Escondido Union School District

I'm celebrating this #veteransday by doing what I always do and something I absolutely love ❤️ : highlighting a bad*** Veteran. Meet Sergeant Major Ali Parviz, who retires this week after 40 years of service to our our country 🇺🇸 . After ten years on active duty, Ali became an elementary school teacher in the Escondido Union School District, serving his local community there for the last 30 years while also continuing to serve in the United States Army Reserve. During the last three years, Ali has served as my Sergeant Major, as the most senior non-commissioned officer, in what may be the Army Reserve's most technologically mature battalion 💪. Sergeant Major Parviz says early in life he struggled in community college and in his efforts to find direction and stability. After the Air Force wouldn't take him due to his citizenship status, the US Army gave him what he calls the "opportunity of a lifetime." After his initial service and earning his citizenship 🇺🇸, he says he recognized "I owe this country a lot, that the Army provided me opportunity, and I felt a strong sense of loyalty.  I decided the day I would get out is the day they kick my a** out, and that is day November 30th, 2023, on my 60th birthday 🔥." When I asked Sergeant Major Parviz what advice he has for our young Soldiers now at the beginning of their service, he said: "We absolutely need your abilities 💯 ; you understand technology and how globally connected we are because it's part of your upbringing. I've been passionate about this area my whole life but I still feel like a digital immigrant. We need your help. What I would also say is it's important for you to learn how to embrace discomfort. Discomfort in itself is not a bad thing; it teaches a lot and helps you grow and be grateful for what you have around you and the people in your life. This is where we can help you." My last question for Sergeant Major Parviz was what advice he has for our Senior Army leadership as they lead us through times of incredible change: "Over the last 30 years, I've seen the Army be reactive to the changes propelled by technology as opposed to being forward looking and seeing the opportunities. The deepest advice I can give is that change is the only constant in life and we need to embrace these changes in technology and be willing to listen to our younger generation that understand and get it." Sergeant Major Parviz, thank you for your leadership and example 🙏 , for always treating every Soldier with dignity regardless of background 🤝 , and for being such a powerful advocate for technology and innovation. Happy Veterans Day.