National Hispanic Heritage Month – Brigadier General (Ret.) Irene M. Zoppi
Stephanie Crider (Host)
This year, in observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the US Army War College Press interviewed Army War College Foundation board members.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the podcast guest and are not necessarily those of the Department of the Army, the US Army War College, or any other agency of the US government.
Today, I am speaking with retired Brigadier General Irene M. Zoppi Rodriguez, who retired as the first female Puerto Rican general in the US Army Reserve history. Zoppi Rodriguez is a subject matter expert on strategic intelligence, humanitarian assistance, unity of nations, and diplomatic military affairs. As a civilian, Dr. Zoppi Rodriguez serves as program director of workforce development for cyber security at the Department of Defense, Fort Meade, MD.
Thank you for being a part of the War College Press Hispanic Heritage Month podcast.
Episode Transcript:
Irene M. Zoppi Rodriguez
Thank you for having me. It’s really a pleasure to be here today, especially in the heritage month for our Latino Hispanic community, and also celebrate the diversity that we all bring to work, to home, and to the community.
Host
How does your heritage impact your work?
Rodriguez
You know, when I think about heritage and how it impacts not only my work, but also, specifically, how it influenced me, my perspective, my values, and approach of my life, I think about that heritage shapes everything in a cultural sensitivity—so I am more culturally oriented. I am more sensitive to other cultures. I look at the ability to connect with others in their diverse world and diverse audiences, for example, and also understanding the global issues. Being Latina Hispanic, having another language, but also, it oriented me to the desire to learn other languages. So, I also speak not only Spanish and English but also Italian, French, and German. And a little bit of Portuguese. And I am learning Korean. That is why the heritage help(s) us to see ourselves as a diverse tapestry of our community—uniquely made from many pieces of ancestors that have made us the way we are, but also to be an American.
Host
What is your biggest professional accomplishment to date?
Rodriguez
The fact that I am a US Army soldier. That makes me excited every day. Also, as a veteran, now, understanding what we fight for—our freedoms and the values that we hold so dear. So, one of my significant milestones that shows not only my skills and expertise and impacted me in my life is really to become a soldier.
I started in the army back in 1985 as enlisted. I did not know English. The army sent me to English school to learn English. That was DLI (Defense Language Institute), by the way, and everybody said, “What are you going to DLI for? I’m going to DLI to speak German or to speak Urdu” or another type of language. I went to speak English and learn English and write in English and will tell you the truth. It really impacted my entire career.
Later, I would get a bachelor’s degree, but then I get three master’s degrees and a PhD—and that is because the Army gave me the opportunity to learn more of the English language so I can accomplish myself. And that is part of talent management, and I’m very excited about that. So, when I look at my biggest accomplishment, not only coming from enlisted all the way to officer and becoming the first (Hispanic female) general officer in the history of the Army (Reserve) per se, and the history of the Army Reserve as a Latina shows me that everything is possible. Of course, at that time, I came with the “be all you can be” (motto), and I felt it in my soul and the spirit—I can be everything I want to become. And it is “be all you can be.”
Host
Would you be willing to share a pivotal moment in your life and how It changed you or your life for the better?
Rodriguez
When I look at this question, really, it amazes me because one of the pivotal moments in my life as a soldier is becoming a mother. And then carrying that little trooper inside my belly, even though that I have to do military duty, and then delivering that baby and returning back to duty, for me (at that time [I am] talking about 1992 right after the Gulf War, I was in Third Armored Division and General Funk was our leader at that time). And it was amazing. Coming back from deployment and returning and having my first baby after coming from combat, it was really a big transition in my life. So, it was a pivotal moment in my life.
I wanted to be a mother, but at the same time, I loved being a soldier. So, I would carry that little soldier inside my belly, and then, later, would go back into duty to showcase that it is a positive impact into our life as women but also our personal growth—the lessons that I learned, not only as a mother but as a soldier give us the light today that women have, right now, the opportunities to breastfeed and so on, and the abilities to do the things that, at that time, I couldn’t. That was a pivotal moment.
Another pivotal moment in my life is becoming a soldier and going through Ft. McClellan, Alabama, for military police (training). And I remember learning the English language but also putting a little bit of the spunkiness of the passion of the Latino, the charisma. And I would be running and exercising, just singing, trying to bring that spirit to life to showcase our Latino culture within the military cadences. And so, the drill Sergeant would always place me in front to sing cadences and everything else because the charisma would appear forward.
Pivotal moments for me have been from being a mother to being a soldier to being a wife to being a grandmother. The professional and personal development that we all have, I have learned a lot of emotional intelligence through it. I have learned to become a better human being, but above all, a soldier for life.
