Growing up in a small town in the cornfields of Illinois, Roberto DeMarquez was eager to seek out new opportunities. And so, he did what many others did before him: joined the United States Army.
Roberto DeMarquez has nearly 30 years of military experience, including multiple deployments.
“I thought it would be a great way to learn more skills, learn leadership techniques and broaden my horizons from where I started in life,” said DeMarquez, Continuous Improvement Coordinator. “It gave me the chance to see the world and meet interesting people who make up the fabric of our society.”
DeMarquez’s military career now spans nearly 30 years, including 5 years of active duty and 20 years of Army National Guard Service. His experience consists primarily of logistics work, supplying soldiers with the resources they need for overseas deployment or during national emergencies, such as hurricanes.
Demarquez was also deployed twice to Afghanistan and Iraq, experiences which he described as both challenging and empowering. One particularly humbling moment came when he was able to stand in the same space where Osama Bin Laden once stood, one month after visiting New York City’s 9/11 Memorial for the first time.
“It really brought home the importance of what I was doing,” said DeMarquez.
DeMarquez now serves as a Florida Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel, providing logistics assistance during hurricanes. With Florida’s active storm season, this typically means several Guard-related absences each year, for which he said he has OUC’s full support.
Roberto DeMarquez leading the Pledge of Allegiance at a 2019 Commission meeting.
“OUC’s has been great for me and other veterans,” said DeMarquez. “Not only do they highlight veterans through ceremonies and honors given by the Commission, but they are also very cooperative when I have to go away for Army National Guard duty.”
But, the ties between his service and his career don’t stop there. Every day, DeMarquez finds himself applying the lessons he learned in the military to his work at OUC.
“I would describe my time in the military as one of growth,” said DeMarquez. “I learned communications skills and increased my business acumen. It taught me to take responsibility, to get the job done right the first time, and how to add value to an organization.”
Roberto is part of the 10 percent of OUC’s workforce comprised of veterans. At OUC, we’re committed to offering opportunities for success and quality of life to individuals who currently give or have provided service to the United States Armed Forces. To our own veterans and to all who have served, we thank you.
