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Making the most

NCO welcomes opportunities

Sgt. Stephanie Banuelos thinks soldiers should make the most of the opportunities presented to them.

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Sgt. Stephanie Banuelos thinks that leadership comes through experience and taking advantage of opportunities.

“By taking advantage of what the Army has offered me, I have learned – and continue to learn – how to be a good leader,” said the BOSS (Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers) team installation leader, as she relaxed after a workout.

“Soldiers can – and should - make the most of the opportunities presented to them.”

She quickly pointed to her relatively quick rise to her current position at BOSS.

“I got involved; it’s that simple,” said Banuelos. 

“I took advantage of the opportunities I was presented with.”

Trained as a military interrogator, she served in Iraq in 2007.  Once back at Fort Lewis, Banuelos became interested in the BOSS program, an interest that has led her to her current position.


This sense of involvement can be traced back to Banuelos’ grandfather.

Impressed by his example, the native of Chicago, Illinois enlisted to emulate him.

“My grandfather arrived here from Mexico with a suitcase and a couple of dollars; his goal was to realize the American dream,” continued Banuelos.

He enlisted in the Army, served in Germany, and later began a successful real estate business.

Along the way, Banuelos developed the opinion that education (she has a bachelor’s degree in political science) does not automatically entitle one to an officer’s commission.

“Besides, I love being enlisted,” she added with a smile.

“An education is valuable, but it is not an entitlement to a position of leadership – that has to be earned.”

As far as Banuelos is concerned, a good noncommissioned officer (NCO) is one who understands their soldiers.

“A good NCO connects with soldiers and lets them become leaders in their own way,” she said.

“Your job is to pass on the tradition of leading and training while being firm but fair.” 

Central to this belief is that Banuelos thinks all seven of the Army’s core values are equally important.

“You can’t have one without the other,” she explained. 

“I also think that the Soldiers’ Creed is just as important; it spells out a way of service that serves as a great foundation for life.”

It should come as no surprise that Banuelos plans on making the Army a career.

“The service is what you make of it,” she said as she prepared to go back to work. 

“There are pros and cons, but your service is what you decide to make of it.”

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