Veterans

Spotlight on Syracuse’s Military-Connected: Maria Delgado G’19

Wednesday, September 12, 2018, By Leah Lazarz

Maria Delgado, a native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and a naturalized U.S. citizen since 2010, is currently a post-graduate student in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics pursuing a master’s degree in public health. She is also a cadet with the Stalwart Battalion in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program expecting to graduate and commission as a second lieutenant in spring 2019.

Delgado has served in the U.S. Army Reserves for 10 years. She enlisted in 2008 as a health care specialist, completing basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and advanced individual training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in 2009.

Upon graduation in 2010, she received NREMT certification. Her first assignment was with the 1984th U.S. Army Hospital in Fort Wainwright, Alaska. She achieved the rank of sergeant in 2011, having completed the Warrior Leaders course and graduating on the commandants list in Waimanalo, Hawaii. She also successfully completed the Army basic instructor course and was sent to Osaka, Japan, for overseas training. In Japan, she participated in Yama Sakura 61, an annual bilateral command post exercise involving the U.S. military and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

In 2012, she returned to Fort Sam Houston for the Army’s Licensed Practical Nurse program. Upon completion of the program, she was selected to train overseas with the U.S Army Garrison-Grafenwoehr Troop Medical Clinic in Grafenwoehr, Germany. Upon her return, she mobilized to Fort Dix, New Jersey, for nine months as the non-commissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of quality control for mobilization/demobilization site.

From 2015-16, she joined the 744th Military Police Battalion and mobilized to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as the battalion senior medic. She successfully completed a nine-month deployment assisting the troop medical clinic as the Operations NCOIC. While in Cuba, she volunteered with the Girl Scouts and was awarded the volunteer service ribbon for her efforts.

In 2017, she worked with the 91st Training Division, where she served as the soldier medical readiness planning and coordinator, NCOIC of Personnel Status and NCOIC of Joint Visitors Bureau. During her time with the 91st Training Division, Delgado completed her degree in health science from George Washington University.

Delgado’s military awards and decorations include:

  • Meritorious Service Medal
  • Army Commendation Medal
  • Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal
  • Army Overseas Ribbon
  • Army Reserve Component Overseas Training (with numeral 2 device)
  • Army NCO Professional Development
  • Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC )
  • Army Service Ribbon
  • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
  • National Defense Service Medal
  • Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with numeral 2 device)
  • German Schützenschnur (Gold), GAFPB (Silver)

Upon graduation from Syracuse University, Maria plans on commissioning to active duty and pursuing a doctoral degree in public health.