Signal Soldiers Have Unique Opportunity

Photo By Sgt. Zach Zuber | Spc. Martha Montes, 2nd Platoon, 334th Signal Company, 296th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, loads an ammunition holder in preparation for a mission. She runs the remote weapon system for in her Stryker, a position she has held since being deployed.  

DIYALA PROVINCE, IRAQ

03.08.2010

Story by Pvt. Zach Zuber 

1-2 SBCT, 7th Infantry Division

DIYALA, Iraq — Soldiers in the 334th Signal Company, 296th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, have a fairly typical daily routine. Usually it involves missions, workouts, and in downtime, video games or other activities with their comrades.

No matter what each day brings, two female drivers and one .50 caliber gunner, 2nd Platoon, 334th Sig. Company, have different daily activities than most female Soldiers.

"There aren't many female drivers in the Army, but it's just a job and anyone can do it," said Spc. Diana Hildebrand, a driver for 2nd Platoon, and a signal support specialist.

"I don't segregate myself because I'm a female," said Spc. Martha Montes, 2nd Platoon, remote weapon system operator for her Stryker. "A Soldier is just a Soldier, and I try to do my job better than anyone else."

Both are a prime example of how Soldiers, undaunted by challenges, can accomplish any task given to them. They work hard every day to take care of everyone in their platoon.

"Being a driver can be rough on anyone; your only concern is everyone else in your truck," Hildebrand said. "They depend on me to get them where they are going safely."

They start their days early, ensuring everything on a vehicle works properly to ensure the platoon can complete their mission.

"We do maintenance before every mission, checking radio equipment to make sure it is operational, and I check to make sure the weapons system is working," Montes said.

They don't just work on the vehicles; they also use time off to improve on a personal level. Specialist Montes is currently completing correspondence courses and studying for her board to become a non-commissioned officer.

"I try to always be the best at what I do," Montes said. "When I meet someone better than me, I try to learn as much from them as possible."

• Date Taken: 03.08.2010
• Date Posted: 03.08.2010 04:11
• Story ID: 46302
• Location: DIYALA PROVINCE, IQ