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KABUL, Afghanistan - A paratrooper’s life can be difficult and tiring work, regardless of gender. Yet in spite of such challenges, the U.S. Army now counts several women in the airborne ranks. U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Jennifer Lane takes the challenges in stride, however, and a recent meeting downrange revealed that barriers to becoming a female paratrooper are falling around the world.
“Females should never let their gender hold them back from accomplishing their goals,” said Lane, a native of Ruby, N.Y., serving as the first sergeant of a signal company that provides tactical communications for the Fort Bragg-based XVIII Airborne Corps and its staff.
Lane visited with Afghan Air Force Brig. Gen. Khatool Mohammadzai, a paratrooper in her own right, during a gender conference held at the Kabul International Airport on April 23. Mohammadzai is not only the first female paratrooper in the Afghan armed forces, with more than 500 jumps, but is also the first Afghan woman to become a general.
The two women had a chance to learn more about their respective cultures and armed forces, and through an interpreter, it became apparent that despite growing up thousands of miles and continents away from each other there were many similarities. Each became a paratrooper because the prospect of jumping from planes was an exciting one, and each drew from personal experiences to conquer challenges and reach new career heights.
In the case of Mohammadzai, it wasn’t a pleasant path she followed but one that increased her determination nevertheless. Confined to her home in Afghanistan by a Taliban regime that resented professional women in the workplace and society, she also experienced the heartache of burying a husband during the Soviet War mere weeks after their child was born. Despite the long and often hard journey, she never gave up hope for her country or family.
“There have been huge changes over the last 13 years. We started from zero,” said Mohammadzai, currently serving as Director of Women’s Affairs in the Afghan military.
Lane was pleasantly surprised her counterpart had been able to achieve so much, considering the often-stacked deck Mohammadzai had been dealt previously.
“An Afghan female paratrooper would send a strong message to other females that there are possibilities to advance even when facing gender discrimination,” said Lane, hoping that other women in Afghanistan might follow the footsteps of a trailblazer like Mohammadzai.
The gender conference in Kabul emphasized many of the same themes of legal empowerment and personal freedoms that Mohammadzai has long championed in her own life.
“It’s important for Afghan women to understand their rights, and who they can approach should their rights not be respected,” she said.
Important changes cited by the general included the establishment of the Afghan National Security Forces, democratic parliament and ministries, girls going to school across the nation, and untold new development and infrastructure.
“Because of all these changes, there are now many female officers and NCOs in the ANA (Afghan National Army),” Mohammadzai said.
Though the journeys of each woman had its unexpected pitfalls, being paratroopers, and female ones at that, was the unifying thread that provided both exhilaration and comfort for both. Mohammadzai proudly mentions her “love and affection for the sport” while Lane readily talks about becoming part of the special group of American paratroopers who wear the maroon beret.
And despite the likelihood that Lane and Mohammadzai will never cross paths again, their stories don’t just represent separate tales of women across the globe serving their countries. More importantly, they show that youngsters around the world, especially girls, can reach their potential in unusual fashion when serving in the armed forces.
Lane couldn’t agree more.
“I would tell them to follow their dreams if they want to be a Soldier and paratrooper,” she said.
| Date Taken: | 05.05.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.05.2014 12:15 |
| Story ID: | 128749 |
| Location: | KABUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, AF |
| Hometown: | RUBY, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 257 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Afghan, US female paratroopers share bond across cultures, by MSG John Zumer, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
