Photo By Sgt. William Dickinson | OROGRANDE, New Mexico – Sgt. Devon Nurse, a petroleum supply specialist with A Co.,...... read more read more
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The Orogrande training area in New Mexico is a dusty landscape surrounded by mountains and can be an unwelcoming sight for many.
However, arriving at the fuel point on the training site, Soldiers will be received with a welcoming smile by Spc. Catherine Kennedy.
Kennedy is a petroleum supply specialist with A Co., 501st Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division who participated in Iron Focus 18.1 field training exercise March 19-29 at Orogrande.
Iron Focus is designed to prepare 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1AD, for National Training Center rotation 18-08, and it focused on maintaining combat readiness.
Kennedy’s unit was responsible for providing fuel for vehicles during Iron Focus 18.1, and the exercise lasted for 56 days.
Kennedy, 23, is a native of Houston, Texas. For some people, joining the Army and facing its challenges can seem impossible. For Kennedy, her story was different.
A few years before she joined the Army, Kennedy had a hard time deciding what she wanted to do after high school. She wanted to do something fun and different.
“I joined because I was a pharmacy technician and it got boring.” Kennedy said.
Living a regular life wasn’t always fun, Kennedy said. She wanted to improve as an individual and advance her education.
“I didn’t know what to do after that, but I know I wanted school paid for.” Kennedy said. “I thought the Army would give me insight as to what I wanted to go to school for.”
Eventually, she left her job as a civilian and made a bold decision to join the U.S. Army, where she found the excitement she always wanted.
After enlisting, Kennedy was surprised to find numerous Army programs and educational resources which provided the opportunity she needed for her education.
“The Army helped me with tuition assistance and helped lead me towards going to school for business administration,” Kennedy said. “After being in the military, finding a job will be easy when I get out. The Army has opened a lot of doors for me.”
Initially, her family was like most families who have had to cope with letting their children go.
“My family supported my decision to join the military.” Kennedy said. “My mom was like all moms: ‘it’s so sad you’re leaving.’ But she’s happy that I serve and supports me.”
She also found the Army interesting in different ways that were challenging and unique.
“I didn't think I would like all the tactical stuff.” Kennedy said. “I was kind of like a 'girly-girl', but I like going to the field. I enjoy doing my job.”
The Army made her learn to appreciate things in a way she never did in the past, Kennedy said. It also made her physically and mentally tougher than she has ever been.
Kennedy has boldly and successfully overcome the challenges of the Army, said Sgt. Devon Nurse, a petroleum supply specialist who is also Kennedy’s team leader with 501st BSB.
Nurse met Kennedy when she was a private. She moved up the ranks faster than most of her peers and won the Soldier of the month and quarter board, Nurse said.
“She’s a great soldier and she's always motivated,” Nurse said. “She is a soldier with a lot of potential.”
Kennedy’s accomplishments in her few years of service is something she is very proud of, Nurse said, and her success in the Army is inspiring.
Kennedy says that the support she received and her motivation to keep pushing forward paved the way for her success so far.
“If you’re thinking about joining, you might as well take the plunge, because it’s worth it,” said Kennedy.
| Date Taken: | 03.26.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.03.2018 19:29 |
| Story ID: | 271673 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | HOUSTON, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 433 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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