HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Daisy Aguilar felt a calling to join the Air Force since she saw uniforms, crisp drill movements and ceremonial rifles of Junior ROTC members when she was 14 years old.
Aguilar joined MacArthur Senior High School’s Junior ROTC program in Houston, Texas, getting a taste of the military’s camaraderie and high fitness standards.
“I knew I wanted to join the military,” said Aguilar, who is now a senior airman and financial technician with the 1st Special Operations Comptroller Squadron. “I didn’t join right after high school because I was scared of leaving my family.”
Aguilar’s family selflessly moved to the United States approximately 30 years ago to create a better life for their four future children.
“When my parents came to the United States, it was for us, it wasn’t for them,” Aguilar said. “I know they moved here for a better quality of life, better experiences and more opportunities for us.”
Aguilar’s parents were not initially supportive of her decision to join the U.S. Air Force, but that did not stop her drive on the tough road to becoming an Airman.
“They didn’t understand the benefits that the Air Force has to offer,” said Aguilar. “They support me now.”
Aguilar left home for basic military training in the warm summer of 2018 and has worked at Hurlburt Field for more than two years. When Aguilar finally arrived at her first duty station, eight years after her calling to join, her squadron commander politely asked her for her first name. Aguilar, beaming with pride, said with a smile, “please call me Airman Aguilar.”
“Joining the Air Force was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Aguilar said. “Hearing the title Airman reminds me of all of my hard work and dedication.”
When Aguilar hears the title ‘Airman’ she is reminded of her parent’s sacrifices that allowed her to be where she is today and her tough uphill battle to become an Airman.
After working in the 1st SOCPTS for more than a year, Aguilar’s work ethic and attention to detail led her to be selected to the Hurlburt Field Honor Guard.
“She’s a joy to be around, a very hard worker and very outgoing,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jarad Royster, the flight chief of financial operations with the 1st SOCPTS. “She’s a testament to how people can grow in the Air Force.”
Aguilar left Honor Guard in the summer of 2020, returned to the 1st SOCPTS and was recently promoted to senior airman. She currently manages the 1st Special Operations Wing’s debt program, correcting all debt issues Air Commandos may encounter.
“There are many moving parts in military pay, especially being the most deployed wing in the Air Force,” Royster said. “Aguilar attacks all of her tasks head-on.”
Aguilar’s family, Hispanic culture and life experiences contributed to her drive to be and excel as an Airman.
The U.S. Air Force is composed of diverse Airmen of all genders, races, sexual orientations and religions. National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15. It celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
“Diversity is very important,” said Royster. “When you move, you take a little bit of everyone with you, and it helps you grow as a person.”
Aguilar’s parents always told her “hagas lo que hagas, hazlo con pasión,” which translates to “whatever you do, do it with passion,” she said.
“I wanted to repay my country for all of the opportunities it opened up for me and my family,” said Aguilar.