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Kenya Native Becomes a US Army Reserve Medic
Joshua Omwenga, a Kenyan-born healthcare provider has become a US Army reserve medic.
Spc. Omwenga, who was born and raised in Western Kenya, is serving as a combat medic with the 444th Minimal Care Detachment of the US military.
The specialist worked as a teacher in Kenya before moving to the US after winning the green card Diversity Visa lottery, according to the US Army official website.
Thanks to his background in biology, Omwenga worked as a lab technician when he arrived in the US and was interested in pursuing the medical field and decided to join the US Army Reserve.
After arrival in the US, it took Omwenga four months to enlist to become a healthcare specialist.
“His time in the Army has given him and his family a broader perception of the military and what it means to serve. He has taken the opportunity to expand his skills and share experiences that he would not have been able to do outside the service,” the US Army Reserve Official Website says.
“Being a healthcare provider has provided a means to help others both in his new home and abroad.”
Omwenga is currently providing medical support for Exercise Justified Accord 2022 in Isiolo, Kenya. The international training event began on February 28th and focuses on building relationships between partner nations while also honing participants’ skills.
US service members from active and reserve components were among about 800 representatives who took part in the exercise.
“Over time, there are things you find yourself wishing you could do. I was wishing that someday I would contribute to the stability and security in this region and I’m here today. At least I can say I made my mark here and can move on to the next thing,” said Omwenga.
