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    Soldier fulfills lifelong dream motivated by 9/11 and fueled by equality

    Soldier fulfills lifelong dream inspired by 9/11 and fueled by equality

    Photo By Master Sgt. Thomas Duval | Spc. Jessica Weiss, Explosives, Ordnance, Disposal team member is currently deployed...... read more read more

    CAMP BONDSTEEL, KOSOVO

    08.19.2016

    Story by Staff Sgt. Thomas Duval  

    KFOR Regional Command East

    CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo— Growing up in the Illinois’ Village of Pocahontas-where the population fluctuates in the low 700s- Jessica Weiss’ mom, Beth, always told her she could grow up to be whatever she wanted.

    Like many children, Jessica’s aspirations changed almost as often as her outfits.

    “I remember wanting to be a nurse, a doctor, a medic, a firefighter, a Soldier,” Jessica reminisced.

    Only seven-years old, Jessica appeared to have time between recess and snack time to figure out which of her many dreams she wanted to chase. Unfortunately, what the elementary student didn’t know was that the course of her life would soon be made clear.

    “I was in Sorento Elementary School, second grade,” said Jessica. “I remember when it first came on the news and all the teachers found out. They weren’t too sure what to do first, so they sent us all outside to recess. They brought everybody back inside and explained what was happening, and put the news on the TV in front of the room… We all sat in the classroom and watched as things continued to unfold on that terrible day.”

    Sitting behind a worn out desk with doodles from previous students, the playful nature of elementary school quickly turned to fear for Jessica and her classmates.

    “I remember it being a very somber time,” Jessica recalled. “Even though we were in the middle of Illinois, nowhere near New York, many kids were scared.”

    While many of the children sat confused as the Twin Towers fell on 9/11, Jessica- the younger of two children- found the answer to a question not yet asked.

    “It was at that point that the military became something I wanted to do,” said Jessica. “Everything I ever wanted to do involved helping people and on 9/11 it became apparent that I wanted to be a Soldier.”

    Motivated to take action, Jessica was too young to enlist and instead, she had to wait at least 11 years to put on the uniform. With a long wait ahead of her, Jessica turned to an unlikely source to help her stay on track and focused on her goal of becoming a Soldier.

    “One of the things that I remember the most is a book that we got in the library after 9/11. It had pictures and stories of some of the people lost,” she said. “I used to read the book over and over, thinking about all of the innocent lives taken that day and the families forever changed by that day.”

    Troubled by the images in the book, Jessica used the pictures as motivation to get her through the years that separated her from raising her right hand, and at the age of 16, she couldn't hold back her desire to become part of something bigger.

    “I first tried to enlist when I was a junior in high school,” she added. “I went and talked to a lot of different recruiters but because I was only 16, nobody really took me seriously.”

    Jessica didn’t let that her deter her from chasing her dreams but instead just looked at it as another speed bump between her and what she believed to be her duty to serve.

    As she left the recruiters office, Jessica returned to her normal teenage life; going to soccer, playing volleyball and spending time with friends. All along, understanding that she just had to wait until the time was right.

    For Jessica that time came in 2012.

    “I was 18 years old, living on my own, attending college, working three jobs and completely overwhelmed,” she said. “I drove to the Army recruiting office and walked out that day with a slot.”

    Happy to spread the news Jessica first called her mom, who didn’t share the same enthusiasm.

    “I was at work when she called me and told me. I was in denial, I did not want my daughter to join the Army,” Beth said. “She was excited… me, not so much. I figured she would change her mind.”

    In her heart, Beth hoped her only daughter would change her mind but she knew deep down she was driven to make a difference and wouldn’t stand in her way.

    “I knew Jessica was determined and when she set her mind to something she was going to go above and beyond to accomplish it,” she said. “She was ready to do something with her life bigger than what she thought she could accomplish in Illinois. I was happy for her but at the same time I was selfishly sad for myself. I would no longer be able to see my daughter any time I wanted to.”

    Struggling to accept the reality of her daughter’s decision, Beth found solace in knowing Jessica was happy. It wasn’t until the 18 year old shared her job description with her mom that the stress and worry returned.

    “I knew that she wanted to join the Army, which is worry enough so I was mentally prepared for that,” she added. “The real shocker was that she was going EOD, I didn’t even know what EOD stood for at first. Once I found out I was a nervous wreck.”

