Professional Responsibilities:
Ms. Ramos is a three-time combat veteran with 20 years of service.  Currently a Major (Military Police) and Strategic Analyst with the Nevada Army National Guard, she is responsible for determining our current force capabilities and aligning them with the National Guard Bureau, the National Defense Strategy and National Military Strategy.

After six years in the law sector, Denisse recently opened her own law firm where she is the managing attorney of The Ramos Law Firm with a focus on immigration, estate planning and civil cases.

In her words…

CHILDHOOD:
I was born and grew up in East Los Angeles, California. My upbringing was very family oriented, cultural and overall warm. We lived in a two-bedroom house where my 4 siblings and I stayed in one room and my parents in another. My father was from Mexico and my mother from El Salvador. The family was all very close, and I recall many family gatherings we had in celebration of our birthdays. My brother and I were the youngest. We spent a lot of time outside playing with our bikes, skateboards and climbing trees with our cousins. We attended elementary school a block away from home and walked there with my little brother daily. When I was 14-years-old, my older siblings began getting involved in gangs and criminal activity. My parents were concerned that my little brother and I would follow in their footsteps and moved us to Las Vegas, NV.

HOBBIES:
I enjoy working out and actively play soccer. I love to travel and watch movies.

CAREER SUMMARY:
I joined the Army at 17-years-old and trained as a unit supply specialist. In 2003, I deployed with the 72nd Military Police Company as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and part of the 2003 Iraq invasion. In 2005, I promoted to Sergeant (E5) and then received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant through the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Reserve Officer Training Corps. (UNLV ROTC) program as a Military Police Officer. In 2007 and 2008, I deployed as a Platoon Leader to Basra, Iraq and for again in 2011, as the Security Force Commander in Afghanistan.  I led counter-insurgency operations and executed security missions for a specialized team; including civilians and allied foreign nationals. I was also a part of the Female Engagement Team for Logar Province, Afghanistan.

I was selected to command the 137th MP Detachment, the 72nd MP Company, and Nevada Joint Force Headquarters (NV-JFHQ), leading over 170 Soldiers at any given time. My most recent assignment was at the National Capital Region, working as a Strategic Analyst for the National Guard Bureau. I attended Mountain Warfare School, the Western Hemisphere Institute of Security Cooperation, and am now a part of the Nevada Army National Guard strategy team. My awards include four Army Commendation Medals, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Combat Action Badge, the Mountaineer Badge, and The Bronze Star Medal.

In sync with my military career, I attended UNLV, Regent University, and the Arizona Summit Law School. At UNLV, I was the Vice President of the Student Organization of Latinos. I earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in organizational leadership. In Law School, I was the President of the Hispanic Law Student Association, a board member of the Veteran Law Student Association, and the Hispanic Bar Association Scholarship recipient. I am a licensed attorney and a member of the State Bar of Nevada. By the end of 2020, I will be sworn in and licensed as an attorney in Washington, DC. I am the founder, owner and managing attorney of The Ramos Law Firm in Las Vegas, Nevada, with a focus on civil, immigration, and estate planning cases.

Are there any childhood contributing factors or events that have helped direct or guide you to your success today?

My father was the educated one, always discussing the importance of knowledge and helping others. He was very humble and always ensured we knew where our family came from. This kept me humble and until this day everything I do is in an effort to serve others in what I am best in. It also made me proud of the culture I grew up in.

My mother initially was regarded as the enforcer by all of us in the family because she was on top of us all the time, making sure our grades were up and that we would not slack. We always had to help around the house, look out for each other and maintain a family unity. She instilled the strength I currently have and the discipline I needed to take on the journey I am in today.

Hearing both of my parents’ journeys to the United States has also inspired and greatly contributed to holding myself accountable for the life I lead.

What have you sacrificed both professionally and personally at each stage of your career?

Family time for sure. All the deployments, the trainings, the schools, and assignments have kept me away from home for several years. I have also ended many personal relationships and kept myself from getting close to partners due to a fear of having to leave them in short notice for my career.

Family and personal relationships are honestly what matters the most in our lives but most of us do not realize it until it’s too late or have endured enough time away from loved ones. I now make it a priority and am ensuring I work more around my family time than career obligations. I find myself rejecting career opportunities that no longer benefit my family unity.

What are your success habits?

I am a planner, even when things do not even come close to my plan, I have to have a plan. I have a planner, a calendar, a to-do list, a to-buy list and a project list. Now while most make fun of me, I tend to be highly successful in getting things done and prioritize.

I no longer work with individuals that do not share my same values or ethics and I do not waste my time where I could possibly not be wanted.

If I need to take a day off, then I take it. I do not force anything on myself anymore. I read a lot.  I do not put limits on myself or what I can accomplish.  I do not compare myself to anyone and I try to stay as positive with my actions as possible.  I continue working on myself to grow as a leader and overall person.

How do you push through your worst times?

I am currently going through, what I could probably call, one of my worst times dues to my mother’s recent passing. I try to remember how far I have gotten and everything my parents have taught me. Every time I feel unmotivated or a burned out I just “take a knee” and a breather: I allow myself to feel sorry for myself and then get back up.

This has been a learned behavior, I would never allow myself to do this before.

What advice would you give to women trying to achieve your role and responsibilities?

My #1 advice is to make sure it is what you want to pursue, regardless of gender, these career fields do require a form of sacrifice in our lives. Secondly, remember that there are many of us that have already trailed that route, so reach out for help when needed.  Know that nothing is impossible, it’s doable.

Denisse Y. Ramos
Owner and Managing Attorney at The Ramos Law Firm in Las Vegas, NV
Army Major and Strategic Analyst at the Nevada Army National Guard

For more information or to inquire about a speaking engagement with Denisse, contact us now!