FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Spc. Francisco Espino is a straightforward, honest and loyal Soldier who listens.
"I just do what I'm supposed to," Espino said. "I am who I am."
He's also Fort Eustis' Soldier of the Year - an honor bestowed on the specialist after competing against other Soldiers on base in November. Winning third quarter boards base wide put him in the Soldier of the Year running.
So what did he tell the panel that evaluated him for Soldier of the Year?
He told them he's a Soldier who is disciplined, honest and loyal. Espino is the transportation manager coordinator for the clearance section of the 690th Rapid Port Opening Element.
"I don't compromise my integrity," Espino said.
He's always there for other Soldiers who need him to listen or answer questions. "If I don't know (the answer) I try to find out how to help them. I know what a lot of people are going through; I try to give them the best advice I can."
Espino is also a family man who is balancing it all. With his wife, Anastasia, and their children, Gabriel, 16 months, and Arielle, 5 months, he stays committed to family, God and country.
Espino, who enlisted in March 2010 and hails from Wisconsin, had to pass certain qualifications to win Solider of the Year. For the boards, he was scored on different criteria, including Army education, programs and history, qualification of your primary weapon, code of conduct, communications and physical fitness. It's also about how you present yourself.
He also had a past win under his belt to boast about. Espino captured Surface Deployment Distribution Command Soldier of the Year during a ceremony in May at Fort Eustis. He's proud of his accomplishments.
Espino has plans to move upward and onward in the Army. He was recently promoted from private first class to specialist. He hopes to eventually become a sergeant major.
He also wants to earn his master's degree in criminal justice to get into law enforcement as a back-up plan for when and if he retires from the military.
"I find it interesting," he said. "I was raised in a not-so-good neighborhood; I've seen a lot of stuff that goes on."
He knows one person can make a difference.
"I want to be that guy who goes there and tries to change their perspective," Espino said.