UCR Fundraising Event

Sergeant Jennifer Shawhan
I joined the Army when I was 20 years old. I am a paratrooper and a Motor Transport operator. I worked with the Special Forces Training Group in Ft. Bragg, NC for 4 years on active duty. I then joined the Army Reserves and was stationed in Camp Pendleton, CA for 3 years. I was deployed to Iraq for 15 months as a S.A.W. gunner on the gun truck providing security for convoys. I have been in the Army for 8 years and I majored in Graphic Design. I was born in Wisconsin, my parents were Missionaries and we traveled a lot. I grew up helping others.

Specialist Zohra Azizi from Afghanistan
I am the first in my family to join the United States Military born in Afghanistan. I moved to Iran for 2 years, lived in Pakistan for 3 years and now am living in San Diego. I joined the Army on April 2001. I went to Iraq on Jan 2003 until April 2004. I am married and have one daughter. Everybody in my family lives in the U.S. I really loved my experience in the Army. I hope more women would join the armed forces. I speak Dari & English.

Sergeant Tafiq Rashid
I joined the Army 4 years ago. I have been trained in Transportation & military police. After 9/11, I volunteered 10 months of active duty services and I was shortly activated for Operation: Iraq Freedom. I served in Karballa & Najaf in Iraq. I speak Arabic & English. I am the oldest of five children in my family and we all grew up here in Northern California.

Sergeant David Moezzi
My name is David Moezzi. I was born in San Francisco, CA. My father is from Tehran, Iran, and my mother is from Russia. I have been in the military for 13 years in the U.S. Marine Corp Infantry and 3 years in the Marines. I served in the Army National Guard and as a Military Police Officer. I went to college using tuition assistance and the army’s G.I. Bill. I graduated from the University of Las Vegas with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. I then worked as a correctional officer in Las Vegas, NV. After 9/11, I felt the need to serve in the military to assist in the global war on terror. I speak Farsi, Portuguese, Russian and now studying Arabic.