Soldier turns childhood pastime into heartfelt renditions

By Staff Sgt. Christopher CalvertAugust 22, 2014

Soldier turns childhood pastime into heartfelt renditions
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Cortnei Fowler, an Irmo, S.C., native and information technology specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, sings the national anthem during a change of command ceremony for HHC, 1st Air... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldier turns childhood pastime into heartfelt renditions
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Cortnei Fowler, an Irmo, S.C., native and information technology specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, sings the national anthem during a change of command ceremony for the 3rd Assa... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT HOOD, Texas - Growing up as the youngest sibling in a musically-gifted family of five, Sgt. Cortnei Fowler found herself surrounded by the harmonious sounds of her family jamming together.

Later in the Army, music would become an outlet for her and a way for her to honor the nation - one rendition of the national anthem at a time.

"There are no words to describe it," said Fowler, an Irmo, South Carolina native. "Having the opportunity to sing the national anthem is like looking back at history, and then coming forward. You think about what it took to establish the Stars and Stripes, and what it will take to keep them flying for our nation."

As a child, Fowler, now an information technology specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, was the type of kid who could often be found bursting out in song at any time, she said. Her two older brothers, Craig and Crispin, and sister, Rhonda, would belt out classic tunes from the likes of the Temptations, Commodores and Etta James, as her father drummed along and her mother struck chords on the piano.

"I was always singing," she said. "From classical to oldies, pop, rock, jazz, blues and hip-hop, you name it, I was singing it."

During school, she sang chorus in fourth and fifth grades, and enrolled in performing arts throughout junior high. It was during this time Fowler found herself honing her vocal talent, she said.

"I became a perfectionist," she explained. "I made it a point to never forget the words. This is especially true once I learned the national anthem. I hold that one closest to my heart."

Despite her perfectionism, Fowler said she takes pride in her ability to remain calm during performances, even in situations that would make many panic.

"I remember one time I was a on a cruise with my family when I was 16," she recalled. "There was a talent show that I auditioned for, and I got a part in it. During the performance, my mind went completely blank, so I told the audience I forgot the words, and we shared a laugh together."

"I could have run off the stage crying," she added. "But instead, I composed myself, and the lyrics came back to me. Singing is an adrenaline rush, and often I can hear my heart beating, but once I begin, it all goes away."

After being home-schooled throughout high school, Fowler's heart led her to enlist in the military about eight years ago to serve the country, she said.

It was in basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, during the culminating field training exercise, that she was offered her first chance to sing the national anthem.

"We were preparing to return from our last FTX, when they began looking for a group of Soldiers to perform the national anthem," she said. "I had never sung it before, but I volunteered, learned it in the field, and had the honor to sing it alongside three others as we donned our berets, as well as during Family day."

Since that performance, Fowler has gone on to sing during advanced individual training at Fort Gordon, Georgia, while stationed at Camp Humphreys, South Korea; and Fort Carson, Colorado; as well as while deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan. In the Air Cav, she often is recognized as the go-to Soldier to sing the national anthem during ceremonies and proceedings.

Fowler's supervisor, Staff Sgt. Jessica Alvarado, an electromagnetic spectrum manager and Taft, Texas, native with HHC, 1st Air Cav. Bde., said in addition to Fowler's vocal talents, she's also been a great asset to the unit.

"She's extremely self-sufficient," said Alvarado. "She's very meticulous and organized in everything she does. She's very easy to work with - the kind of Soldier you want to work alongside."

Now preparing to exit the military, Fowler said she takes with her the pride of knowing she had the chance to do something special throughout her eight years of active duty service.

"Every rendition of the national anthem that I got to sing came from the heart," she said. "It's been an honor to have the opportunity to sing on behalf of our great nation."