Sergeant First Class Vota enlisted in the US Army in 2008 and attended OSUT at Fort Benning, Georgia where he was awarded the MOS 11B Infantryman.  SFC Vota has been assigned to 1st Armored Division, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, 82nd Airborne Division, 193rd Infantry Brigade and the 3rd Cavalry Regiment. He has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Sergeant First Class Vota has led a diversified career holding the positions of Riflemen, Grenadier, Automatic Riflemen, Team Leader, Section Leader, Squad Leader, Weapon’s Squad Leader, Drill Sergeant, Senior Drill Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant and First Sergeant.

Some of his schools include Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course, Combative Master Trainer Course, Squad Designated Marksmanship Course, SHARP Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Drill Sergeant Course, Maneuver Senior Leader Course (Commandants List), Infantry Advanced Leader Course, and Basic Leader Course.

His awards include one Meritorious Service Medal, six Army Commendation Medals, six Army Achievement Medals, the Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Senior Rated Airborne Wings, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Expert Infantryman Badge.