JBLM Field Artillery battalion hosts female cadet for ‘Cadet Troop Leader Training’

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, UNITED STATES

09.22.2014

Story by Capt. Tania Donovan 

17th Field Artillery Brigade

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Every summer cadets from across the country make an appearance at Army bases around the world. They are second and third- year cadets who strive to learn as much as they can from the active duty environment in three short weeks. Tatiana Western from Olympia, Washington, was surprised but excited when she received orders to report to Joint Base Lewis McChord for her Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT), this summer.

The surprise came because she has had a very busy summer with tactical training opportunities and was not expecting to have the CTLT opportunity this year. She was excited because when she reported to JBLM and realized she had not been pinpointed to a unit yet, she knew it was her opportunity to request the branch she truly wanted to experience, with a field artillery battalion. Not holding back her desires, she promptly announced to the assignment officer that she wanted to be assigned to a field artillery unit on Joint Base Lewis McChord.

It wasn’t until a directive, dated March 4, that approximately 1,900 area-of-concentration 13A Field Artillery officer positions in the active component, and 1,700 in the Guard and Reserve opened to women. This change now applies to cannon battalions down to the platoon level and has given cadets like Tatiana an opportunity that has not been available in the past.

“I like the tactical, combat arm jobs. I enjoy firing weapons and the mental and physical challenges that Field Artillery has to offer,” Western said. Furthermore, “the variety of jobs within the branch is extensive, from fire direction officer (FDO), executive officer (XO), platoon leader, to staff, those are the reasons why Field Artillery became the number one thing I want to do.”

Western was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Field Artillery Brigade. The 5-3 FAR is a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) battalion that prepared to deploy this summer. This has been another experience for Western to observe and learn from. “Being here at such a busy time has made me feel like a kid in a candy store; there is so much to learn and it all has been interesting and first hand mentorship,” said Western. “I have observed the different positions that the current lieutenants hold and that has allowed me to see the different type of jobs, from the administrative requirements to a MK19 range and a simulation site.”

There will be plenty of change within the Army in the coming years regarding the integration of women into the recently available combat arm branches. Western, however, is optimistic about the change and sees this change as an opportunity for the Army as a whole. “Women are here to stay,” said Western, “allowing strong minded women to become leaders in tomorrow’s Army is critical. Seeing that the Army is changing, I tell myself that I can bring positive change. Women need to be competent, good, confident leaders; we need to push ourselves and remember that we are Soldiers first.”

With this kind of insight and level of dedication, women cadets like Western are prepared to make a positive difference in our nations Army. For her, this difference began this summer, with the time she spent successfully completing her cadet troop leader training with 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade, 17th Field Artillery Brigade.

• Date Taken: 09.22.2014
• Date Posted: 09.22.2014 14:00
• Story ID: 142891
• Location: JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US