LDRSHIP

By Jim Davila Jr

Leadership

Duty

Respect

Selfless-Service

Honor

Integrity

Personal Courage

Introduction Greetings, my name is Jim Davila Jr. and I am from Lockhart, Texas. Lockhart, Texas is the home of the Chisolm Trail Roundup (CTR) festival, and considered the BBQ capital of Texas for its many famous bar-b-que restaurants. The City of Lockhart is also close to Austin, Texas were the Circuit of Americas racing is held and SXSW Live Music event. I am planning to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree specializing in management during fall semester (2015) at UTRGV. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a great institution to continue your education and to continue your personal professional development. I am a member of many student organizations at UTRGV such as: SHRM (Society of Human Resources Management), CEO (Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization, and SVA (Student Veterans of America). I feel it is very important to learn how to support veterans’ opportunities and issues to help service members at the new UTRGV campuses, and apply the leadership skills to help improve the quality of services for all at UTRGV. I have many hobbies and interests. I like the outdoors: fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping. I also like to build things or fix things: carpentry, mechanics, painting, and working on electronics. I am a retired combat medic from the Texas Army National Guard with twenty-two years of service including one combat tour in Iraqi Freedom III (2005). I am currently seeking full time employment to build a large network that will be beneficial in future professional endeavors such as: sales, management, marketing, and finance.

Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, & Personal Courage

Jim Davila JrBorn December 27, 1971

Lockhart, Texas, USNationality AmericanAlma Matter University of Texas Pan AmericanOccupation Emergency Medical Technician / EntrepreneurService Branch Texas Army National GuardYears of Service 1992-2014Battles/Wars Iraqi Freedom III (2005)Awards Army Good Conduct Medal

National Defense Service Medal (2nd)Army Commendation Medal (3rd)Army Achievement Medal (2nd)Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalOverseas Service RibbonReserve Medal W/ Mobilization Device (3rd)

What was my rank? What does the Army National Guard do? How was it formed? I am a retired Sergeant with the Texas Army National Guard. I served 22 years as a combat medic with numerous duty stations. I recently retired last year in June of 2014. The Army National Guard is a unique branch of the military. The National Guard wears two hats, one for the federal government and one for the state government. We are the only branch that can be called to service by either the Governor or the President. The Army National Guard is the only branch of military written into the Constitution of the United States as a militia. For more information on the legal basis for the Army National Guard existence, continue reading link provided https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Guard_of_the_United_States. Each state has its own militia or army to protect us in situations such as: natural disasters, martial law declaration, peace keeping mission, or humanitarian efforts. Here are some recent news on how the Texas Army National Guard has helped our great state of Texas. I have provided four great video links for viewing.

(May Flood) https://youtu.be/j9o_mWIYMvE (October fire) https://youtu.be/fCdqSkNpkBc

(Operation Lone Star/training/humanitarian this is a local event) https://youtu.be/zsWkSVrv7y4

(Texas Army National Guard Counterdrug Taskforce) https://youtu.be/aoaHNNmCD28

How many tours of duty did I serve? I have 3 tours of service to include one tour of combat service in Iraqi Freedom (2005). The other two tours of service were CONUS or within US. These two tours were at Ft. Sill, OK, well known for the Native American population, home of the Army’s artillery training, and the burial ground of the famous Native American Indian warrior Geronimo. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geronimo. In my combat tour, I served with the 111th Combat Engineers, 56 BCT Battle Combat Team 36 ID Infantry Division (T-Patchers). For more about the deployment visit: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/49ar-div-2bde.htm.