    Her worries were valid concerns as EOD, or Explosive Ordnance Disposal, technicians are Soldiers specialized and equipped to defeat and exploit unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices.

    “Everyone thought I was crazy. Some tried to talk me out of it,” Jessica said.

    From high school volleyball to being on the frontlines of a war that redefined the use of IEDs to attack U.S. Soldiers, Jessica, found herself right where she wanted to be since she watched the terror unfold on the television screen.

    Finally, reaching her goals of serving in the military, the challenges weren’t over for the Army’s new junior Soldier.

    Although it was easy to sign her name and raise her hand and swear the oath, she still faced one of the hardest military occupational specialties (MOS) to achieve. To add to the difficulties, Jessica was entering a male-dominant career field that had seen marginal progress in adapting women’s equality since 1973-when the military became an all-volunteer force.

    “I didn’t know at first that EOD was a male dominant MOS but when I got to the school house it hit me,” Spc. Weiss admitted. “I was a little intimidated at first just because I knew that a lot of people expected me to fail and I didn’t want to give them that satisfaction.”

    “I would tell myself, if there was any one thing that anybody could do better than me, I would make sure I could do 10 things better than them,” she added. “I was definitely underestimated at first, which gave me extra motivation.”

    Weiss used the fear of failure and her memories of the families who were affected during 9/11 to inspire her throughout the intense 34-week course.

    It wasn’t until she successfully completed the course that she realized the gender divide was only in her head and everyone was seen as a Soldier.

    “In reality, I don’t think that anyone expected me to prove myself more because I am a woman. In my head, I’m constantly trying to do better and be better than my peers, it just so happens that my peers are all males,” said Weiss. “After anybody makes it through EOD School they have proven themselves and they are accepted into the family just as any other EOD tech.”

    Although she achieved her dream of becoming a Soldier and an EOD tech, Weiss continued to challenge herself to make a difference. Her hard work and dedication has quickly caught the eye of her leadership.

    “Spc. Weiss has been an outstanding asset to both her team and the platoon as a whole. She carries that strong work ethic and dedication to the Army Values with her every day and is an excellent Soldier and Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialist,” said Staff Sgt. Shawn Thomas, noncommissioned officer in charge of the 763rd EOD Company. “She is living proof that with hard work, dedication, and perseverance anyone can overcome the obstacles before them and accomplish their goals.”

    Currently on her first deployment to support peace operations in Kosovo while serving with the Multinational Battle Group-East, Weiss is hopeful she can continue to impress Thomas and her peers while serving as a positive example for the next generation of female Soldiers.

    For those aspiring to do something bigger than themselves, Weiss offered some words of caution and encouragement.

    “Male or female, if you’ve got what it takes then you will get the job,” said Weiss. “If you’re really good at your job you will earn the respect and recognition that goes along with it. But it won’t be easy.”

    Thomas echoed her sentiment, referencing his 8-year career as an EOD technician.

    “Throughout my career in EOD I have had the honor of working with some outstanding professionals, both male and female, officer and enlisted,” he said. “My experiences have taught me that, when it comes to the accomplishment of the mission, there are no differences in the capabilities of men and women.”

    “Not everyone will respect you or your decision to serve as a female,” Jessica added. “Know that you have a giant support system spread all across the world, you’re never alone.”

    As she looks back on her decision to join the Army, Weiss said she wouldn’t change her decision for the world.

    “The Army has pushed me past my physical and mental capabilities and made me a much stronger individual,” she said. “The Army has granted me so many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, opened so many doors to my future and introduced me to lifelong friends. All of the struggles were well worth it.”

    Four years removed from the original phone call, Beth Weiss has a better grip on her daughter’s decision as well.

    “I am very proud of her and her accomplishments, she never ceases to amaze me,” Beth said. “She is the bravest girl I know and I am lucky to have her as my daughter.”

    As Spc. Weiss faces an uncertain future on whether to reenlist or get out of the Army, she said the one thing that is certain is the fact that she fulfilled the dream she set for herself, proving that anyone can truly be whatever they want to be when they grow up.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 08.19.2016
    Date Posted: 08.19.2016 09:21
    Story ID: 207676
    Location: CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ
    Hometown: FORT LEONARD WOOD, MO, US
    Hometown: POCAHONTAS, IL, US

    Web Views: 1,473
    Downloads: 0

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