Fil-Am US Army officer inspired by Facebook group to pursue career

Two years ago, Filipino American Maj. Kate Alegado was on the brink of giving up her career in the US Army when she discovered a community-focused Facebook group that changed her life.

Finding a sense of community can be a challenge in the US military, particularly for those with diverse backgrounds. Alegado navigated through these obstacles with the help of her lifeline — a Facebook group.

A few years back, Alegado struggled with feelings of social isolation, which many in the military face as a result of separation from family and friends. 

Seeking support groups familiar with her cultural background, she stumbled upon the Asian American And Pacific Islander Army Officers Facebook community.

“I’m beyond grateful just to know there are others similar to me,” she expressed. “There are people who truly care, there are people who truly understand the path that I went through and the path that my family went through.”

Meanwhile, in recognition of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, the US Army acknowledges the soldiers who have performed their duties with distinction and honor.

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Who are the AANHPI army officers?

Founded in 2020 by Lt. Col Neil Alcaria and Maj. Seth Varayon, this group with nearly 2,000 members started as a Facebook group aiming to unify AANHPI army officers.

Their vision is to foster professional development, community building and mentoring within their community.

Varayon, along with Maj. Gen. Mark Toy, saw the significant presence of AANHPI soldiers while they were in South Korea, which led them to organize a series of leadership and professional development programs.

The initiative grew and extended to other social media platforms, including LinkedIn and Microsoft Teams — which facilitated their virtual leadership meetings and other in-person events.

Alegado, who connected with her mentor within two days after joining the mentorship program, underscored the Facebook group’s efficiency and effectiveness. 

She lauded the organization’s authentic communication and engagement strategy in her LinkedIn. “As a member of this group, I feel fortunate to have been part of such a diverse and talented community, and I’ve learned so much from each member’s experience,” Alegado said.

With their success in building connections with the community, they are looking to expand across the entire US Armed Forces — with the goal of including not just the officers but also enlisted personnel, Army Reserve, National Guard, retirees, spouses and Army civilians.

“We want this group to be inclusive,” Varayon said. “At the end of the day, we are all still connected through our general interest in AANHPI.”