(Iraqi Freedom III) https://youtu.be/WOiV9TF5_WY

Was I drafted? Why did I join? No. I was involuntary selected, however, I volunteered to enlist in April, 1992. I was a filler (attached) to 111th EN BN 56 BCT 36 ID. My organic unit or the unit that I came from was located in Austin, Texas. I came from E. Co. 249th MSB (Main Support Battalion) 49th Armored Division. I was not drafted because today’s military forces are all volunteers. The draft is a unique story for my family because we have three generations of Texas Army National Guard service members, and we are all named Jim Davila. My father who has served for over 39 years in the military was drafted into the Army, and was sent to the Vietnam War. My father, Jim Sr. retired as the ultimate enlisted service member, with the rank of Sergeant Major. My son, Jim III, has recently enlisted and is set to leave for basic training this month in November. I joined the Army because I love to help people, and I guess I wanted to make my father proud too. I am assuming my son, Jim III, is willing to go the extra mile to serve and make me proud. Jim III is joining the unique airborne unit in Austin, Texas. There is a kind of back door draft called Selective Service System, every 18 year old male must register with https://www.sss.gov/ or some entitlements may be revoked if you do not register. For example, financial aid benefits may be withheld if you do not register with Selective Service System.

Did I see a lot of combat? This is a good question because it usually leads to another great question. Did I ever have to kill someone? We have to be sensitive towards combat veterans because many combat vets suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Its ok, don’t feel bad. We as a society have to learn about our veterans. There has been new research on how to help civilians and veterans handle these types of questions. Nonetheless, I witnessed my fair share of combat because my tour was a whole year long away from my immediate family. I left a new born son, Adrian Joel Davila, at two days old. When I returned from my deployment, Adrian was already walking. Afterwards, I volunteered to stay on active duty for another two years at Ft. Sill, OK. My mission was to train as many soldiers as we could for combat overseas and we were to certify as many army units as possible for combat readiness. A true war story that I can discuss is actually funny and scary. We had just entered the war zone in the late of the night, and were exhausted from the elements. All of us were anxious to get some sleep or shut eye at 2a.m in the morning. It was rainy season, and we had left a wet Kuwait to enter Iraq’s war zone. Next, as we did not have time to unpack or gather our wet weather gear in the bottom of our bags we slept for two or three hours in a large tent on hard cots. Most of us could not fall asleep because of the sound of a thunderstorm, just like a Texas thunderstorm in the middle of the night. After a reluctant wakeup, getting off my hard cot, and not my soft bed at home. I was expecting a lot of mud, and water outside due to the thunderstorm I heard. As I slowly opened the tent’s canvas doors, a strong beam of sunshine broke through! The thunder that sounded like a severe Texas thunderstorm was from our very own battle guns throwing down rain of fire! That’s when I realized I was no longer in Kansas Toto or Texas for that matter. I was hearing a real live battle. (rain of fire is a military term for artillery shelling, bombs.

Did my experience in the war influence my way of thinking after it was over and when I came back home? Yes, the war has meaning and is part of the humanities. The service members are the essence of esprit de corps, and have much influence on society due to their many acts of selfless service, duty, respect, loyalty, and other values. All of these service members are from Texas, and some are local heroes. Some of these great service members were former T-Patcher’s, 36 Infantry Division. Service members such as:

MOH (Medal of Honor) James Logan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_M._Logan

Dr. Hector P. Garcia http://www.humanitiestexas.org/programs/tx-originals/list/hector-p-garcia

Sgt. Steven Morin http://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-sgt-steve-morin-jr/1146242

Pvt. Felix Longoria http://www.thelongoriaaffair.com/Longoria_Affair/Longoria_HOME.html

These service members are the true heroes, and from our great state. Texas Pride.

