When Jose Escobedo was given the opportunity to start college early as an Athens High School PINNACLE student, he had no idea how much Trinity Valley Community College would impact him at such a young age.

“I started dual-credit classes when I was about 15 or 16 years old,” Escobedo shared. “It was neat to have the opportunity to start my mornings at the college every day while still being a high school student. What I didn’t expect was the profound impact it would have on me.”

As a shy student uncertain about his career path, Escobedo initially struggled to find his direction and place at TVCC. However, his professors quickly recognized his potential and encouraged him to step out of his comfort zone.

“I had professors who saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself,” he said. “With their help, I was pushed to overcome my shyness. I not only grew in confidence but also learned the critical skill of adapting to new situations quickly. Those skills became invaluable during my time in the military. Because my professors emphasized the importance of adaptability, I was even recognized for it in my career.”

After completing his basic courses at TVCC, Escobedo transferred to the University of Texas at Tyler. Despite his academic success, he felt a desire for more excitement in his career, which led him to enlist in the military. At a young age, he had an interest in becoming an agent for the Central Intelligence Agency, so starting the process to become an Intelligence Analysts made sense to him.

His training started at Fort Sill, OK and advanced to Fort Huachuca, AZ. During advanced training at Fort Huachuca, over 250 candidates work alongside him, and the end, less than 100 candidates successfully completed rigorous training and exams to qualify as an analyst. While stationed at Fort Huachuca, he also earned an Associate of Applied Science in Intelligence Operations Studies from Cochise College.

Escobedo explained that during his training, he found another essential tool to guide him as an individual: the Military Intelligence Creed. Escobedo shared that the creed is “I am a soldier first, but an intelligence professional second to none. With pride in my heritage but focused on the future. Performing the first task of an Army: to know, find, and never lose the enemy. With a sense of urgency and tenacity, professional and physical fitness, and above all: integrity - for in truth lies victory. Always at silent war while ready for a shooting war. The silent warrior of the Army team.”

“The Creed instilled in me the values of integrity, adaptability, and professionalism,” he added. “It helped me shape my mindset both in and outside of the military. The discipline to always strive for excellence, the ability to quickly adapt to new challenges, and the unwavering commitment to serve with purpose—these principles have been foundational in everything I do, from my career in military intelligence to my personal growth.”

Because of his training and skillset in adapting, he has been recognized with the Army Achievement Medal and Certificate of Achievement for adapting in high-pressure situations. As an intelligence analyst, his role involves assessing, evaluating, and analyzing strategic and tactical information to produce actionable intelligence. This intelligence is then used to brief the commander, aiding in informed decision-making. Currently, he assesses Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs) and evaluate the influence of major global players in Africa. 

When he’s not working, Escobedo enjoys filming videos with his drones and pursuing his drone certification. His passion for drones took off after working with them in the military. While currently a hobby, he is developing it into a side business and has already had his work featured on Visit Dallas’s social media.

He hopes more students see the impact community college and instructors can have on them in their future career's paths.

“Overall, TVCC was a big influence on me,” he exclaimed. “It set a high standard of values for me. I watched so many friends, and even myself, grow into better versions because of TVCC. It helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I’m so grateful for the opportunities it gave me.”