Photo By 1st Lt. Tracci Dorgan | U.S. Army Spc. Haley Wiggins, 1-178th Field Artillery Battalion, was promoted to the...... read more read more
Subscribe
EASTOVER S.C. – The South Carolina National Guard 1-178th Field Artillery (FA) Battalion promotes the first female Soldier who enlisted as a private first class into a field artillery military occupational specialty to the rank of sergeant, Nov. 22, 2019.
U.S. Army Sgt. Haley Wiggins, 1-178th FA Battalion, Battery B Paladin gun crew member, enlisted in the South Carolina National Guard in February 2016. She has since been promoted to specialist and now sergeant, gaining more knowledge and expertise along the way.
“When I was recruited, being in the field artillery unit seemed like a very challenging and interesting position. I thought it would be interesting to learn about things I have never done," said Wiggins. “Each step of the way has been a mark of achievement...Achieving goals has always motivated me to reach farther.”
U.S. Army Capt. Charles Burgess, 1-178th FA Battalion, Battery B commander, said, “Sgt. Wiggins has proven herself as the most competent Soldier ready to achieve the rank of sergeant in our gun crew. Her knowledge and skills have proven her to be completely capable of the new position.”
Field Artillery was strictly a male-only branch in the U.S. Army until 2015 when females were able to join these ranks. Within the South Carolina Army National Guard, the only other two females to serve in Field Artillery are Sgt. Cynthia Dominguez, who reclassed to obtain her position in a Paladin gun crew and 1st Lt. Tracci Dorgan, who was the first female officer to accept her commission in Field Artillery.
“I really don’t place much importance on my gender toward my achieved position,” said Wiggins. “I have worked alongside some great Soldiers; I have gone to the needed schools, and I have earned the rank of sergeant.”
“I’ll always remember what my recruiter told me, and I can see that it applies to anyone who wants to be a field artillery Soldier,” said Wiggins. “Start lifting weights and don’t be afraid of challenges because the unit as a team will help you learn and grow.”
| Date Taken: | 11.22.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 11.26.2019 16:19 |
| Story ID: | 353518 |
| Location: | EASTOVER, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 660 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, South Carolina National Guard female Field Artillery Soldier progresses through ranks, promotes as non commissioned officer, by 1LT Tracci Dorgan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT