Georgia National Guardsman represents at Women's National Championship

By Staff Sgt. R.J. Lannom JrMay 10, 2018

Standing Triple
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oklahoma City, Ok., September 30, 2017 - Georgia Army National Guardsman Spc. Corrisa B. Perry, a food service specialist with the 165th Quartermaster Company, (Aerial Delivery Support) comes into third base during the All Armed Forces second game at... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Pre-Game
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oklahoma City, Ok., September 30, 2017 - Georgia Army National Guardsman Spc. Corrisa B. Perry, a food service specialist with the 165th Quartermaster Company, (Aerial Delivery Support) Stands in the center of the team huddle before game two against ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Running in
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oklahoma City, Ok., September 30, 2017 - Georgia Army National Guardsman Spc. Corrisa B. Perry, a food service specialist with the 165th Quartermaster Company, (Aerial Delivery Support), runs into the infield prior to the start of her game at the USA... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Head's Up
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – On the Way Oklahoma City, Ok., September 30, 2017 - Georgia Army National Guardsman Spc. Corrisa B. Perry, a food service specialist with the 165th Quartermaster Company, (Aerial Delivery Support), returns a ball to the infield during the All Armed ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Warming Up
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Oklahoma City, Ok., September 30, 2017 - Georgia Army National Guardsman Spc. Corrisa B. Perry, a food service specialist with the 165th Quartermaster Company, (Aerial Delivery Support), warms up during batting practice at the USA Softball Women's Op... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Sept.30, 2017) - Georgia Army National Guard Spc. Corrisa B. Perry, a food service specialist with the 165th Quartermaster Company (Aerial Delivery Support), Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. was selected as a member of the All-Armed Forces Team for the USA Softball Women's Open National Championship, September 29 - October 1.

The All-Armed Forces Team is comprised of women service-members from all the branches of the U.S. Military: Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines Corps and Coast Guard. Perry was selected as a member of the All-Armed Forces Team while playing for the All-Army Women's softball team at the 2017 Armed Forces Women's Championship at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in September.

It has been a busy 12 months for Perry. In October 2016, she graduated the U. S. Army Airborne School, at Fort Benning, Ga. The school introduces soldiers to airborne operations via parachute insertion and airborne operations.

"Airborne School was tough," said Perry. "But an overall great experience and I'm looking forward to Air Assault school."

This spring, she was selected from the Ellenwood, Ga. based 78th Troop Command, Ellenwood, Ga. soldier of the year and represented the brigade at the Georgia National Guard 2017 Best Warrior Competition in March.

"I really enjoyed my experience during the best warrior competition," said Perry. "I enjoy the physical aspect of it, and I learned so much about individual military tasks."

Shortly after the completion of the best warrior competition, preparations began for her tryout for the All-Army softball team. Perry was a four-time Georgia High School State Track and Field finalist and was part of a 4 x 100 relay team that won the state championship in 2014.

She was selected for the All-Army team, after being approved to attend the organization's softball camp at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. She stood out Armed Forces Tournament, batting .501 with 20 runs scored. Her defensive presence and speed, however, is what brought her to the attention of the All-Armed Forces team coaches.

"Her speed on defense and her ability to run the base paths are what we noticed," said Armed Forces Assistant Coach, Chief Master Sergeant Danielle Hirvela, a squadron superintendent from the North Dakota based 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Base. "Since she has been on the team, her willingness to learn and seek consistent feedback has been amazing to work with."

Perry has learned a lot about herself over the course of this year by attending various training events and putting her skills to the test.

"Patience and trust are the two traits I've had to develop over the course of this year going through this process," she said. "I've had to trust the process and understand that not everything moves at the speed I want it to and to stay in the moment."

Perry also wants more Georgia Guardsmen to understand there are a lot more opportunities available for the traditional weekend Soldier.

"I started looking at other opportunities out there for Soldiers to get more involved," she said. "I could not believe all of the available sports and Army training programs that National Guardsman qualify for."

She also wants to put the word out to the All-Army sports program that the Georgia Army National Guard has plenty of athletes to provide across the spectrum of the program.

"I want to put the Georgia Army National Guard on the map," smiled Perry. "I know Georgia has a lot of athletes in the organization and we can compete at this level."

In November, she is scheduled to attend an Air Assault course conducted at Fort Benning, Ga.

The Georgia Army National Guard has numerous additional training opportunities for traditional soldiers who meet the training guidelines in addition to weekend drills and active duty training.

"I've been extremely blessed over the last year with the opportunities provided by the National Guard to attend various training events and improve my military skills," said Perry.