Petty Officer Miriam’s students carried out a study that contributed to changing the uniforms of Corporals and Sailors
By First Lieutenant (RM2-T) Leonardo Trindade – Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Brazilian Navy (MB) Veterans Day, celebrated today (10), honors the men and women, military and civil servants, who have served the nation for years. They are professionals who have helped build the history of the institution, working for the security and defense of the country. Many of them are still working as instructors, mentors and in other support roles in the Naval Force.
Courage, commitment and esprit de corps are some of the feelings encouraged and developed during a military career. In this context, the life stories of many veterans are marked by overcoming challenges, improving leadership and collective achievements. One of these stories is that of Reserve Petty Officer Miriam dos Santos Lima, who served in the MB for 28 years and is now proud of her career.
For the Laguna, Santa Catarina native, one of the most memorable moments of her career was her participation in the project to change the uniforms of Corporals and Sailors. In 2017, she was an instructor at the Almirante Alexandrino Instruction Centre in Rio de Janeiro, teaching the subject “Excellence in Management” to sailors on the Specialization Course. Based on the content taught, the students developed a study for the adoption of a gray uniform to replace the uniform known as “mescla”, which consisted of dark blue denim pants, a blue shirt and a white caxangá (hat). The idea came about with the aim of standardizing the uniforms of MB officers and non-commissioned officers.
“I had a very special experience when I was an instructor. In the classroom, the subject I taught sought to promote initiative and proactivity. Based on my students’ initial project, there was this significant change in uniforms. This brought me great joy, and today, I can only be grateful for having lived through this experience, which marked not only my students’ lives, but especially mine,” said Petty Officer Miriam.
Petty Officer Miriam joined the Navy in 1993 as a Corporal in the Administration specialty. During her career, she served in the Command of the 1st Naval District, the Almirante Alexandrino Instruction Center and the Santa Catarina Sailor Apprentice School. On April 27, 2021, she left active service, with the feeling that choosing military life was not only the result of looking for a good job, but above all the possibility of practicing her profession in an environment full of good challenges.
Emotionally, she recalls the feeling of having passed the exam, the changes that came with the new routine and the joy and pride of her family. Petty Officer Miriam has been married to Marcos Lima for 34 years. They have two children and two granddaughters.
“Passing the competition was certainly a great achievement and meant a lot to me and my family. We had dreamed together, wished for a lot and, in those first few days, our dream was coming true. The memories are the best possible: the initial contact with the classmates, the difficulties of the moment and, without a shadow of a doubt, the gratitude and happiness of living through such an important phase that would mark my life forever,” she recalls.
Among the values shared in military life, Petty Officer Miriam highlights the importance of team spirit and camaraderie, which have also made a difference in her personal life.
“No one can walk alone and nothing can be achieved without company. The atmosphere of camaraderie and military life, especially in the Navy, means that we can achieve goals that would have been unimaginable. In these 28 years, I have worked with some very special people and have been given the gift of great and true friends. Individuals who have been a reference and an inspiration to me, regardless of their position or rank. True and precious friendships that I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” she added.
Miriam recalls the countless contributions and examples of veterans she received and admired during her career. Today, she is the one who inspires and guides those who are in the Force and also those who want to join the military: “May your daily quest be to be better every day and not just to be the best. Those who seek to be the best need to surpass others, but those who seek to be a better person need to surpass themselves. That’s the key to success,” he advises.
Source: Agência Marinha de Notícias *** Translated by the DEFCONPress FYI Team *** Featured photo: Class of sailors who, in 2017, presented the suggestion to change the uniform – Image: Personal Archive