Pvt. Meosha Morris of Jacksonville, Florida, was the first female to enlist as a combat engineer, MOS 12B. She took her oath of enlistment last month.
Jacksonville Battalion Enlists First Female Combat Engineer
Story and photos by Cynthia Rivers-Womack, USAREC, Jacksonville Battalion
July 8, 2015
Jacksonville recruiter Staff Sgt. James Puckett enlisted one of the Army’s first active-duty female combat engineers, MOS 12B. Twenty two-year-old Pvt. Meosha Morris took her oath June 18. Two other young women also enlisted that day as a 12B.
Morris was referred to Puckett by a Future Soldier, whom Morris had helped lose weight and get into shape. Impressed with Morris' workout routine and dedication in helping her reach her goal, the Future Soldier suggested Morris, a former high school basketball player and cheerleader talk with Puckett.
However, clearing mines, erecting bridges, and detonating explosives was not her first choice when Morris started talking to the recruiter. In a desire to expand her nursing skills, she was interested in a medical MOS. She changed her mind after talking with her sister, a Marine Corps officer, who encouraged her to do something different.
Morris said one of the most important things about the enlistment process was the encouragement she received from Puckett.
“[He] always showed interest in my willingness to join and kept me motivated,” she said.
There were no vacant training slots in the medical field when Morris went to the Jacksonville Military Entrance Processing Station.
But her ASVAB and line scores qualified her for a job previously closed to women - combat engineer. Puckett was not surprised she qualified for that job.
“She met the physical demand rating for the job,” he said. “Plus, the test for this type of job is not something you just show up and pass.”
Enthusiastic about her job choice, Morris said, “I know there’s a lot of pressure but I’ll have to show that I’m not scared and I won’t back down.”
Story and photos by Cynthia Rivers-Womack, USAREC, Jacksonville Battalion
July 8, 2015
Jacksonville recruiter Staff Sgt. James Puckett enlisted one of the Army’s first active-duty female combat engineers, MOS 12B. Twenty two-year-old Pvt. Meosha Morris took her oath June 18. Two other young women also enlisted that day as a 12B.
Morris was referred to Puckett by a Future Soldier, whom Morris had helped lose weight and get into shape. Impressed with Morris' workout routine and dedication in helping her reach her goal, the Future Soldier suggested Morris, a former high school basketball player and cheerleader talk with Puckett.
However, clearing mines, erecting bridges, and detonating explosives was not her first choice when Morris started talking to the recruiter. In a desire to expand her nursing skills, she was interested in a medical MOS. She changed her mind after talking with her sister, a Marine Corps officer, who encouraged her to do something different.
Morris said one of the most important things about the enlistment process was the encouragement she received from Puckett.
“[He] always showed interest in my willingness to join and kept me motivated,” she said.
There were no vacant training slots in the medical field when Morris went to the Jacksonville Military Entrance Processing Station.
But her ASVAB and line scores qualified her for a job previously closed to women - combat engineer. Puckett was not surprised she qualified for that job.
“She met the physical demand rating for the job,” he said. “Plus, the test for this type of job is not something you just show up and pass.”
Enthusiastic about her job choice, Morris said, “I know there’s a lot of pressure but I’ll have to show that I’m not scared and I won’t back down.”