Photo By Spc. Brenda Salgado Morales | 1st Lt. Madeline Miller, a field artillery officer, on temporary duty assignment with...... read more read more
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Being named the team’s Most Valuable Player, a lacrosse All-American, Geico Scholar-Athlete, AP Scholar and the American Chemical Society Chemistry Achievement Award are just a few of Madeline Miller's recognitions, but they do not compare to the Bronze Star Medal she earned for her meritorious leadership while deployed.
“My greatest accomplishment was when I earned the Bronze Star, it’s just so humbling,” said Miller. “So many important and successful leaders in history have earned the same award, it’s just an honor.”
She was just a sophomore in high school when she was sought out by the United States Military Academy at West Point for her athleticism in lacrosse. At such a young age Miller was certain of her future. She would graduate high school and head straight to West Point to play lacrosse which also meant at least a five year commitment in the United States Army would follow.
“I really didn't know much about West Point or the military, but definitely wanted to do something different with my life, my career and I 100% wanted to play lacrosse in college.
She had committed herself and saw it through after 47 intense months at West Point. She graduated May of 2020 and began her journey as a commissioned officer. After arriving at her first choice of duty station at Fort Carson, Colorado in January 2021 she learned that she would soon deploy to Syria shortly thereafter. Although she was anxious about the mission, she accepted the challenge and what was to come.
“Being deployed gave me a greater appreciation for a lot of the things that I took for granted in the United States that didn't even realize I took for granted,” said Miller.
While deployed, Miller was the nighttime Battle Captain and Field Artillery Fire Direction Officer for a remote outstation. There were several significant attacks on the outstation by enemy indirect fire and each time 1LT Miller proved that she could successfully ensure accountability and safety of all assigned personnel while spearheading counter fire initiatives to determine the size and location of the enemy and calculate the correct number of munitions to employ to neutralize them. The outstation had zero casualties during her deployment, and Miller was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious leadership due to her competent and confident leadership under fire.
“I worked from midnight to 8 a.m. every single day for nine months straight,” said Miller. “I could not have asked for a better group to be with while deployed.”
After nine months she returned home to a more regular routine and heard about the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard, which was looking for a new Officer-in-Charge. As a young girl, Miller both rode horses and competed and she always had a passion for animals and wanted to grow up to be a veterinarian. She quickly realized there was a path within the military where both of her passions could be combined into one.
“Like there was no hesitation, no doubt at all in my mind that I wanted this job and it just seemed so perfect for me. It was a no-brainer for me,” said Miller. “I wanted to be a veterinarian growing up because I loved animals and spent so much time with horses.”
She has been leading the FCMCG for a short two months and already wishes there was more longevity in her position and all positions in the team. While participating in the 2022 U.S National Cavalry Association Competition alongside her unit it was extremely evident that she is a great motivator to her team and truly loves being around the animals. A self-proclaimed "hype woman," she lives by an acronym ACE: attitude, communication and effort.
“As a leader and as a person I can always control my positive attitude, my communication so that we are all on the same page, and the effort that I put into my work,” said Miller. “I can always control these three things.”
She considers herself a high achieving and ambitious woman, yet her experiences have humbled her. Even with just a short military career so far, Miller has gained knowledge that most of her peers do not have. Her efforts to assure everyone is taken care show that she is a true servant leader.
“Madeline Miller is a high achieving, ambitious, hardworking individual who certainly knows how to have fun and have a sense of humor,” said Miller. “She uses the energy of those around her to lighten up the room and make any situation into a positive experience.”
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| Date Taken: | 09.25.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.05.2022 21:38 |
| Story ID: | 430048 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, CO, US |
| Hometown: | PITTSFORD, NY, US |
| Hometown: | WESTCHESTER, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 139 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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