It is 5 a.m. and dawn has yet to break over Tominac Fitness Center on Hunter Army Airfield. It's a chilly January morning, but for US Army Medical Department Activity Patient Administration Specialist, Sgt. Wendy Stewart, it is time to go to work.
"It's all ultimately on, do you want to do it," Stewart said. "Do you have what it takes? If you don't think you have what it takes, train for it and make it happen. If this is really, ultimately what you want to do."
Later this month, Stewart leaves for Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning Georgia, where she will participate in an estimated six weeks of infantry training. Stewart is participating in this training with two other female Soldiers. During the rigorous training process, Stewart will have the responsibility to become proficient in all of the duties required of an infantryman.
"I'm looking forward to just learning a lot," Stewart said. "I think that's the reason why I'm doing this. I want to learn. I want to be able to teach and I want to be able to use those skills eventually in my career."
If Stewart completes the AIT training process, she will become one of the first female enlisted Soldier's to reclassify into a combat arms slot from Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield.
"If your mindset is to go and fight for this country," Stewart said. "I think you should give your all, work on it, train for it, and learn as much as possible and give it a try."
Stewart follows a rigorous training routine to prepare for AIT training.
"I do a lot of intervals," Stewart said. "I tend to run a lot, I continue to ruck. It's mostly interval sprints and long distance running that has really helped me."
"It all falls down to … do you really want to do this," Stewart said. "If so, what are you willing to do? What steps are you willing to take in order to accomplish these goals?"
Stewart's perseverance and her refusal to quit have left a lasting impression with leadership at Tuttle Army Health Clinic at Hunter. Stewart plans to join the 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper after successfully completing AIT training.
"Sergeant Stewart is really a fantastic Soldier," US Army MEDDAC, Tuttle Commander, Lt. Col. Michael Tarpey said. "She's got the right work ethic, the right mentality, the right dedication to taking care of our Soldiers and to the defense of this nation. I'm confident that she can go to Fort Benning, complete that infantry training through airborne school, and move on to the 82nd Airborne division and just do a fantastic job as a female infantry Soldier."
Stewart credits the support of her unit and the continued encouragements of her Tuttle Family with helping her keep focus on her end goals.
"Were a great unit, we've come together as a whole," Stewart said. "We worked as a group and we were able to accomplish most goals that we've had in mind for myself and other Soldiers."
Stewart sees the opportunity to participate in AIT training and ultimately join the infantry as an 11 Bravo as a way to give back to her country.
"Serving for my country is the least I can do," Stewart said. "I'm marrying this life. This is what I want to do. I'm going to give it my all and I'm staying dedicated and motivated. Not just for myself, but for my Soldiers and for my country."
Stewart's eyes are forward, her body is crouched and ready, her dedication to service and unrelenting spirit will keep her training in the early hours, until she reaches her goals.
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