Iron Mike (Iron Mike is the de facto name of various monuments commemorating servicemen of the United States military. The term “Iron Mike” is uniquely American slang used to refer to men who are especially tough, brave, and inspiring) is being replaced by Iron Mary.
Via WISTV:
A Robeline native is making armed forces history as the first woman to enlist in the infantry in the United States Army.
Women in combat has been a topic of controversy for years, but now progress is being made.
Tammy Barnett was a police officer but traded in her badge to make history.
She’s looking forward to seeing action on the front lines and making gains for women in the military.
Thursday, Barnett proudly raised her hand to take the Oath of Enlistment.
Dressed in tennis shoes, jeans and a t-shirt, 25-year-old Tammy Barnett stepped into the history books.
Barnett has been meeting with a recruiter since November and this week, at the military processing unit in Shreveport, she took a leap that’s never been made before, she joined the infantry in the U.S. Army.
“They told me that I would be the first female in history to go infantry in the military,” said Barnett.
Recently, the defense department lifted gender-based restrictions on military service. The historic change cleared the way for women like Barnett who want to serve on the front lines.
On April 4, the processing center received word that women would be allowed to sign up for combat jobs. Now, Barnett is hoping that others will follow her lead.
“I hope that I give them the courage, because I’m a small female, if I can do it, they can do it too, this could give them the courage to step out of their comfort zone,” explained Barnett.