Mother finishes first in Great Aloha Run with her 2 children

By Sgt. Sarah SangsterMarch 11, 2021

Spc. Kiala Nichols, an Aviation Operation Specialist (15P), assigned to 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, poses for a  photo in front of an UH-60 Blackhawk. Nichols has future dreams of becoming an UH-60 Blackhawk pilot.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sarah D. Sangster)
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Kiala Nichols, an Aviation Operation Specialist (15P), assigned to 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, poses for a photo in front of an UH-60 Blackhawk. Nichols has future dreams of becoming an UH-60 Blackhawk pilot.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sarah D. Sangster) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Sarah Sangster)
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Spc. Kiala Nichols, an Aviation Operation Specialist (15P), assigned to 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, poses for a photo in front of an American flag. Nichols is wearing earrings and nail polish in her combat uniform while still maintaining professionalism after the announcement of changes to the Army Grooming Standards AR 670- 1 on Feb. 24, 2020. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sarah D. Sangster)
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Kiala Nichols, an Aviation Operation Specialist (15P), assigned to 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, poses for a photo in front of an American flag. Nichols is wearing earrings and nail polish in her combat uniform while still maintaining professionalism after the announcement of changes to the Army Grooming Standards AR 670- 1 on Feb. 24, 2020. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sarah D. Sangster) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Sarah Sangster) VIEW ORIGINAL
Spc. Kiala Nichols, an Aviation Operation Specialist (15P), assigned to 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, poses for photo after completing the 2021 8-Mile Great Aloha Run while pushing her two children in a double stroller and wearing her IOVT with plates and finishing first in her category. (Courtesy photo)
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Kiala Nichols, an Aviation Operation Specialist (15P), assigned to 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, poses for photo after completing the 2021 8-Mile Great Aloha Run while pushing her two children in a double stroller and wearing her IOVT with plates and finishing first in her category. (Courtesy photo) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Sarah Sangster) VIEW ORIGINAL
Spc. Kiala Nichols, an Aviation Operation Specialist (15P), assigned to 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, poses for a photo in front of an American flag. Nichols is wearing earrings and nail polish in her combat uniform while still maintaining professionalism after the announcement of changes to the Army Grooming Standards AR 670- 1 on Feb. 24, 2020.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sarah D. Sangster)
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Kiala Nichols, an Aviation Operation Specialist (15P), assigned to 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, poses for a photo in front of an American flag. Nichols is wearing earrings and nail polish in her combat uniform while still maintaining professionalism after the announcement of changes to the Army Grooming Standards AR 670- 1 on Feb. 24, 2020.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sarah D. Sangster) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Sarah Sangster)
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Spc. Kiala Nichols, an Aviation Operation Specialist (15P), assigned to 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, poses for a  photo in front of an UH-60 Blackhawk. Nichols has future dreams of becoming an UH-60 Blackhawk pilot.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sarah D. Sangster)
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Kiala Nichols, an Aviation Operation Specialist (15P), assigned to 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, poses for a photo in front of an UH-60 Blackhawk. Nichols has future dreams of becoming an UH-60 Blackhawk pilot.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sarah D. Sangster) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Sarah Sangster)
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WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii — “That self-doubt was always in the back of my head during the run,” said Spc. Kiala Nichols after finishing the 8-mile 2021 Great Aloha Run, while pushing her one and two-year old children in a double stroller. “I had to shut the self doubt down and push those babies as a Soldier while wearing my IOTV (Improved Outer Tactical Vest) with plates, then ended up getting first place in my category.”

After having two kids and a two-year break in service, Nichols reenlisted back in the Army in 2020 as an Aviation Operation Specialist (15P), and is currently serving at the 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii.

“It wasn’t easy,” said Nichols. “I had to mentally and physically prepare myself for what it takes raising a family while serving in the military. Once you change your mindset that you can do it, the physical comes into place.”

Being a female in a predominantly male profession, Nichols wants to show other women they too can be great facing their own unique challenges.

“Now that I have two kids watching me, I just want to show them, and everyone else, that even in the days of doubt, you can set goals and can accomplish anything you put your mind to,” said Nichols. “Parenthood is 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. There is never a moment you are not learning, adapting, and overcoming new challenges.”

Nichols grew up in New London, Conn. with her Puerto Rican family that is very supportive of her career. She shows pride by representing her country and culture.

“Serving in the military gives me the opportunity to influence people from all kinds of backgrounds and I can inspire people in ways I wouldn’t be able to back home,” she said.

Nichols loves working in aviation and has dreams of becoming a future Blackhawk pilot.