Photo By Capt. James Kim | U.S. Army Reserve Spc.Jillian Torres, human resources noncommissioned officer with the...... read more read more
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MARYSVILLE, Wash. – U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Jillian Torres, human resources noncommissioned officer with the 364th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), continues her family’s proud military legacy as the first female to serve.
Torres comes from an extensive line of Army veterans starting with both of her grandfathers; one was a tanker and a WWII and Korean War veteran, and the other an infantryman who retired as a first sergeant with the 65th Infantry Division Borinqueneers, a Puerto Rican regiment of the U.S. Army. Both retired after each serving 24 years of faithful and honorable service to our Nation. In addition, her brother served for five years as a combat medic and a Desert Storm vet, while her father, an infantryman and Vietnam vet, retired as a command sergeant major after 32 years of service.
For the fact that she, too, is able to serve, Torres took a moment to reflect on the significance of Women’s Equality Day and how far we’ve come as a society. It is more than just a day to celebrate a success story, but a chance to also remember the women pioneers who fought the good fight for future generations. Women's Equality Day, established in 1971, is celebrated August 26 each year and commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave U.S. women the right to vote in 1920.
Born in Fort Benning, Georgia, Torres was raised as an Army brat traveling alongside her parents and living in Germany, Italy, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
“Growing up as an Army brat was absolutely amazing,” she said, “I was able to see European culture and my parents ensured that I know pieces of world history.”
When asked how it felt to be the first female to serve in her family, she said, “I never thought about it when I first joined. Growing up, I’ve always been comfortable in this environment. After my brother got out none of my other siblings joined so I decided to carry on the tradition, but I see changes now like women in infantry and I think it's fantastic. Back when my dad was in, that would have been frowned upon.”
Since joining the Army Reserve, Torres believes the Army has come a long way with meaningful rules to create an environment where she’s always felt part of the team.
In 2016, the U.S. Army announced details of its plan to integrate women into all military occupational specialties, which paved the way for qualified female Soldiers to serve in the Infantry, Armor and Special Forces. The change in policy afforded Army senior leaders and commanders the opportunity to leverage a greater talent pool for achieving success in the conduct of all military operations.
“My experience has been rather smooth, I’ve been treated like an equal. Everyone that I’ve worked with seems to be fair and just,” Torres said, “I do like that things are changing for the better. Training and readiness seems geared more about the care and welfare of soldiers.”
Regarding role models during her career, “As long as I have been in, I never really had anyone to look up to until I came to the 364th ESC. I met a captain who was strong-willed, a leader, a go-getter, and she inspired me to be the best no matter what the situation was," she said.
Torres’ future goals includes obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition from Arizona State University, and becoming a commissioned officer or a command sergeant major in the U.S. Army like her father.
| Date Taken: | 08.16.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 08.27.2018 01:49 |
| Story ID: | 289065 |
| Location: | MARYSVILLE, WASHINGTON, US |
| Hometown: | PHOENIX, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 812 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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