I was working at a fast food restaurant when a man walked in one day and told me about this great job opportunity that would take me around the world, give me free college and even free housing. I was sold! But little did I know, this man, was the Master Trainer for the Montgomery Alabama Recruiting Battalion. I knew absolutely nothing about the Army, other than what I saw television. I quit my job that day, signed up and haven’t looked back since.

I want my legacy to be that of humility and gratitude for the opportunities I've been given.  I also want it to be the one “paying it forward” and dedicating as much time and effort into the future generations of Soldiers because that is where I truly see our self-worth.  If we hold on to our experiences and lessons learned without passing them along in order to allow future generations to be better, then we are no good at all.

My name is Chhamboni (Nita) Simmons I am a first generation Cambodian refugee.  My family and I were very fortunate and blessed to be able to immigrate to the United States after fleeing Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge Regime.  My father served as a Commander for the Cambodian Army and my uncle was a 3-Star General.  Their roles in the Cambodian Army were vital for the safe departure of my family to the United States.

I’m very fortunate to be in the U.S. Army, and to have the opportunity to honor and serve others.  Assisting Soldiers with improving their performance on a PT test, or achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight after struggling to make tape, or an entire unit with preventing heat casualties during their NTC rotation, or a team complete the Bataan Memorial Death March is my definition of success.  I serve those that serve.

2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment taught me how to become a tactically and technically proficient leader and would later set me up for success leading my own company of Soldiers into combat. I wish every female officer had the opportunity that I did to experience amazing leadership at all levels from a unit like 2-12 CAV. I don’t think I would be the same person without having this once in a lifetime opportunity. I have to thank my commander, COL James Nickolas, for this opportunity because he believed in me to execute this critical position to the best of my abilities in a wartime environment. In that combat environment, that was a rare opportunity for a female.