In March 2010, when the most recent promotion of officers took place in Brazil, one general’s journey in particular stood out. Expedito Alves de Lima, who started as a shoeshine boy in a military unit in Rio de Janeiro when he was just 10, was among the recently promoted generals. To get to know a little more about his fantastic story, Diálogo spoke to Gen. Expedito.

In March 2010, when the most recent promotion of officers took place in Brazil, one general’s journey in particular stood out. Expedito Alves de Lima, who started as a shoeshine boy in a military unit in Rio de Janeiro when he was just 10, was among the recently promoted generals. To get to know a little more about his fantastic story, Diálogo spoke to Gen. Expedito.

DIÁLOGO: Could you tell us a little bit about your childhood in Paraíba and why you went to Rio de Janeiro?

Gen. Expedito Alves de Lima: I was born in 1955 in Paraíba. I am the fifth child among seven siblings. My parents were poor farmers from that region, which was hit very hard by a lack of rain. At one point my father went to Brasília to work in construction jobs in the city, and later to Rio de Janeiro. Back in Paraíba, he decided to permanently move us all to Rio de Janeiro. Sadly, in the middle of 1962 he left his legitimate family to live in an informal union with another woman, after which he disappeared.

DIÁLOGO: How were you admitted as a shoeshine boy in the Social Center of the Santos Dumont Regiment?

Gen. Expedito: I started working as a shoeshine boy near the place where I was living in Rio de Janeiro after I built my own little wooden box and obtained the necessary equipment — brushes, polishes, dyes and flannels — with the proceeds from the sale of discards from the offices of a local bus company. Shortly after, around 1966, while going to elementary school, I heard that I could work as a shoeshine boy in the paratroopers’ barracks, as long as I was authorized by the Social Center [CESO] of the Santos Dumont Regiment, a military organization of the Airborne Division Core, the current Parachute Infantry Brigade.

Along with two other colleagues who were also interested, I went to the CESO, where I obtained authorization to work in those barracks. I then started receiving frequent advice, encouragement to study, and material help from the officers and Soldiers.

DIÁLOGO: How did you decide to pursue a military career?

Gen. Expedito: My interest in a military career started very early on, gradually getting stronger starting when I was 10 years old, when I first started working at the barracks. I also spent time with some children of military personnel, who went to the Ginásio Estadual Presidente Getúlio Vargas middle school with me and talked about pursuing a military career. In mid-1971, talking to Sergeant Venício, I mentioned that I would finish middle school at the end of that year but was not sure whether I could continue studying. He talked to me a lot about the Army Cadet Preparatory School [EsPCEx] and later on gave me an application and instructions for the admission exam. After passing the exam, I studied there for three years, consolidating my decision to pursue a military career with my subsequent enrollment in the Agulhas Negras Military Academy [AMAN], graduating in 1978.

one of Gen. Expedito Alves de Lima’s greatest accomplishments as a young man was passing the admission exam for Ginásio Estadual Presidente Getúlio Vargas middle school. [photos provided by brazil's ARMY SOCIAL COMMUNICATION CENTER (CCOMCEX)]

DIÁLOGO: How did you advance in your career? And what were your challenges and most difficult tests in this advancement?

Gen. Expedito: I sought to advance by always making an effort to do what I understood was best for the institution, although it required many sacrifices, both personal and on a family level. Despite being recently married, I served in a Category 1 Special Garrison, and I also accepted all invitations to take on new responsibilities, particularly to become an instructor. Undoubtedly, the challenge of starting my career was the hardest and most decisive of them all. Once the hurdle of the admission exam was overcome, very early on came the isolation from family and friends, in the middle of adolescence, in order to study at the EsPCEx and the AMAN, besides the initial difficulties of being a cadet who could not swim.

Gen. Expedito Alves de Lima began working as a shoeshine boy while in elementary school. [photos provided by brazil's ARMY SOCIAL COMMUNICATION CENTER (CCOMCEX)]

DIÁLOGO: What were your greatest accomplishments?

Gen. Expedito: I consider that one of my greatest accomplishments is having passed the admission exam in 1967 for the Ginásio Estadual Presidente Getúlio Vargas middle school, which back then was one of the best schools in Rio de Janeiro and which, although I could not afford a preparatory course or review classes, provided me with the necessary foundation for another major accomplishment: among over 7,000 candidates trying for 235 openings to enter the EsPCEx in 1971, I passed the admission exam. I obtained other important accomplishments during the course of my career, such as three nominations to become an instructor at the AMAN and two to become an instructor at the Army Command and General-Staff School.

