From paratrooper to PBSC graduate: Army veteran finds purpose through education

Edward Cardenas enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2016, driven by a desire to honor his father’s legacy.

Cardenas’ father was a political prisoner in Cuba, enduring grueling conditions during 15 years of imprisonment. After years of fighting for his freedom, he was released in 1989 and sent to the U.S. along with other Cuban political prisoners. He brought his wife and two daughters to safety in Florida, and a few years later, Cardenas became the first in his family born in the United States.

“I joined the Army as a thank you for him giving up his entire childhood to get us to the U.S.,” Cardenas said. “I had a big sense of wanting to serve my country and doing something bigger than myself.”

Cardenas served as a paratrooper with the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment. His first time jumping from a plane was nerve-racking, but he found unexpected calm in the air, a moment that bonded him with his platoon. 

He was stationed in Italy and his role took him across Europe to countries such as Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a mission to reassure North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies and deter aggression in the region. He also had a brief deployment in Turkey, guarding a bomb site less than 100 miles away from Syria.

After four years, Cardenas left the Army in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Transitioning into civilian life proved to be a challenge. He had to navigate the Veterans Affairs (VA) system on his own and felt lost, without a clear path to follow.

Palm Beach State College helped Cardenas find purpose again. Having grown up in West Palm Beach, he was already familiar with PBSC when he enrolled in the Low Voltage Technician career certificate program. After a positive experience with his classes and instructors, he decided to stay at the College to further his education.

Now, Cardenas has graduated with his Associate in Arts degree, but he’s just getting started. He plans to stay at PBSC to pursue a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management. Eventually, he hopes to earn both a master’s and a doctorate degree to reach the highest level of education possible.

He credits the Veterans Success Center for helping him achieve his goals, as they provided support and guidance and helped him feel comfortable at the College. He is especially thankful for PBSC veteran specialist Claudia Hobschaidt who was always welcoming and answered any questions he had.

“Edward’s story is a reminder of why we do what we do. Helping veterans like him rediscover their purpose is the greatest reward.” Hobschaidt said. “His determination and drive to keep going are inspiring.”

Cardenas encourages veterans to go to college as soon as they can. “College is not as scary as you think. We’ve been through way scarier things.” He believes his degree is not just a personal achievement or milestone for his family, it also honors his platoon.

“We've struggled so much together that anytime any of us succeeds in something, it's an achievement for all of us,” Cardenas said. “When you make that brotherhood with those guys, that brotherhood is for life.”