Photo By Staff Sgt. Brandon Little | First Sgt. Sharita Onugha thanks family members and fellow Soldiers during here...... read more read more
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EL PASO, Texas - In order to change the perceptions of the majority, and to permanently fracture walls of stereotypes, there must be a few innovative people daring enough to step forward and disprove the masses.
The U.S. military, like other sections of society, holds strong to convention and takes time to change.
However, thanks to adversities overcome by pioneers like the Buffalo Soldiers and Tuskegee Airmen, African-Americans have now held every rank from private to four-star general. Likewise, thanks to the determination of courageous figures like Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley and Dr. Mary E. Walker to serve this nation, women now make up more than 14 percent of active-duty service members.
For many soldiers like 1st Sgt. Sharita Onugha, the strides for equality made by these trailblazers opened the door for her to not only become a senior noncommissioned officer but also a trendsetter for future generations of service members.
“I can really appreciate the path that was laid before us, females and African-Americans,” said Onugha. “If not for the past, the present would not be possible.”
In April 1996, Onugha took the Oath of Enlistment and headed for basic training to later become a radio communication operator/ maintainer.
Joining the army provided a much-needed change of scenery, but the first taste of leadership responsibilities – coupled with mentorship from a basic training platoon sergeant – were the driving forces behind the decision to make the army a permanent career choice.
Rising through the ranks as a junior soldier and young noncommissioned officer, Onugha, first sergeant for Company A “Might Warriors,” 86th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, said she didn’t really have female mentors.
“All of my role models were male noncommissioned officers and commissioned officers,” said the former drill sergeant. “I can honestly say I was on the opposite end of the spectrum as it relates to discrimination as a woman or African-American.”
This approach to leadership provided her with the building blocks to become a standout candidate for unique assignments.
“I accepted by-name nominations not customarily assigned to women,” said Onugha. “For instance, I was selected by a male battalion command sergeant major to serve as the Senior Drill Sergeant and set up operations for a newly activated training unit primarily occupied by male soldiers. Additionally, I was hand-picked by the commander for 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, to serve as a first sergeant in an infantry battalion that did not isolate its support company from the infantrymen.”
“Initially, I looked at it like a set up like in the ‘G.I. Jane’ movie, but she proved me wrong because her leaders as well as soldiers said she was [not one to mess] with in that infantry battalion,” said her husband, Warrant Officer 1 Obinna Onugha. “I admire and appreciate her desire to achieve whatever goal she wants regardless of what situation she finds herself with no excuses whatsoever.”
Onugha also took part in a rare, dual-female Change of Responsibility ceremony, held Jan. 29, between her and 1st Sgt. Yolanda Rich for Co. A, 86th Expeditionary Signal Bn., but for Onugha, this ceremony meant far more than that.
“I honestly have never assessed my feelings about the genders,” she said. “I was more focused on their leadership legacy they left behind. Knowing that, it is very important for me to ensure that all my efforts are geared towards paving a brighter future for all without reference to gender and race.”
“I was very proud of her during the [ceremony] because that position is where she excels the most, or more like her niche … willing to take on a new role which will not be easy initially,” said Obinna. “Training and taking care of soldiers is very dear to her heart because she believes in getting them ready to be leaders of tomorrow with the never-ending crisis we are facing worldwide.”
Last month, the Department of Defense lifted a military combat ban and female service members are now allowed to obtain a combat Military Occupational Specialty and to fight on the frontlines. Onugha, who has earned the Combat Action Badge, feels this decision is long overdue.
“Based on current combat operations, females no longer have the option to participate in the fight. Mission requirements have dictated their presence in almost every essence of war,” she said. “It is my opinion that women have proven themselves worthy of the opportunity to engage [in] combat operations on the full spectrum and should not be limited based on gender.”
Her husband says he truly considers Onugha a role model for her ability to seamlessly infuse the jobs of a soldier, a leader, a mother, and a wife.
“She truly knows how to balance her workload between taking care of our family and also taking care of her soldiers at any given time,” said Obinna. “I really appreciate the extra time she takes to ensure her family is satisfied and well taken care of before embarking on any other task/ mission.”
In the end, years after her retirement, Onugha says she hopes her legacy will reflect that of not just a woman and not just an African-American, but of a great noncommissioned officer who helped pave the way for tomorrow’s great leaders.
“I would like to leave an impact on the total fitness of the soldier through various programs: physical, mental, and spiritual,” she said. “A soldier that is in control of his or her total health is a more resilient and productive Soldier.”
| Date Taken: | 03.01.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 03.07.2013 11:18 |
| Story ID: | 103060 |
| Location: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 390 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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