El General Expedito Alves de Lima (izquierda) recibe la Espada de Oficial General de su patrocinador, el oficial retirado General Domingos Carlos de Campos Curado, Reserva de Primera Clase en el 2010. [photos provided by brazil's ARMY SOCIAL COMMUNICATION CENTER (CCOMCEX)]

DIÁLOGO: Did you have further contact with the officers from the time when you worked as a shoeshine boy? What were their reactions? What about yours?

Gen. Expedito: On some later occasions, I met officers and Soldiers whom I knew from back when I worked as a shoeshine boy. In all these situations in which we met again, their reactions were always very emotional, of clear pride and satisfaction in seeing me conquering each step, moving up through the ranks. Whenever I saw any of them, I always showed them my gratitude and recognition for what they had done for me, and above all, for the valuable friendships that were solidified and strengthened as time passed.

DIÁLOGO: What lessons can you draw from your experience?

Gen. Expedito: My life experience, culminating with my recent ascension to the rank of general, unequivocally proves the democratic character of the Brazilian Army, which offers equal opportunities to all entrants, regardless of origin, race, religion or social status. The healthy environment I enjoyed during my childhood, still as a civilian, in the barracks, besides motivating my professional choices, certainly protected me from the negative influence of bad company, some of which was to be found in the neighborhood where I used to live.

El General Expedito Alves de Lima y su madre el día de la ceremonia de Presentación de Espada de Cadetes en la Academia Militar de Agulhas Negras en 1975. [photos provided by brazil's ARMY SOCIAL COMMUNICATION CENTER (CCOMCEX)]

DIÁLOGO: You are a role model for millions of young people. What advice would you give to those who are thinking about following in your footsteps?

Gen. Expedito: If my example can be used positively by young people today, I would like to emphasize the importance of listening to one’s elders, those who obviously want the best for us; and of being alert to not let oneself succumb to negative influences; to learn to live today with a well-defined set of life goals for tomorrow and for the future.

DIÁLOGO: What are the characteristics of a good leader?

Gen. Expedito: I would highlight, among the main characteristics of a good leader, professional merit, which is strengthened by the experience acquired with time; the ability to set an example, as a reference to be followed; presence, a fundamental action that provides more knowledge through strengthening ties and interactions with subordinates; and credibility, without which no leadership can be sustained.

Col. Julio Cesar Mota Martins de Almeida (left), Quartermaster Corps, 1st Class Reserve, and Gen. Expedito Alves de Lima pose as fourth-year cadets at the Military Academy of Agulhas Negras. [photos provided by brazil's ARMY SOCIAL COMMUNICATION CENTER (CCOMCEX)]

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I am very proud to call you YOUR EXCELLENCY! We need more people like you! My sincere congratulations and may GOD bless you and make you a whole model for the entire Brazilian nation!

Espedito on 24/01/2013 at 02:53PM

Discipline, goodwill, perseverance, love for the studies and work. OBEDIENCE, strength of spirit. All the previously mentioned took this singular sir, to be a successful man. God blessed him, MY GENERAL. You are an example to the world. A hug from all the Columbians and from my family, husband and kids. From Sincelejo, Sucre, COLOMBIA. Amanda Callejas Caballero.

amanda callejas caballero on 13/04/2011 at 06:04PM

In a world so devoid of values and principles. It is these men that are humble but immensely large that elevates societies and institutions, being an example of steadfastness, perseverance and desire to succeed to the youth of his country. Congratulations my general and my hopes because the times and circumstances do not change.

Luis Rubio on 08/04/2011 at 11:01AM

Congratulations to our dear General, who became successful not only because of the people who helped him, but also due to his warrior nature, good character, persistency and discipline. Congratulations to this website for the interview. It debunked a myth I used to believe in. I used to believe that the Army and the Military Forces were elitist. I have a son, a brother and a godfather (uncle) in the Military and I had the wrong idea. Thank you!

marcia freitas on 12/01/2011 at 08:05PM

What an amazing testimony, this shows us that whoever wants to succeed can in spite of many barriers they may have to face. CONGRATULATIONS GENERAL! This is an example for young people.

luz hernández rodríguez on 29/12/2010 at 12:03PM

A good example to be followed, as that of other Generals, that I have the honor and privilege of calling friends. Congratulations, General Expedito. Our country needs more Men (with a capital "M") like yourself.

Aniz Buissa on 20/12/2010 at 02:04PM

I met General Expedito this week in Brasília during the installation of the Board of the Brazilian Magistrate Association. I was impressed by his simplicity and nobility and happy to learn he was born in my home state, Paraíba, in the city of Taperoá. He has been a role model for the Brazilians who have their opportunity to succeed in life through studying and working, overcoming the difficulties they have to face. Manoel Abrantes, Judge, 3rd Regional Court of João Pessoa-PB.

Manoel Abrantes on 18/12/2010 at 08:05AM

This story is incourageble for human

Mohammad Zahoor on 27/11/2010 at 03:05PM

 

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