Why I Serve- Olena Terzi

The Latin phrase “E Pluribus Unum,” which translates to “Out of Many, One,” reflects the strength of a nation shaped by diverse backgrounds, experiences, and stories, united by a common purpose. Enter Spc. Olena Terzi, the ideal is more than a national motto, it is a principle that has influenced her zeal for service and subsequent military career.

A native of Ukraine, Terzi has lived in several countries, including Turkey and China, before settling in the United States. Her travels provided her with experiences that fostered a deep appreciation for the opportunities and perspectives of different cultures. In turn, those experiences shaped her desire to serve and give back to the community that welcomed her and her family.

“I genuinely wanted to give back to the country that welcomed me and my family and became our new home,” Terzi said. “I wanted to show my gratitude not just through words, but through action.”

Those actions manifested themselves in the form of her current role as the executive assistant to the D.C. National Guard’s Command Senior Enlisted Leader. Terzi supports leadership by ensuring coordination necessary for mission success. Some of her tasks include managing schedules, meetings, travel, transportation, and engagements with Soldiers and Airmen. Working closely with senior leadership strengthened her understanding of professionalism, teamwork, accountability, and the importance of taking care of service members. She credits Cecil Smith, the former Command Senior Enlisted Leader, with her successful professional development.

“He is the pure example of leading by example,” Terzi said. “He would never ask any Soldier or Airman to do something that he is not going to do.”

While working alongside service members from across the country and partnering with law enforcement personnel on the DC Safe and Beautiful mission, Terzi’s beliefs were reinforced. The experience strengthened her conviction that meaningful results depend on people from different backgrounds working together toward a shared purpose.

In addition to her military responsibilities, her professional aspirations are just as ambitious. A mother of three and graduate student in Forensic Psychology, she balances military service, higher education, and motherhood. Each responsibility contributes to her personal growth and reinforces the values she hopes to pass on to her children.

“I want my children to see that service means commitment, that service means responsibility, and that it’s being part of something bigger than yourself,” Terzi said.

Whether she is supporting senior leaders, collaborating with fellow service members, pursuing her degree, or raising her children, Terzi remains grateful for her life in the United States, using her service as a way to demonstrate the values she holds most dear. Through her service in the DC National Guard, Terzi continues to give back to the country that welcomed her family while setting an example of commitment and perseverance for the next generation. Her story reflects the many contributions of military service that take place, molding a generation of dedicated community leaders.

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