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SEMBACH, Germany – Born to a Lebanese father and a Greek/Turkish mother, Hussein Hamdan’s childhood was spent in the vibrant neighborhoods of Beirut, Lebanon and Izmir, Turkey. During this time he developed a love for languages. After serving successfully in the United States Air Force for more than twenty years, Hamdan currently serves as a civilian in the Department of the Army where he works as a Staff Action Coordinator for the Army Medical Readiness Command, Europe (MRC,EUR) in Sembach Kaserne, Germany .
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SEMBACH, Germany – Born to a Lebanese father and a Greek/Turkish mother, Hussein Hamdan’s childhood was spent in the vibrant neighborhoods of Beirut, Lebanon and Izmir, Turkey. During this time he developed a love for languages.
Hamdan had always dreamed of moving to the United States and becoming an American citizen. In 1999, at the age of 17, he finally got his wish. After graduating from a French school in Beirut and having his immigration papers approved, he packed his suitcase and moved to America, where he lived with his uncle in Bethesda, Maryland.
Shortly after arriving in America, Hamdan’s first job was working at a McDonalds fast food restaurant. Soon after taking that job, he realized that he wanted more out of life and knew deep down that he could make better use of his talents and language skills.
“Working at McDonald’s was a barrage of orders, the sizzle of fries and the unmistakable smell of hamburger grease that lingered with me long after I clocked out,” says Hamdan. “My uncle always joked about it and teased me about smelling like fries. This just reminded me that every step towards my dreams counted.”
Shortly thereafter, Hamdan packed up and moved to Florida, where he worked various low-paying jobs in the retail and hotel industries.
“I worked a few jobs while in college in Florida, and soon the idea of joining the military started taking shape in my head,” Hamdan added. “I had a strong admiration for military service and wanted to become a naval officer. However, to my disappointment, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis did not deny the citizenship requirement to become a cadet. However, I was determined to pursue a military career. That’s when I learned about the unique opportunities the U.S. Air Force had to offer. It was an attraction I just couldn’t ignore.”
After much soul-searching, Hamdan finally enlisted in the United States Air Force in 2003.
“After completing basic training and technical school, I received my first assignment at Beale AFB, California,” Hamdan said. “This is where my mentor advised me to use my foreign language skills and attend the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California. At DLI, I became certified in four languages and became a member of the base honor guard unit. Being part of the honor guard allowed me to participate in community events statewide and represent the Air Force.”
In 2005 the long wait was over. Hamdan’s lifelong dream came true when he became an American citizen.
“I officially became a U.S. citizen in 2005,” Hamdan added. “This was a powerful moment that strengthened my commitment to the country I chose to serve. During my 20 years in the Air Force, I have learned more about the world and the power of the U.S. Armed Forces with every assignment and military academic course.”
Throughout his military career, Hamdan’s broad language skills afforded him unique opportunities to serve several senior U.S. military officers and other foreign dignitaries.
“I was fluent in several languages – a skill that became invaluable to the U.S. military, especially during my assignments in eastern and western Turkey and Belgium,” Hamdan added. “Some of my most memorable moments came from translating at high-stakes meetings and bridging the gap between senior military leaders like retired US Army General Mark Milley and civilian leaders from diverse backgrounds at various NATO conferences. I was able to see firsthand how my words helped build trust and mutual understanding at critical moments.”
After a successful military career spanning more than twenty years, Hamdan retired from the USAF at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium.
“Looking back, my time in service was filled with moments of pride,” Hamdan added. “I had the opportunity to meet other service members from around the world and we all shared in a common mission that was bigger than ourselves. Serving in the United States Army meant the world to me. It was my way of giving back to a country that welcomed me and gave me the opportunity to build a new life. I wore my uniform with pride and each rank earned was a testament to hard work, resilience and the belief that people from all backgrounds can contribute something valuable.”
As of October 2024, Hamdan is currently a civilian of the Department of the Army where he serves as the Staff Action Coordinator for the United States Army Medical Readiness Command, Europe (MRC,EUR) in Sembach Kaserne, Germany.