Super-Proud!

[RocketMedic]

One of the soldiers I mentored before I ETSed from the active side is one of (if not the) US Army's first organically-assigned female combat medics ever. This is an infantry company on the frontline, not a support battalion or noncombat unit. PFC Darby is at the tip of the spear, and she earned it. She is literally one of the best 68Ws I have ever met. Please join me in wishing her a speedy, safe and uneventful deployment!

http://discussions.latimes.com/20/lanews/la-fg-us-women-combat-20130219/10

 

[Veneficus]

There is just something about being told you cannot do something that makes you really good at it.

 

[RocketMedic]

The first time we went on an FTX with her, we put her and our female PSG in the Stryker while the males slept in the aid station tent. We were using the Stryker to power the tent and one of the commo trailers because we didn't have enough generators, so my buddy and I rigged up a Byzantine setup of relays and cables into the 220-volt connections. We didn't have enough fuel to run the truck through the night, so we just ran it to keep the batteries charged. Darby and SFC Smith were getting woken up about once every two hours by the low-power alarm, for a week straight, but she kept her happy face on.

Plus she can bake like a champion. Some twit in our HHC criticized her for making bread and inferred that she should stay in the kitchen. Personally, having a medic who is also a recreational baker and is easy on the eyes is like hitting a Grand Slam when you're two behind in the World Series. No intelligent infantryman ever turns down delicious baked goods.

 

[ExpatMedic0]

Goodluck, she will need it around those filthy grunts. Anyone who has spent time in a line unit knows it can be dysfunctional never ending all male frat party and can also get pretty damn nasty ;-)
I will say though in 2002 we had a female SSG assigned and embedded within our infantry platoon as a arabic translator. Pale skin and red hair... she made it so there is hope

In all seriousness though congrats to her and goodluck. I will say though it does concern me a little, especially when we are out in the field for long periods of time.

 

[ExpatMedic0]

I am glad to see the Army progressing though. Would you believe me if I told you in 2001 at Ft.Benning there where no women allowed on sandhill (unless assigned to supportive work duty) That infantry soldiers going through OSUT and or AIT where trained by some units not to salute or recognize female officers. In addition to this where also constantly told how the male gender/soldier is superior and how "they" would never have what it takes to earn "a blue cord"