Puerto Ricans in the Army, how has your experience been with them? Are you a Boricua or do you have one in your unit?

2014-12-13T19:35:33-05:00

I never lived in the states before joining the Army. My English was decent, even with the lack of practice in the island. In BCTV my Drill Sergeants were always laughing at me because of my accent. They used to tell me, Camacho, I need a translator for you. Unfortunately, I haven't see that much puertorricans but every time I've found one, everybody notices that 2 Boricuas got together.
Share an experience of yours with a puertorrican, or if you are puertorrican tell us something about your experience.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2014 8:44 AM

2014-12-14T08:44:32-05:00

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member,

Well I think of my Puerto Rican brothers the same as the rest of my American brothers, so I don't always remember which Soldiers are from P.R. versus California, Florida, etc..

There are 2 who come to mind, though. There was an air traffic controller at my last unit and there is an ATC maintainer at my current unit. They are very much alike. They're both very friendly, quick to laugh and always in a good mood. They're both smart and hard-working, but they also like to take it easy when there's not much work to be done. They're both extremely family-oriented, too. One of them has a slight accent which can lead to humorous situations, but we always knew what he was trying to say, lol!

Overall, nothing but positive experiences with both of them, though I could say the same about almost all of my co-workers. What has been your experience working with mainlanders?

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2014 11:11 PM

2014-12-14T23:11:30-05:00

I'm married to a Puerto Rican woman! She's hot tempered, but she's very supportive! She'd help me bury a body. Lol!!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2014 8:18 AM

2014-12-15T08:18:38-05:00

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member It comes with time seeing certain people in certain places. The first airman I met when I arrived at my first duty station was indeed like you, fresh off the island and I would constantly explain casual American sayings because he didn't understand them. Looking at the man now, you would never know it and he isn't the last troop I have met like that. One of my airman now is in the same boat with only a handful of people from PR or DR to relate to so we try to do our best to make him feel welcome and not "gun-shy" about speaking, even when he can't find the words he wants. If anything I have found that ya'll from PR are fun as hell.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2014 1:20 PM

2014-12-15T13:20:53-05:00

After been in the Army for 15 years, my coworkers still make fun of my accent, but it's all good in a fun way. Unlike some other boricua's I've met, I have never experienced any racism or negative comments directed against me being from Puerto Rico.