Hispanic Women Given Recognition in the Armed Forces

A group of Hispanic women belonging to the Armed Forces were acknowledged with the Distinguished Service Award by the Department of Defense (DOD) and Latina Style Magazine.

The recognition distinguishes the contribution of said women in highlighting the role of Latinas in the American Army, especially when the Hispanic population represents 17 percent of the total population of the United States. According to Hispanos.About, Hispanics represent 11.2 percent of the active armed forces.

At the award ceremony, Major General Michael Linnington and substitute subsecretary of Personnel and Recruitment at the DOD, stated that besides being a recognition of Hispanic women enlisted in the three million members of the Department of Defense, it's also an investment for the country to promote inclusion and diversity, reported Diario MX.

Linnington said that 35 percent of the Armed Forces are comprised of minorities, including more than 200,000 Hispanic women serving in the different branches, a figure that represents 15 percent of all active forces.

"This is a very special event for those of us here at the Department of Defense because it allows us to gather key leaders, policy designers and special participants like Latina Style to recognize the achievements of the military and civilian personnel," said Linnington.

The Latinas awarded include: Army Captain Mirela Sanabria, Navy Commander Margaret Larrea, Air Force Major Ariel Grace Batungbacal, National Guard Colonel Valencia Gónzalez, Marine Batallion Officer Aisa Gómez, and Megan Sesna of the Coast Guard, reported El Universal.

"For us this is an incredibly opportunity to thank you for your service," said Robert Barr, director of Latina Style, one of the magazines with the highest circulation dedicated to Hispanic women in the United States.