Ankeny woman becomes first enlisted infantry soldier in Iowa Army National Guard

Associated Press

An Ankeny resident and Iowa State University student has become the first woman enlisted infantry soldier in the Iowa National Guard.

Pfc. Taylor Patterson returned from basic training at Fort Benning in Georgia last month and is with Company C, 168th Infantry, the Guard said. There are approximately 9,000 service members in the Iowa National Guard.

Pfc. Taylor Patterson raises her right hand as Maj. Jodi Marti, deputy surface maintenance manager, states the oath of enlistment during a swear-in ceremony in June 2021 at Camp Dodge in Johnston. Patterson became the first enlisted female soldier in the Iowa National Guard.

It’s been five years since the U.S. Army opened combat arms positions to women. An infantry soldier must complete a 22-week training stint, where they learn skills ranging from squad tactics to close-quarter combat training.

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Patterson says she succeeded in the training with the help of her drill sergeants and support from her family.

“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,” Patterson said.

Patterson is currently studying animal science at Iowa State University in Ames.