by Jacob Thimjon

Armando Rodriguez

This is a story on United States Army member Armando Rodriguez who discusses in this story how he became part of the United States military and his experiences in Afghanistan as a soldier. I produced this story to shed light on soldiers experiences not just while at war but also coming back home. The story was able to accomplish a better understanding for readers based on feedback I received on my social platforms what soldiers face on and off the battlefield.

OMAHA, Neb. —Armando Rodriguez and first-grade students gathered around a television set with their teacher on the morning of 9/11; as the second plane crashed into the World Trade Center, Rodriguez’s teacher cried at her desk. 

“The reason why I joined the military was because of that picture of her face in my mind that I really truly hope and wish nobody ever has to go through, Rodriguez said, “I feel God put me on this planet to protect people and my loved ones.” 

Rodriguez was raised in Lexington, Nebraska after his family had moved from Long Beach California. 

Rodriguez joined the military after graduating from Lexington High School in 2014, Rodriguez trained in Georgia and was later stationed in Fort Benning, Colorado. 

Additionally, Rodriguez was stationed in California, Connecticut, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming before being deployed to Afghanistan in 2016. 

“It was a big culture shock because I came from a close family. I was 17 at that age and I was still going through puberty. It was culture shock on steroids,” Rodriguez said. 

In Afghanistan, Rodriguez would call his close friend Antonio Ramirez- Aguilera who was the father of one of Rodriguez close friends. Aguilera died of an illness in 2019 

“He would always talk to me about how he was so happy about what I was doing and respected what I did and that he would always be waiting for me when I got home, a second father,” Rodriguez said. 

Rodrguez returned to Lexington in 2017 after being deployed back to the United States. Rodriguez said he struggled with depression, sleep and being in large crowds. 

Rodriguez sought counseling after wanting to commit suicide, Rodriguez said. 

“I wanted to go overseas so bad, this is the price I have to pay for wanting something so bad,” Rodriguez said.  

Rodriguez now studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he is majoring in psychology and earning a minor in criminal justice. 

Rodriguez said he returns home to Lexington often to practice shooting at Lexington’s local shooting range in hopes of getting into the secret service after graduating next year. 

Rodriguez wearing his combat vest from the military.
Rodriguez holds a Shmaugh scarf he used to blend into the Afghan culture while on patrol and protect himself against the heat in Afghanistan.
Rodriguez combat helmet he wore in Afghanistan, Rodriguez would use helmet for night vision combat in Afghanistan.
Rodriguez combat uniform he wore while being deployed in the states and Afghanistan. Rodriguez also wears the uniform while at Bob’s Ranch shooting range in Lexington, Nebraska to help control his heart rate while shooting.
Rodriguez keeps a picture of Antonio Ramirez Aguilera to remember his “second father,”
Rodriguez keeps a hat of the shield of St. Michael the archangel of God to remind himself that God will always protect him
Rodriguez would do drugs in high school. Rodriguez keeps a cross in his dorm at Scott Campus to remind himself of how God has changed his life from high school to today.
Statue of St. Michael the archangel of God in Armondo’s room at Scott Campus
Rodriguez’s uniform he wears for military weddings, balls, promotions, formal events and funerals.
Rodriguez polishes his uniform before a company event for his job with Brigade Headquarters located in Elkhorn, Nebraska.
Rodriguez attends Brigade events to celebrate milestones in the company such as promotions and completing training.
Rodriguez’s uniform he wore while in Afghanistan. Rodriguez would use uniform to escort high ranking officials locate caches and fly drones while in Afghanistan
Rodriguez at Bob’s Ranch shooting range, Rodrguez practices long range shooting, handgun shooting and shoot and move training.




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