Chapel Soldier departs to become Army recruiter

Staff Sgt. Jorge Padilla knows challenges await as he leaves Bicentennial Chapel for his next duty assignment.

Padilla, the funds and operations NCO for the Religious Support Office, will become an Army recruiter in Burlington, North Carolina. He will be assigned to the battalion in Raleigh which belongs to the 2nd Recruiting Brigade.

“I know it will be a rollercoaster assignment, ups and downs,” Padilla, who reports May 10, said. “I believe in myself.”

Garrison Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Matt Madison presented Padilla two Army Commendation Medals, one an impact award for his contributions specifically in the chapel, during his sendoff April 12

at the chapel.

“We’re going to miss you,” Madison said. “I’m going to miss you especially, the knowledge, expertise.”

Padilla, 32, from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, arrived at Redstone in June 2021. He has been in the Army seven years. Padilla got involved with recruiting by helping one of the recruiters who was here with the 2nd Recruiting Brigade. Padilla went with him to different high school events like JROTC field days. Padilla volunteered for recruiting school and he was there from January to March, where he got promoted.

“Just use all the gifts God has given you,” Madison said. “You’re going to be a great recruiter.”

Padilla sold his house in Harvest, and he planned to move to Burlington this week. His two sons are Andres, 4, and Adrian, 2.

He shared his thoughts on leaving after two and a half years.

“It’s sad because Huntsville is a nice city,” Padilla said. “I would say Huntsville is the best city that I’ve been stationed in my military career.”