WWW.USVETERANSMAGAZINE.COM U.S. V T RANS MAGAZ N 51
MCRD San Diego Celebrates First Female Boot Camp Graduates
In May 2021, dozens of women graduated from boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit %!).$3%*!4!%!!!!!!.!$!5!!!! part of the Marine Corps' efforts to expand training opportunities for female Marines. -!$!!3!5!#!!!!!!!! In 2019, Congress ordered the Marine Corps to make both boot camps, Parris Island, S.C., and San Diego co-ed. In the past, women could only train and become enlisted Marines at Parris Island, training apart from the men in their battalion. With the passage of the 2019 law, Parris Island was required to integrate women into training alongside men within !!!4!%!!!!!4!%!!!!!! sooner than required. Fifty-three women completed the grueling Crucible, a three-day training exercise, and earned the name Marine while also making history. According to military.com, "The !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !1!!$!'!5!!!!!"!!!! scores were higher than the average female platoon at Parris Island."
Source: military.com
Alabama Air National Guard Named First Female General
Brigadier General Tara D. McKennie, the Assistant Adjutant General-Air and Air Component Commander, Joint Force Headquarters, Montgomery, Ala., commands all units of the Alabama Air National Guard, and serves as the key advisor to the Adjutant General of Alabama on all matters relating to the !!4!!!!#!! !!!!!!! Alabama National Guard. McKennie enlisted in the Air Force in 1989 as an airman basic, serving six years on active duty before commissioning as a second lieutenant through the Army's 0!$!4!! McKennie's entire professional career has been in health care operations focusing on optimization theory, implementation of management processes and developing and leading people. In addition to her military service, McKennie is currently Vice President of Culture and Leadership Development for a national physician practice, supporting and leading operations for 5,000+ employees.
Source: al.ng.mil
COURTESY OF ALABAMA NATIONAL GUARD SANDY HUFFAKER/GETTY IMAGES
Female Marines from Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, congratulate each other after \~\!"!j!t\!\!!=\!(!Jt!*!!K\!*{!(\"!1!!!!! MCRD San Diego's history, male and female platoons completed their 13-week training concurrently in a gender-integrated company.
Tara D. McKennie (then-Air Force Col.)
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