Medford, Ore — NBC5 is saluting our veterans and active duty soldiers all week long leading up to veterans day.
Specialist Mitchell Sierra has been given The Oregon Soldier of the Year and a candidate for National Soldier of the Year.
“The epitome of a soldier, I think, is being an infantryman,” said Spc. Sierra.
Oregon Army National Guard Specialist Mitchell Sierra is one of the best of the best.
“You need to uphold a standard to the highest level and you also need to be a leader,” he said.
Inspired by his uncle and grandfather, Sierra enlisted at 19 years old.
“When I was young there were two things in my head, be a police officer or be a soldier,” said Spc. Sierra.
Since then Specialist Sierra went above and beyond in his service at home and in Afghanistan,
Earning the honor of Oregon’s Soldier of the Year and a shot at National Soldier of the Year.
With veterans day approaching, Specialist Sierra says the honor also belongs to those who support soldiers on homefront.
“We tend to forget that there’s the families and loved ones that ultimately carry you through your deployment and the training and when you’re out there in the field you have that to fall back on,” said Spc. Sierra.
That’s why he plans to carry the lessons of his service beyond his time with the Guard.
“When i get out I’ll be able to show my grandkids and my wife will look at my shadow box and say, hey this is what I did, they can take pride in that too,” he said.
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