Mississippi Soldier gets dirty turning wrenches

Photo By Staff Sgt. Carmen Yepez | Spc. Carin Hanson, native of St. Michael, Minn., works on a vehicle, Nov. 11. Hanson is a generator mechanic, but also dabbles in other things at the motor pool where both she and her husband work. She is a member of the 890th Forward Support Company, 890th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.14.2008

Story by Sgt. Carmen Yepez 

926th Engineer Brigade

By Sgt. Carmen Guerrero
926th Engineer Brigade

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Women have been integrated in the military for 30 years. Former President Jimmy Carter disbanded the Women's Army Corps in 1978 and recognized females as a part of the armed forces.

Now 30 years later, females serve alongside their male counterparts as Soldiers in the armed forces. Spc. Carin Hanson, a native of St. Michael, Minn., has served in the Army National Guard for nearly four years and proves that women in the military cannot only get the job done, but aren't afraid to do an unusual job. Not only does she serve in Iraq as a mechanic, but has the luxury of working in the same area as her husband, Sgt. Daniel Hanson, native of Otesgo, Minn.

Hanson, a generator mechanic, joined the Minnesota National Guard four years ago and was assigned to the 134th Brigade Support Battalion in St. Cloud, Minn. Her brother was in the military, so she quickly followed in his footsteps. She and her husband moved to Mississippi and transferred into the 890th Engineer Battalion, a Mississippi Army National Guard unit located in Gulfport, Miss., in 2007. Carin and Daniel lived in Gulfport a little over a year before deploying with their battalion to Camp Liberty, Iraq.

Daniel is a track vehicle mechanic so naturally, the Hanson's both work in the motor pool where they work on vehicles and equipment all day long.

Out of the 25 females in her battalion, Hanson is the only female mechanic, a job which she does with pride. Even though she works with approximately 10 to 12 males, she isn't treated any differently. Hanson is quick to be the first one to get underneath the hood of a vehicle without being asked to.

"Carin works on the Maxx Pro and Humvee," said Sgt. 1st Class Billy Inmon, Hanson's section leader and motor sergeant of the 890th Forward Support Company and native of Sumrall, Miss. "She preps engines, transmissions and wiring. She can outwork most of the men in the section and they all work well together. Carin is one of the first people that I go to when I need something done."

Hanson explains the work she accomplishes.

"I work on vehicles and do services on vehicles for the battalion if they break down," said Hanson. "Right now I don't do a lot of generator work because Kellogg, Brown, and Root does most of it. The guys in the motor pool have been very supportive of my role in this section. Unless I ask someone for help, no one really bothers me. You can't be afraid to get dirty. Anyone can do it-it's not difficult work; you just need the right mindset."

Hanson was recently coined by Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Zebrauskas, native of Chicago Ill., senior enlisted advisor of the 926th Engineer Brigade for good conduct and a job well done on and engine she changed on a HEMMT.

Hanson keeps a level head throughout her current deployment.

"I've learned to have patience by dealing with different personalities on a daily basis," said Hanson. "You've got to know how to work with all types of people. I am lucky to have my husband here even though we don't really see each other at work and that can be difficult at times, but it's nice to have him around if I need him. Just knowing that he is here helps keep my mind at ease."

On her down time, Hanson likes to relax by watching television, movies or shopping at the PX. Due to her taking an interest in cutting her husband's hair, a lot of the male Soldiers in her company have requested her to cut their hair as well. It's a task that she happily accepts.

Once their tour ends, the Hanson's plan on returning to Gulfport, Miss., and while Hanson goes to nursing school, Daniel plans on working with the Operation Warrior Trainer program and furthering his military career. Once Hanson finishes school plans for a baby could be in the works.

"You know, I guess I've gotten used to being a female mechanic. It's not so bad and I've been treated as an equal. Aside from my husband being a mechanic, in the civilian world, once, I started dabbling in mechanical work on my free time back home, it just seemed natural," declared Hanson.

• Date Taken: 11.14.2008
• Date Posted: 11.14.2008 10:31
• Story ID: 26354
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