Sergeant Don Gomez

Two tours of duty in Iraq were enough to make Sergeant Don Gomez realize his calling was to dedicate himself to serving the interests of the U.S. in the Middle East. Firsthand experience with the cultural gap that exists between the U.S. forces and the people of Iraq were enough to drive him to pursue a degree in Middle Eastern studies and a mastery of the Arabic language.

Don will return to the Middle East for a third time in fall 2009; however, this stay will be as a student at the renowned Arabic Language Institute at the American University in Cairo. Already recognized as a Truman Scholar and Horatio Alger Military Scholar, Don is also an active member of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Upon his return from Egypt and his graduation from the City College of New York, Don plans to enter the service of the U.S. government in a different role as a State Department Foreign Service officer.