Host
This year’s Hispanic Heritage Month theme is prosperity, power, and progress. This fits right in with everything you’ve said so far. How is this theme played out over the course of your career or life?
Rodriguez
You know, the theme of prosperity, power, and progress reflects my career as to life. Number one, the prosperity and the power and progress. The power that was given to me immediately was “be all you can be.” That was powerful for me. I really put it as a big mantra where I could see myself progressing in ranks. But also, the prosperity it gave monetarily to my family because I was enlisted. I came all the way to become a general officer. So, it gave not only the opportunity for experiencing growth but empowerment, and it pursued not only my contributions to the military but for the progress of Latinos in the military. I did not know that in the future, from enlisted I would become later a general officer. But that opportunity came from all the extra hard work that we have to do.
But one of the major achievements, I think, is acculturation. For us Latinos, we’ve got to acculturate—not only acculturate to the American culture, but also to the military culture. And for me, I learned so much about acculturation that I did my PhD studies on acculturation of Latinas in the military. And I realized that culture and acculturation go interlocked with leadership style. Leadership style of collectivism, meaning very collective, reflects a lot of the Latino style of leadership where your charisma, motivational and progressive in collectivism.
But individualism goes along with a lot of the skills of competition. And so, for me, I’m highly collectivist. And lower individualist. So, in my research study, it allowed me to understand acculturation patterns and behaviors so I can become a better leader, and then at the same time a better human being and soldier. And I tell you that is a very great significance that prosperity, power, and progress goes back with acculturating—understanding your culture, celebrating your culture, understanding that culture is another tool bag that you have because I can acculturate to any other location. I can go to Germany (or) I can go to Saudi Arabia and understand their culture, respect it, and grow with it. And that’s part of how our prosperity when we have a diversity in our knowledge, through acculturation and understanding that acculturation is part of our life. The progress, the power, and prosperity is pursuing empowerment, contributing to your progress, not only personally, but to others. Do not think at any time about yourself; think about others, how you’re going to help them. And assume the power to help others. That means that it helps you, as well, because you become a familia. A family.
Host
What are you currently working on that you are excited about and can share with us?
Rodriguez
I recently became my grandmother four times. So, I’m so excited about that. So, that’s one of the things that I’m doing constantly. At NSA (National Security Agency) where I work currently as a program director, I am working with emotional intelligence. And that part of emotional intelligence, we are working with the fact that workforce development requires emotional intelligence so we can see ahead what is needed and where we need to go, too. So, emotional intelligence encompasses not only the emotional, but also the intellectual capital that we have in our society, in our community, in our workforce so we can have positive workforce environments for all. So, that is one of the things that I’m working right now.
But the major one that I am very proud of is here at the US Army War College, which is the foundation of the Army War College. And at the foundation, we are raising money to support not only the War College but the Alumni Association to develop these buildings that are going to be state-of-the-art and the future to provide the future of our workforce here in Carlisle and for futures to come.
But the Alumni Association is not only about alumni. It is about community. It is about partnership. It is about family. Familia. It is about culture and the heritage of the military. So, I’m very proud about being part of the board as a board trustee for the foundation. And I’m looking forward to not only raise money but raise many partners for here, for the future, and forever because we need to do that. The heritage of the military is triumphant because we have heritage from many cultures to make the difference in the Army and the US Army War College. Their advancement and the innovation, their creativity, is one that is forefront with the future of the world.
Host
Where can our listeners find out more about you and learn about your work?
Rodriguez
If you go to the US Army War College Foundation (website at https://usawc.org/), you will see a link there about myself. There, you will see my bio. Also information in LinkedIn, you can see me. You also can look at NSA. I am part of the NSA cybersecurity force, and you can link there, as well.
I am always looking forward to mentor (and) to support others (and) for others to be all they can be. But above all, to feel the familia inside of my heart that I give to everybody. It has been a pleasure for me to be here.
But I will tell you this much, the progress of the future is not only with podcasts like this, like you are embracing the future of others but also celebrating others like today, celebrating the Hispanic Heritage Month. And I thank you so much for having me here.
But also, I want to say thank you for every listener. Please remember this: prosperity starts with you. The future starts now. Be all you can be. Let’s go and support the foundation. Thank you.
Host
Thank you so much for joining me. This was a real pleasure.
Rodriguez
For me, too. Likewise.
Host
If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, you can find us on any major podcast platform.
The US Army War College celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th to October 15th. This year, to observe the occasion, the US Army War College Press recorded a series of interviews showcasing War College leadership, faculty, staff, and students. Listen in to hear their insights, anecdotes, and more. The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the podcast guests and are not necessarily those of the Department of the Army, US Army War College, or any other agency of the US Government.