On Veterans’ Day, we pay tribute to the outstanding service and dedication of our nation’s veterans. The Graduate School is proud to highlight the journey of senior administrative assistant Mayra Leonard, MS, as a soldier and military spouse. Before coming to UTHealth Houston, Leonard served 11 years in the U.S. Army, filling several diverse roles in infantry, administration, logistics, and human resources, eventually retiring with the rank of Staff Sergeant. During her time in the Army, she forged personal and professional connections and returned to civilian life with many valuable lessons.

Leonard began her military career in April 2000 with Basic Combat Training (BCT), or boot camp, at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, then attended Advanced Individual Training with the 369^th Adjutant General Battalion in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Leonard entered BCT as an E4 specialist, as she held a bachelor’s degree in secretarial sciences from Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico. Her experience in boot camp emphasized teamwork and unity, transforming individuals into soldiers. After training, Leonard joined the 292^nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB), then transferred to the Puerto Rico Army National Guard (PRARNG) Joint Forces Headquarters in 2001.

Leonard learns about laws and logistics on her path to becoming Sergeant

Throughout her tenure as a soldier, Leonard served in diverse roles across multiple departments, giving her valuable insights into the workings of several different areas of the Army. Her position as Legal Secretary for a Staff Judge Advocate gave her the opportunity to learn about military, federal, and state laws through handling complex court cases. She gained experience in financial and logistical operations following her transition to Administrative Assistant for the United States Property and Fiscal Office (USPFO). This role broadened her understanding of the multifaceted aspects of military support operations and prepared her for a more in-depth position in property and logistics as a Supply Technician at the Deputy Chief of Staff and Logistics (DCSLOG J4). In this job, Leonard shifted from handling human-related matters to addressing large-scale matters of property logistics in the deployment of units to combat zones. During her time as a Supply Technician, Leonard completed a Primary Leadership Developmental Course and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

Peacekeeping mission uncovers future husband for Leonard

Leonard also had the honor of serving with the 292^nd CSSB on a deployment to Sinai, Egypt, for a peacekeeping mission with the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO). The MFO was established in 1981 and brings together armies from across the world to work alongside the United States military on peacekeeping efforts. During this deployment, Leonard met her future husband, Sergeant First-Class (Ret.) David Leonard. Leonard chose not to pursue reenlistment after their marriage in February 2011 in order to provide a more stable life for their daughter. After her retirement, she and her husband moved to Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia. Leonard’s husband retired from active duty in 2015.

Leonard sees the balance between soldier and military spouse as the heart of her journey with the Army. “I am both a veteran and a veteran’s wife,” she says, a balance that became especially important in the years between her retirement and her husband’s. Between 2011 and 2015, Leonard supported her husband’s career by volunteering with his battalion’s Family Readiness Group in preparation for deployments, serving as a liaison for other Spanish-speaking wives, and participating in family activities with the group. Her own experience as a soldier gave her unique insights into the challenges faced by military families and positioned her to support others in a meaningful way.

Leonard left the Army with valuable lessons both for herself and her family. Her time in the military gave her a sense of purpose and allowed her to forge meaningful connections with others, as well as hone practical skills for her civilian career. Most importantly, her experience taught her the value of determination. She faced unique challenges both as a woman and as an officer’s wife who was also a soldier, and through these challenges learned to adapt, overcome, and achieve.