Photo By 1st Lt. Tyler Sisco | U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Latina Bassett, the Human Resource noncommissioned officer in...... read more read more
FORT CARSON, Col. — As Women's History Month unfolds, we honor the resilience and achievements of women in the military. Among them are Sergeant First Class Latina Bassett and Spc. Teagan Mason, Human Resource Specialists assigned to 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, whose experiences highlight the diverse paths of women in uniform.
Bassett, a third-generation Army Soldier, shares insights shaped by her upbringing. "I am a third generation Army; I grew up as a military brat, so I have lived everywhere." Bassett reflects, highlighting her diverse military background.
Mason's journey offers a unique perspective on resilience. "I dealt with a lot of death and violence growing up at the time I had nothing going for me," Mason shares, underscoring the obstacles she overcame to join the military.
While Mason emphasizes the importance her mother had towards her development as a woman, Bassett draws inspiration from mentors she's had within her life. "Sergeant First Class retired fingers, She was like my army mom and to this day she was the best Non-Commissioned Officer I've ever crossed in my 17 years of service,” said Bassett. “But I've had a lot of positive women throughout my career. "
Both Bassett and Mason confront challenges within the military, including biases. "There's still discrimination and I still see it at my level… accusations of women promoting fast because they flirt with higher ups, or being seen not as important or as productive because they are pregnant or have a medical profile and that’s not true," Bassett said, calling for fairness within the ranks.
Mason echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the frustration of being overlooked while applying for the green to gold Program, a program designed to offer Active Army Enlisted Soldiers in the Army the opportunity to earn a commission as Army Officers. "I wanted to do the green to gold program,” said Mason. “But while I was filling out the packet, I had multiple people, specifically men, say I wasn't fit for the role. Not because of my work ethic or leadership skills, but because of my physical attributes.”
Despite challenges, both women remain committed to service. “I don't compare myself to anyone because we were all made differently,” said Bassett. “The only person I compete against is myself every day, whether it's being a mom, a senior NCO, or a woman of God.”
Mason closes off by offering advice to those who may look down on women. “Regardless of the walks of life that women come through and despite the stereotypes or the misconceptions of what we face, at the end of the day we are all unique despite how we look. We all have a wide variety of strengths.”
As we celebrate Women's History Month, it prompts reflection on the progress and challenges faced by women. From suffragettes fighting for voting rights to pioneers breaking barriers in male-dominated fields, Women's History Month highlights the contributions of women throughout history. It also serves as a way to highlight women like Bassett and Mason, representing the current day dedication of women in uniform.
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| Date Taken: | 03.21.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 03.21.2024 15:15 |
| Story ID: | 466748 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, CO, US |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Women's History Month: Pushing Past Discrimination, by SPC Joshua Zayas-Sabogal, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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