Major General Steven W. Smith presents a Certificate of Wartime Service to Waldemar Ramirez, who was Chief Warrant Officer 2 at the time, in Kuwait during the Operation Enduring Freedom’s campaign in 2012-2013. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Second Lieutenant Waldemar Ramirez is proud to be a Hispanic-American soldier.

“We bring in diversity, share our culture, contribute to the fight. In the end, we’re all Americans,” Ramirez said.

“The Army has shaped me into a better husband, better son, better soldier, better citizen. Different challenges we face day-to-day help us become who we are today,” he said. “Although sometimes we face struggles in life, I maintain my optimism and hard work.”

“Hispanics should be proud of their ethnic background and educate others,” Ramirez said. “Realizing our common values and common way of life brings together all of us as one … no matter where you are from … forever.”

Since 2002, he has served in U.S. Army Reserves. After enlisting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he was promoted to Sergeant (E-5) in about two years. Ramirez was selected to attend Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) at Fort Rucker.

He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. and then Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Gordon, Ga. He served in Yauco, Puerto Rico; East Point, Ga. and Birmingham. Deployments included Ramadi, Balad and Baghdad, Iraq with Operation Iraqi Freedom, supporting 1st MEF and 3rd Signal Brigade of Fort Hood, Texas.

After seven years as Chief Warrant Officer 2, Ramirez accepted direct appointment to Second Lieutenant in May 2016. “I’m serving my thirteenth year of service and enjoy every bit of it.”

His second deployment was Bagram, Afghanistan, as Enterprises Services Technician at Joint Network Control Center.

Ramirez moved to Madison in 2009 as an intern with Army Aviation and Missile Lifecycle Command, Security Assistance Management Directorate. Continuing with that organization, he currently supports Assistant Program Executive Officer International within PEO Missiles and Space at Redstone Arsenal. He works for Security Assistance Enterprise in support of foreign partners.

He earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus and currently is pursuing an MBA with University of Technology and Management in Virginia.

He and wife Alba D. Andino-Rivera were married in Puerto Rico in 2010 on the Fourth of July. Their son Ethan G. Ramirez-Andino is two years old.

In 2011, he was awarded Network Management Technician Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) at Fort Gordon. Ramirez belongs to Warrant Officer’s Association.