> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Santa Monica Soldier Sgt. Jose Torres Returns Home from Kosovo Deployment - URL: https://www.smdp.com/c-o-m-m-u-n-i-t-y-p-r-o-f-i-l-e-s-i-s-a-w-e-e-k-l-y-s-e-r-i-e-s-t-h-a-t-a-p-p-e-a-r-s-e-a-c-h-m-o-n-d-a-y-a-n-d-d-e-l-v-e-s-i-n-t-o-t-h-e-p-e-o-p-l-e-20060206/ - Published: 2006-02-06T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T17:11:14.000Z - Author: Ryan Hyatt - Tags: Education, Santa Monica, #archive-import A Santa Monica military soldier has recently returned home from Kosovo, a region largely bypassed in the press since genocide occurred there in the late ’90s. Sgt. Jose Torres came home on Jan. 22 after a year-and-a-half tour of duty with the National Guard. Based in Camp Montieth, Torres’ unit was part of the United Nations peace-keeping effort that’s been underway in Kosovo since 1999, in an effort to help the Serbian province transition into a stable government. Torres, 31, is married to Autumn and has three children, Violeta, 10, Rosamaria, 5, and Lilyana, 1\. The two eldest children attend Will Rogers Elementary School. Torres was raised in Walnut and attended Del Paso High School. He worked security until he enlisted in the Army at age 22. A military man for nearly a decade, Torres’ family has been living in Santa Monica for the past four years, during which he has been signed on with the reserves. His tour in Kosovo was his first time abroad. “It’s nice to be home,” he said. “I miss good weather and my wife’s home cooking. One thing I don’t miss is the traffic. No matter where you’re deployed, you’ll never forget it once you’re back in it.” Torres said the situation in Kosovo is still very much up in the air. His unit seemed to hear little news about developments while stationed there. Since 1999, the United Nations Mission In Kosovo (UNMIK) has established a provisional assembly and president, as well as legislative and executive bodies, which are under the UNMIK’s control. So far, the parliament has enacted a constitutional framework, customs code, and two criminal codes, which have been approved by the UNMIK. Control of security, justice and external affairs are still under full UNMIK control. Elections for the Assembly of Kosovo were held in November 2001 and again in 2004. Torres, whose front-line training specializes in field support, said his unit was called out on several occasions in Kosovo to respond to gunfire. Fortunately, those skirmishes were largely assuaged by the time his unit arrived. “There was a lot of anticipation and a lot of anxiety whether or not Kosovo would be handed back to the Albanians or Serbia, but luckily enough we didn’t have any serious situations while we were there,” Torres said. Kosovo is still recognized internationally as part of Serbia. Its final status has not yet been resolved, though talks on the subject are planned for 2006, and considerable difficulties lie ahead in reconciling the Kosovo Albanian, Kosovo Serb and Belgrade positions. The Kosovo Albanians reject Serbian sovereignty and demand secession from the country. On the other side, Serbia is opposed to yielding any of its territory, and domestic opinion — supported by the existence of a centuries-old written, material and architectural history — continues to see the province as the heartland of Serbian culture. The international community is reluctant to see Kosovo become independent, as its independence without Belgrade’s consent would violate international law. Questions also have been raised about whether an independent Kosovo would be politically or economically viable, given its small size, the state of its economy and fears that criminal and smuggling networks have strong positions there. Until his tour of duty in Kosovo, Torres worked for the World Protection Group, which provides protective services for dignitaries, VIPs and high-profile events. He said he hopes to resume working for the company. Torres recently sat down with the Daily Press to talk about his experience in Kosovo and living in Santa Monica. Why did you become a soldier? “It was a childhood dream. I always wanted to serve. I can say it’s a fun life, but it’s also a very structured life. The good part about it is that you know what you’re doing, day in and day out. The only problem you don’t know is whether there is going to be any conflict and to where you might be rushed off. “I did basic training in Fort Jackson, S.C., in 1996\. From there I went on to advanced training, which is automated logistics, which is in the supply field, and that took me to Ft. Lee, Va. From there, I went on to airborne school, which is held at Ft. Benning, Ga. From there, I volunteered to become attached to the 82nd Airborne Division.” You’ve jumped out of airplanes? “Oh, yeah. It’s a lot of fun. I haven’t done much of it on the civilian side, but I’d like to. Unfortunately, I can’t find a lot of friends and associates who want to jump out of an airplane with me. In the military, you jump by yourself. My first jump was about March of 1997, when I attended jump school. It lasted for three weeks, and my first jump was probably one of the greatest feelings I’ve ever felt. “There’s a little bit of anxiety when you step up to the door and you see everything below you. Then you take that leap of faith, exhilarating. It’s a rush. I still remember my first couple of jumps. I was-n’t able to sleep at night, just from the adrenaline alone. We jump when there’s funding, but it’s been a while.” How has military life been for your family? “My wife and I met through high school acquaintances. She’s been really supportive. I’d say she’s just as strong a trooper as I have been. She’s been willing to stick around and take care of the kids. I don’t think anything can prepare you for being separated from a loved one for a year, but while I was on active duty there were periods of time when she was alone. She’s been really strong.” Why did you switch from active duty to the reserves? “I spent four years with the 82nd Airborne Division, and at that point I realized it would be hard to juggle family life with the military life, so I realized that the military may not be the best career goal, as far juggling a family is concerned. I figured I’d give it a try and get out. I left active duty in 2000 and after a year, I realized how much I actually missed it, so I decided to do the reserves.” How did you end up in Kosovo? “I was getting ready to leave my final term in the National Guard and came to the realization we were being deployed, so I decided to extend my enlistment tour and give it a chance. I was really glad my wife and kids were supportive of me going overseas. Of course they had some anxiety, but they were really strong and supportive helping me get through that. Last thing you want to see is your family hurt over you leaving somewhere when you really don’t have a choice in the matter.” Doesn’t the National Guard stay within the country? “That’s what everyone has a reason to believe. Everyone has the understanding that our National Guard is here to save us in times of crisis, but because of the conflicts going on around the world, I guess we’re short on units. The rotations overseas are long and stringent to keep active duty soldiers going. Typically they last six months to a year, but lately, a year or longer. I have friends already working on their third rotation in Iraq. It’s very hard for them and their families, especially for those who make it a career.” What’s it like being in the military right now? “With the troops in Iraq, there seems to have been a significant strain. I’d imagine so. Quite a few of my friends are in Afghanistan and Iraq, and being some of the troops I was with in Kosovo, you see some of the hardships they go through. Some people have gone their whole career in the military without seeing any conflict. Nowadays, it seems conflicts is going to be the norm.” What now? “Back to work. I’m hoping my boss will rehire me. It’s a good job. I’m glad to be back. I’ve missed my wife and kids. A year and a half is a long time.” *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 6, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/020606.pdf?ref=smdp.com)