Doing More Than I Thought I Could: Leadership Lessons And Reflections From #34

Jalen Gomez grew up in Beeville, Texas, in a large family, but she was especially close to her younger sister, Lena. The pair spent much of their childhood outdoors and playing sports. When it came time to choose a college, she received a three-year ROTC scholarship. She wanted to attend Baylor, but St. Mary’s University offered her a better deal, so she went there and majored in Exercise Sport Science. During her sophomore year, she studied abroad in London and really enjoyed that experience. She did well in ROTC, and often was motivated to “prove people wrong” when they thought she could not do something, such as the ROTC Ranger Challenge. After graduating, her first assignment as a Second Lieutenant was as a mentor at Advanced Camp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. She then attended Armor BOLC (Basic Officer Leader Course) at Fort Benning, Georgia, followed by ARC (Army Reconnaissance Course), where she improved her land navigation skills. Ranger School followed, and she became the 34th woman to earn her Ranger tab. She was then assigned to the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry in the 10th Mountain Division, where she led a Scout Platoon and the Mortar Platoon. Her next assignment is the Captain’s Career Course as she transitions into the Military Intelligence branch.