Courtesy photo
Captain Jerusalem Mendoza
Submitted by Michael T. Naya, Jr.
Kenilworth resident Captain Jerusalem Mendoza, Academy for Information Technology Class of 2013 is currently serving in the United States Army, 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry). Jerusalem explained how he joined the military and why.
“During my freshman year in the spring of 2013 I was in ROTC so I was a college student and also taking Army leadership classes. We would have PT from 6:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and we would do that regularly. I was offered a three and half year campus based scholarship so I did not have to go to basic training. I went to Rutgers, New Brunswick where I received my B.A. in 2017 in Criminal Justice and was commissioned at the same time. Because I did not have to go to basic training I was commissioned at the same time.
Joining the military is two fold. I wanted to enlist out of high school because I initially did not like school so I compromised. I went to school, got my degree, and went into the military. I chose the Army specifically because you saw the commercials on tv and since high school I knew I was a leader. I wanted to lead people in real life situations and in doing so the comradery grows on you. The relationships that I have built with people I did ROTC with and the people I’ve been stationed with are so different from the relationship I have with my friends for twenty to twenty-five years.”
When asked where he had been stationed over the years he explained,
“I was commissioned in May, 2017 and went to Fort Lee, Virginia, now Fort Gregg Adams. After there I went to Fort RIley, Kansas and did a rotation to Europe in 2019. From there I was sent back to Fort Lee for six months, then Fort Drum, New York. I did a deployment to Setcom there and that is where I am stationed now.”
When asked about his military operation speciality he explained,
“I’m a logistics officer which I enjoy a lot. If we think back to 2017 when I was ranking you were given seventeen choices and rank them all before you commission. My first option was field artillery but if I didn’t get that I chose the logistics branch because you can transfer those skills over into the civilian side. I made sure to set myself up for success when I am discharged. I’ve got two kids now and my wife is pregnant with our third so ever since I got to New York I’ve had to commit more time to the military. I do not want to miss any more time with my family and I think now is approaching a good time to leave the military.”
Jerusalem met his wife Lindsey at Fort Riley, Kansas where she was also serving in the U.S. Army at the time. We were married in September, 2019 and together they have two children Lillie and Ava. Lindsey received her discharge in 2021.
When asked about serving in the military Jerusalem stated,
“Serving in the military is something you never really think about. Initially, the first time you are putting on the uniform it is a sense of pride. No matter what kind of day you are having, nobody cares. You put on the uniform, go to work and perform. Everybody hears that less than one percent of our country has served and that adds to the pride every service member has when putting on the uniform.
The comradery and deployed environment still makes you feel so proud. It is hard to explain but you have to rely on the person to your left and to your right. You all come from different backgrounds, different upbringings, and you are all serving for the same purpose. It’s an experience I think everybody should go through at least once in their lives to feel what it is like working in a super high stress environment. You learn a lot about yourself in those situations. The choices that you make have a big impact on other people and that is something you don’t get outside of the military except in law enforcement. I also feel that it is a similar high stress environment but military wise it is unparalleled.”
This is part VI of an ongoing series honoring those currently serving in the U.S. military from Kenilworth. If anybody knows of those currently serving, they should contact Michael T. Naya, Jr.
