TSC announces July Student of the Month

Training Support Center (TSC), Great Lakes announced its' selection for Student of the Month for July 2012, ETSN Juliza B. Arias at an award ceremony on Aug. 16.
    Arias serves as Duty Section 2 Section Leader onboard the USS New Jersey (BEQ 838). She has devoted time and efforts in leading over 220 students with minimal staff guidance as the ship's student petty officer in charge.
    It is this selfless dedication to duty that has culminated in her selection as "TSC Student of the Month" for July 2012.
    Arias, 34, of Queens, N.Y., had worked for Apple computers in human resources and also in resale as management before deciding to join the Navy.
    "It was important for me to leave a legacy with part of an organization that helps the world be a better place," Arias said.
    She was determined to prove herself right from the start.
    "When you come in at an older age, I thought, 'I've got to go there and kick some butt!'" Arias said.
    She graduated from boot camp at Recruit Training Command in January and her determination paid off as her proven leadership qualities led to her being named the Honor Graduate for her division. Each division votes for one recruit among them that stood out from the rest.
    While it's been difficult to be apart from her 4-year-old daughter and her husband, Arias said she looks at the big picture for her career and family.
    "As soon as I get out of "A" School, I am going to study and work as quickly as possible to become an E5," Arias said. "By studying my butt off and staying motivated I hope to be a chief within eight years and then will pursue chief warrant officer when I hit 12 years. I've learned that something can happen next year that can entirely change my point of view, so I do what's right for my family."
    During her free time, Arias devotes her time to volunteer whenever possible.
    She has contributed more than 20 hours of community service as a volunteer for PADS, local mass casualty exercises, as well as completing 4 NKO courses.
    "I do try to take any opportunity while I'm here to volunteer, whether it's command or not, as I try to keep myself active," Arias said. "Whatever the command puts out, such as the honor flight — which was amazing and inspiring — or helping the homeless at PADS, or even volunteering at the county fair to judge kids' art projects, I jump at the opportunity. At the fair, it was so nice to be around kids again and I am an art history major so being around the artwork was awesome."
    Command Master Chief (SW/AW), Robert Tompkins, of TSC said, "Arias is leading by example through her active volunteering. She has successfully shown that giving back to her community can have a positive effect on one's naval career as well as allowing her to stand out from the rest. "
    Arias' advice to new arrivals at TSC is to just focus on the basics and every day to do their best to stay in shape.