AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar (April 3, 2014) -- Being a part of an organization like the U.S. Army that is almost 250 years old it isn't easy to be the first at many things.
Many have come before so leaving a mark in Army history is no easy feat.
Command Sgt. Maj. Heather Smith, 3rd Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery, from Fort Bragg, N.C., is the first woman chosen as the battalion's CSM. She is also the first Forces Command CSM in the ADA branch.
Smith enlisted in the Army on Nov. 16, 1993 as a 24T Patriot Operator and Systems Mechanic which is now referred to as a 14E.
"The Gulf War was still fresh in my memory, and I thought that the job of a 24T sounded exciting so I chose it," said Smith, a native of Brick, N.J.
The senior noncommissioned officer has experienced her share of obstacles along her career path, too, such as "Having to deploy while my son was six months old."
Upon her introduction to field artillery (FA) and infantry in the Warriors Leaders Course, Smith encountered her first experience with a gender bias within her peer group and from the leaders appointed over her.
She said she owes a great deal of her professional development to some mentors like Col. Liz Smith, Command Sgt. Maj. James Ross, Luther Harris, Finis Dodson, Henry Bacon, Kevin McGovern and 1st Sgt. Charles Williams.
Smith cites her personal heroes as, "All my troopers who surpass their own expectations using the opportunities the Army provides. It's a good life if you apply it correctly."
She felt excited when she made the CSM list, and though she realized that historical first, a measure of intimidation accompanied the achievement when she considered the proud alumni of the 3-4th ADA and its history.
"[I was] so intimidated that I went to airborne school so that I would not be the first LEG command sergeant major," she said. (Editor's note: LEG stands for less effective groundtrooper).
Although the FA branch has just opened over 30,000 new jobs to women, ADA has allowed women to serve side by side with their male counterparts for over 30 years.
"I think it's great that all MOSs will be open to women in the future, this doesn't mean that I want to be a field artillery NCO, but some women may," she said. "I always wanted to be a 14R and operate a Bradley, too bad that is no longer available."
Battalion CSM brings a whole new set of duties and likely goals. In that respect, Smith said her slate is clean and ready for new challenges.
"I have surpassed every goal I ever had, I joined the Army for structure and like most, my family was dysfunctional and I needed a way out. I wanted to be a platoon sergeant, that was it and I did the best I could; this is where I wound up," she said.
Along her career path, Smith said her promotion to sergeant and her first parachute jump were her most exhilarating memories.
For women Soldiers coming up through the ranks, or those considering military service, Smith offered advice for how to approach an Army career.
"Consider how you want to be remembered and then make decisions and act accordingly, don't let being a woman affect the way you handle your role as a leader, be a leader," she said.
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