EP 24: How Sonny Sets Foot in the US Military's Tip of the Spear by Choosing the Army (Part 2)

Afterthought on The Military Family

How true is this: You can take the Pinoy out of the Philippines but you can't take the Philippines out of the Pinoy?

My guest moved to the US when he was two and always wanted to serve in the military since he was five. He served in the US Military and US Foreign Service, yet married a Filipina.

Even though he doesn't speak Filipino, he didn't let it stop him from teaching in the PMA. For free. Why? So he can give back to the Philippines. How? By helping senior PMA cadets be the best versions of themselves using the West-Point way.

Listen to this episode to learn from Sonny Busa how to take your own path and live life your own way without forgetting to look back.

About the Guest:

In 1976, Sonny Busa graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was an Army officer before entering the State Department as a Diplomatic Officer, serving in Honduras, Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Ethiopia, and Kuwait.

He returned to the United States to work as a Professor of International Relations at West Point, and then he taught at the Philippine Military Academy in the Philippines.

He is married to Ceres Kawagas from Samar, and they have three daughters and four grandchildren.

Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:

• Discover the wonders and rewards of teaching as a profession
• Learn why the US Military prioritizes military families the same way as service members
• Learn how military members can get help for mental health issues within the service.

Check out these episode highlights:

• (01:28) - From Latin America to Asia as a Consul General
• (02:56) - His humbling experience serving in the Philippines
• (04:31) - Getting called back to West Point to give presentations
• (04:55) - His West Point teaching career
• (08:54) - How he was "convinced" to teach in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA)
• (10:36) - The advantage of being the only one to teach both at West Point and PMA
• (13:37) - The benefits of entering the PMA and the culture within the campus
• (17:03) - Comparing the mental health issues of the past with today
• (19:03) - Struggles of the PMA cadets compared to West Point cadets
• (21:17) - The importance of having a family while doing overseas assignment
• (24:53) - His message to the military families
• (27:11) - His advice to members struggling with their mental health
• (28:31) - What the military means to him
• (29:22) - How the military helps him to be a better person

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DISCLAIMER:

The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the host and guests, and do not reflect the views, positions, and opinions of the U.S. Military, its Foreign Counterparts, and/or other entities they represent.