Sergeant Bryant Hernandez had never volunteered before arriving at the U.S. Army Proving Ground (YPG), and now he has the most volunteer hours on the post.

Hernandez works at the YPG medical clinic as a non-commissioned officer in the vaccination department and an army medic.

He explained, “I make sure that the soldiers and their dependents have up-to-date vaccinations. To ensure this, I work closely with the provider. I am also a health specialist, a medic. I screen patients for the provider and support the provider.”

Outside of work, Hernandez is actively involved in the community.

“I believe in giving back to the community and making a positive impact. I also enjoy acquiring new skills and experiences that help me grow as an individual,” he said.

Between May 2003 and August 2004, Hernandez completed over 100 hours of volunteer work at his post. He volunteered at Halo Chapel and the Army Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Office.

“I love volunteering in the ASAP program because I love connecting with the community. I want to make a difference, especially at YPG because I love this place of service. I love making this place a better place.”

Through ASAP, he collected unwanted prescriptions from the Yuma Police Department and spoke at a local middle school to educate students about the dangers of illegal drugs.

Although Hernandez is at the top of the list, he is not alone in his volunteer work. Sergeant Jason Yang volunteers with Army Community Services, the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program, Halo Chapel and the Yuma Community Food Bank. Before his permanent transfer in July, Captain Ian Wrigglesworth volunteered more than 500 hours with the Martinez Lake Fire District. The community will also see volunteers at the Post Library.

According to Army regulations, volunteers must register on site. Volunteer coordinator Gisela Robles explains the benefits of official registration: “They receive a certificate with the total number of hours they have volunteered during the year and can add this experience to their resume.”

Those interested in volunteering can contact the facility they want to volunteer at directly and the Organization Point of Contact (OPOC) can assist them in signing up to volunteer. Those interested in volunteering but aren’t sure where can contact Robles at extension 3350. She can then speak with the OPOCs to find out where help is needed. To be eligible to volunteer, a person must be at least 14 years old. Current employees can also volunteer outside of their regular work hours.

Hernandez will continue to use his free time for volunteer work.
“I love Yuma, I love YPG. It also gives me a sense of purpose. It’s not just about me. It’s not just about my career. It’s about everyone here. I just want to make it a better place.”