United States Army veteran and Syracuse University undergraduate student Janina Rios enlisted into the U.S. Army in October 2010, and three days after her high school graduation she shipped out to Basic Training. Janina served seven years in the Army as a 25 Uniform (25U), Signal Support Systems Specialist, in the Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation Unit in Ronkonkoma, New York.
In 2014, as a Private First-Class, Janina received the Army Achievement Medal for outstanding achievement while assigned as a Signal System Support Specialist for the 3-142nd Assault Helicopter Battalion’s FY14 Annual Training at Fort Drum. Her outstanding performance allowed the Battalion S6 section to exceed all standards while operating at a high operational tempo.
In November of 2017, due to injuries she received during her time in service, Janina was medically retired with an honorable discharge. Her service has not stopped there. Today, she is an undergraduate student majoring in film at Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts and currently serves as the President of Syracuse University’s Student Veterans Organization, a Chapter of Student Veterans of America.