Photo By Lt. Col. John Hall | The sergeant major of the Serbian paratroopers looks over the shoulder of 173rd...... read more read more
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History was made on 16 November 2017 when about 100 American Paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade jumped with the Serbian Army near Belgrade, Serbia. This is the first exercise in a step to strengthen a relationship with the Serbian military and to contribute to regional security and peace.
Among those who exchanged foreign jump wings was the first and only female to have jumped with Serbians, 21 year old Spc. Cheyenne Shouse of Deland, Florida.
Shouse was doing photo coverage for the jump on Batajnica Airfield when a Serbian soldier challenged her and her ability to jump. The comment was overheard by the CSM Wahlenmeier, Sergeant Major of the 2/503rd Infantry, who promptly made arrangements for Shouse to be on the jump in order to prove just how capable and effective all of our Sky Soldiers are.
Shouse has been serving in the army for close to three years. She started her military career at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where she attended Basic Training. After finishing, she moved on to AIT at Fort Lee, Virginia, where she was trained to be an Ammunition Specialist. She was a natural leader and was appointed to a leadership position quickly ahead of her peers.
She originally was supposed to receive orders to report to her first duty station upon completion of AIT; however, through hard work, proving herself to be dedicated, and her eagerness to learn, she was able to volunteer to attend Airborne school. Shouse was a better candidate than most, scoring very high on her PT tests in both Basic Training and Airborne school.
After completing airborne school, Shouse received orders while standing in formation. Her name was called and she was told, “Pack up your bags! You’re headed to Italy!” Then, before she know it, she was on a flight almost halfway around the world.
Shouse had planned to get married to her highschool sweetheart during leave before heading to Italy, however, the requested leave dates didn’t get approved and the wedding was delayed until 31 December 2016. She and her husband knew the distance would be a challenge, but find ways to still bond daily through FaceTime and video games.
She was assigned to Brigade Support Battalion upon arrival to the 173rd, where she worked as an Ammunition Specialist until April of 2017 after coming back from Air Assault School. In April when Payday Activities were held, Shouse’s room was inspected by her Sergeant Major, who took notice of her passion for photography. Shortly after, at her First Sergeant’s change of responsibility ceremony, she was called out in front of the formation and was told she’d no longer be standing in formation. Instead, she’d be taking pictures of it.
From April until her recent change of duty station, Shouse has worked in the 173rd Airborne Brigade Public Affairs Office, primarily as a photographer. Since working in public affairs, she states that her perspective of the Army has changed; from wanting to finish her contract with the Army and get out, to now wanting to see where her career with the Army goes.
While in Italy, Shouse has had the opportunity to travel to about ten different countries. Not bad for someone who had previously only left the state of Florida a number of times small enough to count on a single hand. She speaks highly of her experiences while being stationed overseas. These experiences include Operation Market Garden, a memorial jump held yearly in the Netherlands remembrance of one of the largest Allied operations in World War II. She said she truly enjoyed her experiences in PAO; the travel to multiple countries, and being apart of the 173rd, where she was always challenged to be a better soldier .
Shouse leaves us with an inspirational quote; a bit of advice she gave another soldier on his first jump with the unit, “Everyone experiences fear. The only difference between the brave and the weak is what you do with that fear can either run from it, or face it head on. That‘s what makes you a warrior.”
Shouse is headed back to the United States after her time in Italy. She has recently been assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where she will continue in her original position as an Ammunition Specialist. She says she looks forward to the new experience and the opportunity to work in the Special Forces community further serving her country.
Shouse leaves the 173rd Airborne Brigade feeling like she is a better, more prepared soldier. She feels she is capable of rising to, and overcoming any challenge she may face in the military in the future. One of her life goals was to leave a mark on history; now that she feels she has reached that milestone, it’s on to new challenges.
| Date Taken: | 01.25.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 01.25.2018 06:45 |
| Story ID: | 263183 |
| Location: | VICENZA, IT |
| Hometown: | DELAND, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 866 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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