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Combat Arms are units made up of Soldiers who are trained to be on the front line, to close with and destroy the enemy, something many people don’t have the heart to perform.
For Pfc. Mikayla Hicks assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, it was never a question whether she had what it took to be a part of such an organization.
"People said females couldn’t do it so I wanted to prove them wrong," said Hicks.
Being from the city nicknamed, "The city that never sleeps," there was always something to do in the 19-year-old's hometown of New York City, but she wanted to forge a unique path by joining the Army and branch into the combat arms.
"I wanted to try something new that none of my family and friends had done," said Hicks. "Joining the Army was a chance to explore, meet new people and better myself"
Inspired by her favorite musician, Grammy award-winner, Nicki Minaj, Hicks wants to be the best of her field while still paying homage to those who came before her.
"She (Nicki Minaj) gave the females that came before her recognition but she still wanted to be the best of the best,” said Hicks, "I also want to go further than my idols have, I want to say thank you for making a stepping stone but now I'm going to go further than you, and make a way for the next female to overstep me."
Hick’s dedication and determination have not gone unnoticed by her unit.
“I don’t see Hicks as female but as an asset to my squad and team,” said Army Sgt. Tomas Dejesusperez, Hick’s squad leader, “She takes charge of the group when there is uncertainty and is highly motivated to accomplish the mission. She is a professional, a great marksman, and continues to max out the APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test).”
“You can’t join combat arms and think it’s going to be peaches, rainbows, and daffodils,” said Hicks. “You have to push yourself beyond what people think of you. There are people who still think females can’t be in combat arms but let them know that females can do just as much as males can do”
“In heels”, said Hicks jokingly
| Date Taken: | 09.14.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 09.22.2018 05:42 |
| Story ID: | 292767 |
| Location: | BG |
| Hometown: | NEW YORK, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 82 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Solider In Focus: Pfc. Hicks Creating New Stepping Stones, by SGT Marcel Pugh, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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