Deleon Guerrero and Ruak graduate from Ft. Jackson

Pvt. Robert Jason Santos Deleon Guerrero and Pvt. Eventia Ruak from the CNMI were among 800 soldiers who completed an intensive and challenging eight weeks of Basic Combat Training and took their oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States” during the graduation ceremony at the U.S. Army Training Center in Fort Jackson, South Carolina on Friday. Included in the graduation were soldiers from the Republic of Palau, the Marshall Islands and FSM.

The special ceremony marked the transition from civilian to military life as Deleon Guerrero and Ruak joined the longstanding tradition of sons and daughters of the CNMI responding to the call of duty to serve and defend the nation.

Deleon Guerrero is the son of Bobby and Lucy Deleon Guerrero of Dandan, Saipan. He is married to Jennifer Cabrera Deleon Guerrero and has two sons: Anthony, 8, and Robert, 6 months. He graduated from Spanaway Lake High School in Tacoma, Washington.

A very happy Jennifer said, “Our children and I would like to congratulate my husband for his great success and we hope to see him soon.” She said she is very happy over her husband’s accomplishment and that their children are excited to see their father once he finishes his training.

Ruak is the daughter of Jesus and Akina Ruak of Tanapag, Saipan, and a graduate of Kagman High School in Saipan.

Both soldiers were assigned to the Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment. As they enter the ranks of the U.S. Army, they are highly motivated, disciplined, physically fit, mentally tough and well trained in fundamental combat skills.

Other soldiers from Micronesia during the graduation were Pvt. Jeffrey Bilibei of Palau, son of Herman and Terry Bilibei, and Pvt. Freddy Freddy, who hails from Kosrae, and is the son of Sepi and Iuver Freddy.

The graduation ceremony was attended by Ed Pangelinan, on behalf of Resident Representative Pete A. Tenorio.

“I am amazed and awed by the significant number of our citizens responding to the call of duty as guardian of freedom and the American way of life. I congratulate each of our new soldiers as they make the transition to serve our nation. I wish Robert and Eventia the best and Godspeed in their service to our country,” Tenorio said.