Specialist Boyadjian moved to the United States from Lebanon at the age of five with his family after escaping the war as they settled in Los Angeles, California. Soon after moving to Los Angeles, he joined a local chapter of an international Armenian organization, Homenetmen Pasadena Azadamard chapter. In 2003, he enlisted in the US Army and attended his basic training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, quickly becoming a squad leader. He graduated with honors, in the top 10% of his class and went to jump school in Fort Benning, Georgia where earned his jump wings. Boyadjian became a paratrooper stationed with the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His first deployment was to New Orleans for humanitarian aid during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He was then deployed to Iraq for 15 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and during his deployment he was promoted to specialist/corporal. After finishing his four years of active-duty service, he joined the California National Guard and served for two years. Boyadjian continues to serve in the federal government. Some of his awards include, Two Presidential Unit Citations, The Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and a Parachute Badge.