Poem I wrote for my comrade who gave his life for God, Country, and US.WEARING OUR FLAG WITH PRIDE  Soldier you seem so far away, wearing our flag with prideI do not know why, you sought me that dayTo confess your rendezvous with destinyTo tell me your fantasy or self- fulfilling prophecyThe vicious cycle, to live or to dieAS the soldier, my comrade, a father, a warriorApproached me with a constant smile, from ear to earHe proclaimed to me his worst fear.I really did not understand, a man of compassion, and prideA heart of gold, asked “Are we going to die?”I told him it was not trueSo it wasn’t long before, I told him the truth.I told him, I was scared too.But somehow, we are going to make it home.He questioned my authority.Please, tell more about our piety.How did I know? In my heart, I just knew.Because soldier to soldier, it had to be true."Don’t worry hero you are coming home too."Fear is normal for men like me and youSoldier to soldier, Brother to brotherIf we did not have fear, then we were not human, or true.Now the years have gone, and it is Friday.Before Memorial Day,I woke up in the middle of the nightDreaming of my friendHe told me not to cryI said why, I told you a lie!You did not come home alive.You left behind your homeYour family and your sonHe told me, because of you,I conquered my fearAnd I knew.Death I would not deny.I wore my flag with prideI saddled up day after day,And night after nightWelcoming it like a fight.Death I did not denySoldier to soldierYou did not lie. In loving memory of comrade, father, warrior. Written by (Sgt. Davila)

The collage of photos were taken in the capital city of Baghdad, Iraq. The Swords fo Qadisiyyah or The Victory Arch, represents Iraq’s victory over Iran in the Iraq/Iran war. The helmets below the cross sabers represent the deceased soldiers of Iran. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_Arch

Top Photo: Picture taken in Kuwait, troops are getting a chance to ride the camel. I chose not to ride the poor animal because the camel had been exhausted from giving too many rides. In Texas we have many horses, and in the middle- east has many camels.Bottom Photo: Taken somewhere near the city of Fallujah, where a major battle transpired between US troops against enemy forces, better known as the Second Battle for Fallujah. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_FallujahApparently, there have been previous and subsequent battles. It seems that Fallujah is a continuous battle front.

Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage

Teamwork

• Since of duty for each other to accomplish team goals.• Respect for each other.• And Honor our team by keeping within organizational values.

As Team member within Texas Army National Guard, I have learned to respect others which leads to great team spirit or esprit de corp.

Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage

As an Emergency Medical Technician.• Personal Courage is a must because of the personal

risks involved in emergency situations to help others in a crisis.

• EMT’s do there absolute best to save lives, to serve the sick and injured.

• Combat medics use personal courage to save soldiers lives in war time.

Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, & Personal Courage

Statements from former Chain of Commands

Reference

(About National Guard) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Guard_of_the_United_States

(Helicopter 36ID training) https://youtu.be/8zjtc0B7vlw

(Counter drug) https://youtu.be/aoaHNNmCD28

(humanitarian/operation lone star) https://youtu.be/zsWkSVrv7y4

(Iraqi Freedom III) https://youtu.be/WOiV9TF5_WY

(History or Story CSPAN) my commander (note, was promoted to General) https://youtu.be/LMLQDYnwFnU

https://youtu.be/jZ_8gJppQag

(Texas Medal of Honor List) http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/states/tx.html

(More on GI-Forum) http://school.judsonisd.org/webpages/jfarner/files/placards%20mexican%20american.pdf

(May Flood) https://youtu.be/j9o_mWIYMvE (October fire) https://youtu.be/fCdqSkNpkBc

(Operation Lone Star/training/humanitarian this is a local event) https://youtu.be/zsWkSVrv7y4

(Texas Army National Guard Counterdrug Taskforce) https://youtu.be/aoaHNNmCD28

(Ft. Sill/ Geronimo) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geronimo

(Deployment) http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/49ar-div-2bde.htm

(Selective Service System) https://www.sss.gov/

MOH (Medal of Honor) James Logan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_M._Logan

Dr. Hector P. Garcia http://www.humanitiestexas.org/programs/tx-originals/list/hector-p-garcia

Sgt. Steven Morin http://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-sgt-steve-morin-jr/1146242

Pvt. Felix Longoria http://www.thelongoriaaffair.com/Longoria_Affair/Longoria_HOME.html

Second Battle of Fallujah https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Fallujah

Victory Arch https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_Arch

Rise and rise again, until lambs become lions

Jim Davila JrLeadership

Duty

Respect

Selfless-Service

Honor

Integrity

Personal Courage

• jim.davila01@utrgv.edu• 956-379-4445

• 723 Huisache Street La Joya TX 78560