Camp Dodge, Johnston, IA – Officials with the Iowa Army National Guard report, last month, an Ankeny woman returned from basic training and became the first female enlisted infantry Soldier in the Iowa National Guard. Private First Class (PFC) Taylor Patterson with Company C, 168th Infantry joined in June 2020, and enlisted the infantry. PFC Patterson says her support system at home and her drill sergeants during infantry school pushed her to succeed. “There obviously was a lot of guys who didn’t think the females were able to do that, but I am like, I am proving it to you,” she said.

Patterson is sworn in as an 11 Bravo – Infantry soldier.

An infantry Soldier holds a significant role in the U.S. Army. These men and women learn a variety of skills, from squad tactics to close-quarter combat training to engage with the enemy during warfare. In January 2016, the U.S. Army opened combat arms positions to women. Since then, many women have sought to fill “front line” related jobs in the organization. Patterson was not the first female to enlist as an 11B infantryman in the Iowa National Guard. Still, previous women were unsuccessful in completing the grueling 22-week training at Ft. Benning, Georgia.

Major General Ben Corell, the Adjutant General said “The Iowa National Guard needs people who are willing and able to take on the challenge of serving in the infantry; Pfc. Patterson is breaking barriers for others to follow.” The Iowa National Guard consists of approximately 9,000 service members. Many of the Soldiers and Airmen train one weekend a month and two weeks a year.