Hi everybody; my name is Clayton Narvaez and I come originally from Puerto Rico, where I had lived all of my life until joining the army. I am married to my beautiful wife Madeline and have two gorgeous kids; Jan – my stepson – is 12 years old and Camila is just three. Like most boys of his age, Jan is fond of playing on his ps3 console and loves all kinds of electronic games. Camila, our curly-haired little angel is only three, but is already really smart. She knows her colors, and can recite numbers up to15 in both Spanish and English. My children would both like us to have a dog and a cat, as we used to have in Puerto Rico, but when we relocated to the United States our pets regrettably had to remain behind. Madeline loves to read, and to watch action or science fiction movies. I enjoy listening to music, reading, creating my own reggae music (drums and/or piano), watching movies (especially comedy) and spending leisure time with my family as much as I am able when I am not on duty.
I am a certified Electrician, having received my certificate from John Dewey of Bayamon, Puerto Rico in 2009. When I lived there I used to work as an Electrician until I joined the United States Army on 27 March 2012 at Fort Buchanan in Puerto Rico, then came to begin my new life in the USA.
In the army I am employed as a Transportation Management Coordinator. It is a really interesting job in which I have to select the appropriate type of transport for movements of equipment and personnel. My role includes planning, organizing and scheduling those movements, which in many cases can be worldwide. I also have to be active in quite a lot of admin. tasks including using software specially designed for the activities involved.
When I first came over to the U.S., I attended the Defense Language Institute in Lackland Air Force base, Texas, to improve my English reading and writing, because Spanish is my first language. Then I undertook Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, followed by Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Virginia. I am currently stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where I have been for three months now.
We find the U.S., and especially where we live now in Kentucky, quite different to our former home in Puerto Rico. The weather and the climate in general are quite different here. Also, there are no beaches(!). We live in rented housing at this moment but hope one day to buy our own home when we are more established. The kids are settling into their new schools and making lots of new friends. Madeline likes shopping here – she tells me the Malls are bigger and better and include a much wider variety of stores than we were used to in Puerto Rico.
I want to pursue a degree with a major in Psychology and a minor in Business, because I am fascinated with everything associated with the functions of the brain. I also have a passionate interest in anything that has to do with nature. I like to go walking or hiking when I have the opportunity and the time (not so much of either so far, since we arrived in Kentucky!).
I am looking forward to learning a lot from this – my first online class – not only from my instructor, but also I am sure I can learn much from all my fellow students.
