Courtesy Photo | (From left to right) Staff Sgt. LaCerishia Johnson, platoon sergeant for 1st platoon...... read more read more
By: Spc. Christiana Bankole
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq — Throughout history, women in the Army have accomplished significant achievements that have allowed the world to take notice and realize how far the Army has come by allowing women to hold important leadership positions.
Female soldiers in leadership positions within the 15th Transportation Company, 749th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), contribute to these achievements daily.
Women in transportation companies are in the minority, and the Roadwarrior family is no exception.
Capt. Stacey N. Jelks, the company commander, and a Bloomingdale, Ill., native, has commanded the Roadwarriors since last year. Jelks, who said that her work as company commander is challenging, also expressed that the role would be demanding for either gender.
“It is a big challenge, regardless of gender,” she said. “When I was a second lieutenant, I was the only female officer in a forward support company attached to an infantry battalion, so now I enjoy my position as a commander and the challenges that go along with it.”
Cpl. Jermeika Rivera, the company’s supply noncommissioned officer and a Tallahassee, Fla., native, has held her position since September 2010. She said being a woman in a demanding position has allowed her to become a better leader for her soldiers.
“I would advise any female soldier in a leadership role to not be intimidated,” explained Rivera.
Staff Sgt. LaCerishia Johnson, platoon sergeant for first platoon, and a New Orleans native, has been a platoon sergeant for the last two months. Johnson, whose ultimate goal in the Army is to become a warrant officer, said acknowledging women and their accomplishments is very important.
“There was a time when the role of women in the military was restricted to being nurses,” said Johnson. “Now we have come so far to where women are in charge of masses of soldiers.”
Staff Sgt. Antonia Silva-Warren, a truck master with the 15th Transportation Company, and a Chicago native, assisted in the operations for the Roadwarrior Family for three months.
“I encourage women to use this challenge of future leadership,” said Silva-Warren. “If they turn that into a positive, it will push them to become great leaders.”
| Date Taken: | 02.28.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.20.2011 04:29 |
| Story ID: | 67384 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 185 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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