Camouflage is a part of her life and army vocation. “I’m right here to serve,” says Joint Command Sergeant Main Consuelo Díaz Álvarez, sergeant main of the Colombian Navy Forces, the primary feminine soldier to be promoted to that rank.
She proudly remembers the day she joined the Colombian Army in November 1993. Practically 30 years have handed and since then her each day routine has consisted of inspections, conversations with troopers, visits to their items, and phrases of encouragement to encourage them to hunt professionalization.
Command Sgt. Maj. Díaz spoke with Diálogo about her priorities and the challenges of her new army obligations.
Diálogo: You’re the highest-ranking noncommissioned officer (NCO) within the Colombian Navy Forces. What does your achievement signify for army girls?
Joint Command Sergeant Main Consuelo Díaz Álvarez, sergeant main of the Colombian Navy Forces: It represents the emergence of feminine management within the area, the more and more autonomous conduct of girls within the career of arms, and a vote of confidence in favor of the sacrificial and heroic work of girls within the Navy Forces. These modifications are a part of the brand new world situation in land, sea, and air establishments. Parity is without doubt one of the symbols of the brand new democracies, that are offered as an moral useful resource for strengthening the legitimacy of establishments.
Diálogo: What does it imply to be the Joint Command Sergeant Main of the Colombian Navy Forces?
Command Sgt. Maj. Díaz: It’s an enormous supply of satisfaction, an excellent second in my army profession, which carries with it an infinite duty. I contemplate it an important achievement and a recognition of all army and non-uniformed girls within the service of the forces, however particularly of the NCO corps, whom I’ve the chance to signify at this time.
On a private degree, it’s a problem to have the ability to proceed constructing on the foundations that my predecessors envisioned along with the excessive command with regard to the professionalization of the NCO corps. On the working degree, it’s to turn out to be a reference for all of the personnel that it’s not solely the rank and place but in addition to shut the gaps with the great customs and practices which have made NCOs the spine of the forces over years of labor.
Diálogo: What number of NCOs make up the Colombian Navy Forces, and what’s your dedication to them?
Command Sgt. Maj. Díaz: Roughly 42,300 NCOs within the Army, Navy, and Air Drive, and I’ve set as my goal to strengthen and undertaking their army careers in all ranks in order that they’ll direct their efforts towards a normal goal: advising commanders on the totally different ranges (strategic, operational, and tactical) to make them the direct help of the command as multipliers of insurance policies and conductors of their very own actions within the items (ways, methods, and procedures). To all of us who put on a uniform, to really feel proud to be NCOs.
Diálogo: What abilities are wanted to be a command sergeant main?
Command Sgt. Maj. Díaz: A command sergeant main is a product of their years of service. We will need to have the flexibility to investigate, contribute, articulate, information, educate, encourage, advocate, and help the totally different processes, which permits the army to satisfy institutional goals. We’re the help of commanders on the totally different ranges of command; the guides, and we function examples to our subordinates by having as a elementary foundation our ideas and values, institutional dedication, and compliance with human rights and worldwide humanitarian legislation.
Diálogo: What do you contemplate to be your best problem?
Command Sgt. Maj. Díaz: To strengthen the positioning of the ranks of sergeant main, command sergeant main, joint command sergeant main and their equivalents within the forces, taking into account that they’re assigned because the direct advisers within the decision-making of the commanders.
Diálogo: Why did you select to hitch the Army?
Command Sgt. Maj. Díaz: I selected to be a part of the Army as a result of I wished to serve my nation and I joined as an NCO within the administrative corps in 1993. Being within the army is a noble and altruistic career, the place, due to vocation, ideas, and values, we assist to construct a greater nation for our kids and for all Colombians.
Diálogo: If a young person requested you for recommendation about becoming a member of the Colombian Navy Forces, what would you inform them?
Command Sgt. Maj. Díaz: I’d discuss to them in regards to the significance of getting a profitable lifelong undertaking, of being helpful to society and the nation. To those that ask, I’d inform them that belonging to the Colombian Navy Forces is an honor; on the shoulders of each soldier, sailor, and airman rests the tranquility, prosperity, and way forward for this lovely homeland. To put on the camouflage is a vocation that glorifies life and exalts man; the decision to serve Colombia is felt by individuals with a robust coronary heart stuffed with unconditional love for his or her fellow man.
Diálogo: Throughout your army profession, what advances have you ever noticed in gender points?
Command Sgt. Maj. Díaz: Since 1976, when the primary feminine officers had been commissioned and in 1983, when the primary feminine NCOs joined, the situations for girls expanded as a result of they had been capable of occupy necessary positions and exhibit their capabilities and strengths. The Navy Forces have empowered and made girls’s work extra seen. Immediately we’re at totally different strategic, operational, and tactical ranges, which help and exhibit the institutional projection and mission.
Immediately we’re protagonists of one of many best cultural modifications in historical past. We now occupy decision-making areas and are a key issue that may assist to higher perceive the causes of a battle and its different options, in addition to to advertise measures that reply to the totally different wants and consolidate peace over time.
Diálogo: Colombia is on the regional vanguard within the development of the NCO corps. What’s the purpose for this progress and what’s the long-term projection?
Command Sgt. Maj. Díaz: On this technique of professionalization and positioning of NCOs, the connection with U.S. Southern Command has performed an necessary position. Cooperation between nations that share democratic imaginative and prescient, ideas, and values has been elementary in attaining an NCO corps that ensures the achievement of the constitutional mission all through Colombia and thus will increase the prevention and response capabilities of the Navy Forces to confront the challenges that threaten the nation.
