Human of HOA spotlight; Staff Sgt. Jaime Valdez, journey to becoming a Warrant Officer

U.S. Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Kerry L. Meuhlenbeck, Arizona Adjutant General, center, stands with soldiers returning from deployment from Poland. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Aileen Espenoza, Jailene Valdez’s sister, her friend Army Staff Sgt. Arlae Valenzuela and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Lupecelia Leon, influenced Valdez to become a warrant officer and cheered her on through her candidacy. The photo depicts U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jailene Valdez to highlight her Warrant Officer journey in Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s Humans of HOA feature. (Courtesy photo)



By Spc. Micheala Maldonado Combined Joint Task Force - Horn Djibouti Mar 10, 2025
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The most recent appropriations for the Department of War expired at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sept. 30, 2025. Military personnel will continue in a normal duty status, without pay, until such time as a continuing resolution or appropriations are passed by Congress and signed into law. Civilian personnel not engaged in excepted activities will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status.
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