has had difficulties of her own as a woman in the US military.

“Look forward to the future but never forget where you came from. Establish and achieve the highest expectations and goals for yourself and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it,” she said in an email to the publication.

“Most importantly, never doubt yourself, your capabilities or ever give up,” Raguindin continued.

Raguindin, 48 years old, is currently the chief diversity officer of the Air National Guard, and is the senior advisor to Director Lt. Gen. Stanley Clarke III.

The Asian Journal noted that Raguindin is one of the most well-decorated Filipinas in the US military.

Some awards conferred to her glowing career include being the first recipient of the Filipina Women’s Network 100 Most Influential Filipinas in the US award, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, 4th oak leaf cluster; the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Joint Services Meritorious Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star.

Raguindin's job entails strategic planning to "create a diverse and inclusive environment" for over 106,000 airmen and civilians in 89 Wings of the US Air National Guard nationwide, according to her profile on social networking site LinkedIn.

She also serves as an advisor to the National Guard Bureau.

Raguindin was born and raised in Waipahu, Hawaii. Her parents, Isabelo and Maria, hail from Ilocos Norte.

At the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Raguindin served as the Detachment 175 Air Force ROTC commander, where she was a distinguished military graduate, while taking up meteorology.

She also has a Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma.

Raguindin was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant after she completed her undergraduate studies, and began active service in the US Air Force in 1986.

Aside from her military work, Raguindin is also the vice president of communications and publications of the Pan-Pacific American Leaders and Mentors, and guides youths who come from high-risk schools.

Obstacles

According to the story, Raguindin has faced numerous obstacles in her life, including joining the US military. She recalled how her parents and friends told her that the military was for men only, even though she received a letter of endorsement to the US Air Force Academy by the late Senator Daniel Inouye, a staunch supporter of Filipino war veterans.

Raguindin also had to be away from her comfort zones because of her job. However, she did the best she can to learn, using the time to "gain leadership skills and to understand new cultures by traveling to several countries like Japan, Philippines, Korea and Italy. I missed my family in Hawaii but always kept touch via telephone, letters and the internet.”

Raguindin said recruiting a diverse workforce was important because US "military operations are executed in complex, uncertain and rapidly changing environments.” She said military personnel must know how "to respond to new and emerging threats.”

For her, it is important to “lose herself” and sacrifice herself for a greater purpose.

“I learned a long time ago to find myself, I needed to ‘lose myself’ in the service of others,” Raguindin told the Asian Journal.

“We are all born with a purpose to leave a legacy and I honor those who have worked hard and sacrificed everything to allow us to live a better life for our families, our communities and for generations to come,” she continued. - Gian C. Geronimo, VVP, GMA News

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