Photo By Staff Sgt. Rachel M Korzeniewski | U.S. Army Spc. Erika Cotton, Alpha Battery, 1-147th Field Artillery Battalion, South...... read more read more
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CINCU, Romania – In 2013, South Dakota Army National Guard’s 1-147th Field Artillery Battalion welcomed the first females into their ranks.
Specialist Erika Cotton was South Dakota’s first qualified female field artillery crewmember to join the 1-147th. Cotton said when she joined the SDARNG, she didn’t realize she would be the first.
“At first I thought being the first female would put a lot of weight on my back, but I’ve just kept going to pave the way for more females,” said Cotton.
Cotton wasn’t the only female to join the 1-147th, Spc. Stephanie Kasten joined shortly after her.
“All I wanted to do was join the Guard,” said Kasten. “Being one of the first females in the field artillery never crossed my mind.”
Kasten is a truck commander of an ammo truck and Cotton is a driver of a M270A1 Multiple Launch Rocket System.
“The best part of my job is knowing my team is playing a huge part in the fight on the battlefield,” said Cotton. “Shooting rockets is pretty awesome.”
Today, the 1-147th has 47 females out of about 390 Soldiers.
“I have two females in my section, Cotton and Kasten, and they’re both extremely hard workers,” said Staff Sgt. Dan Noeldner, launcher crew chief, Alpha Battery, 1-147th FA. “Them being females has never stopped them from doing their jobs.”
Specialist Haili Wimer is a fire direction specialist in the 1-147th. She said she is capable of doing her job just like the other men in her section.
Cotton’s advice for other females joining the field artillery is to stay positive in any situation, embrace every moment and remember you are just as capable to do this job.
“You can do anything you put your mind to,” said Cotton. “If you come across any obstacles, remember you are never alone.”
| Date Taken: | 07.28.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 11.04.2017 16:14 |
| Story ID: | 254125 |
| Location: | CINCU, RO |
| Web Views: | 69 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, SD National Guard women take on combat roles in field artillery, by SSG Rachel M Korzeniewski, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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