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First female to qualify for Infantry assigned to Infantry battalion

Wyoming Army National Guard Sgt. Shelby Atkins hits the ground during the High Physical Demands Tasks (HPDT) test at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center May 14. The nine-event graded evaluation came early in the two-week training/qualification school and included wall climbing, evacuating a 268-pound casualty, lifting and moving various loads including sandbags and missiles, and a 12-mile road march. Upon graduation from the transitional course, Atkins became the U.S. Army's first female 11B NCO. (Wyoming Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jimmy McGuire)

Sgt. Shelby Atkins is the first.

Infantry units have existed since the birth of the Army in 1775 and National Guard in 1636.

Every soldier that has served in that job field has been a man. Until Atkins. Now, women serve in the infantry. And she is the first.

Atkins, a Wyoming Army National Guard soldier, recently completed an infantry transition course at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center. She was the first woman to be qualified as an infantry soldier in the United States military.

“The fact that it has never been open to females before, the opportunity came and I didn’t think it was one I could pass up,” Atkins said after her graduation. “I didn’t know what it will be like for females in combat or in the infantry, but what better way to find out than by doing it.”

With a recent addition of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry in the western part of the state, a need arose for soldiers to fill the slots. The opportunity for Atkins came when the Department of Defense mandated all combat positions in the U.S. military, such as infantry and tank crewmen positions, be made available to women across the county.

“It didn’t really start out as something I thought of doing,” she said. However, after she returned from a mission with her former unit, the 133rd Engineer Company, to Tunisia, her team members brought up the idea of volunteering with the new infantry company. Knowing her interest, several leaders in her unit asked if she would consider going infantry.

“They needed an NCO female. The call had gone around the state. I thought I’d sign up and I said yes.” Several days later she had her first drill with the unit. Then a professional obstacle arose. After her first drill, she was notified a new staff sergeant position was available back in the 133rd. That would be a promotion for her.

Graduates from 11 Bravo infantry training at Camp Guernsey hold up their blue cords at the end of the ceremony. The 33 soldiers completed two weeks of intense training at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center and the Regional Training Institute there with trainers from the infantry school in Arkansas. Among the graduates that will help comprise Wyoming's first infantry unit in more than 100 years, is the U.S. Army's first female infantry non-commissioned officer. (Wyoming Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jimmy McGuire/released)
Graduates from 11 Bravo infantry training at Camp Guernsey hold up their blue cords at the end of the ceremony. The 33 soldiers completed two weeks of intense training at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center and the Regional Training Institute there with trainers from the infantry school in Arkansas. Among the graduates that will help comprise Wyoming’s first infantry unit in more than 100 years, is the U.S. Army’s first female infantry non-commissioned officer. (Wyoming Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jimmy McGuire/released)

“Initially I did pick the promotion because that is what I was working towards. With the promotion system, I didn’t know what it would be like, I knew (the infantry company) had a lot of (staff sergeants).” Careful counseling with senior leaders led her back to the infantry decision. A week and a half away from the start of the course, Atkins was in, ready for the challenge, but more importantly, the experience.

“I just wanted the experience really,” she said. “Being able to see what I can do with the infantry and help with the integration process.”

Changing mindsets or stereotypes helped keep her motivated during the two weeks of training.

“I thought I’d be an asset to help with the change. I wanted to show it’s not going to be so bad with a female next to you in the field. It doesn’t have to be a big deal as some people would say.”

With blue infantry cord in hand, Atkins may have been the first, but she isn’t focused on that. It is time to help the unit stand up and start training.

“I just want to keep rolling,” she said. “I don’t think I’m the only one that could have done it. I was just in the right place at the right time. I’m looking forward to see what women can do in the infantry, change stereotypes. I don’t know where it is going from here, just glad to be a part of it.”

Story by Maj. Thomas Blackburn (Wyoming National Guard)

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