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    Oklahoma Army National Guard builds female force within combat arms

    Oklahoma Army National Guard builds female force within combat arms

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Christopher Bruce | 2nd Lt. Jamie Ellis, of Pawnee, Oklahoma, completes Field Artillery Basic Officer...... read more read more

    FORT SILL, OK, UNITED STATES

    10.25.2016

    Story by 1st Lt. Leanna Maschino 

    Oklahoma National Guard

    FORT SILL, Okla. - The Oklahoma Army National Guard (OKARNG) continues to build its female force within combat arms.

    In the video you see 2nd Lt. Jamie Ellis of Pawnee, Oklahoma, receiving her certificate of completion from Field Artillery’s Basic Officer Leadership Course, Tuesday Oct. 25 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. This makes her the second qualified field artillery female officer within the OKARNG.

    “I appreciate them opening the door for me to give it a try,” Ellis said. “I think if a female wants to do it then yes, definitely give it a shot.”

    For Ellis, when the order came down that females could now join their male counterparts within combat arms, she didn’t think twice.

    “I was drawn to it. I was excited about it,” Ellis said. “Everybody who comes to talk to you about that branch was excited about it and it’s like a big family; everybody takes care of each other.”

    Ellis’ completion of field artillery school comes just after Oklahoma Guardsman 1st Lt. Kayla Christopher’s, who was the first qualified female officer within the branch.

    From here, Ellis will join Christopher as a Fire Direction Officer in the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery.

    “It makes me proud that the 160th and the state of Oklahoma is leading the way in this endeavor to get the Leader-First program on the board in Oklahoma so that females can join the field artillery as well as other combat arms units,” Lt. Col. Paul Harris said, commander of 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery. “It’s an exciting time and it’s a new future for the Army; it’s a great thing.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 10.25.2016
    Date Posted: 10.26.2016 16:55
    Story ID: 213015
    Location: FORT SILL, OK, US
    Hometown: EDMOND, OK, US
    Hometown: PAWNEE, OK, US

    Web Views: 134
    Downloads: 0

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