Posted on 03/09/2006 3:10:03 PM PST by Shimmer128
Heather Stacey of Kathleen has accomplished something no one else has. She is the first female regimental commander of the Corps of Cadets at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville.
"I was speechless at first," the 19-year-old cadet colonel said. "I didn't think I stood a chance. I was just shocked."
As regimental commander, Stacey, who is originally from Warner Robins, is in charge of 650 cadets at GMC, which includes college, high school and middle school cadets. Some of her duties include bringing the regiment to attention as they raise the flag each morning at 7:30, keeping the formation in line as announcements are made, giving commands for all cadet parades and carrying out duties as instructed by the college's commandant of cadets.
Stacey is also the highest-ranking cadet in the college's Early Commissioning Program, which will allow her to become commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army when she graduates in May. The college is one of five military junior colleges in the nation that has an early program for cadets to earn an Army commission in two years instead of four.
Another interesting tidbit about Stacey: She was home-schooled her entire life by her mother, Sharon.
"I loved it," said Stacey, whose father, Tony, is a firefighter in the Warner Robins Fire Department. "If I had to do it all over again I would still choose to be home-schooled. I've done really well here at GMC because of that."
Before enrolling at Georgia Military College in the fall 2004, she spent several weeks at a leadership training course in Fort Knox, Ky. The training gave her an introduction into the Army, where she learned skills like marching, drilling ceremonies, physical training and saluting. She also spent time last summer at Fort Lewis, Wash., as part of a leadership development advanced course.
Serving her country by joining the Army has been a lifelong dream. Her grandfather Alton Hilton Sr., who at one time resided in Warner Robins, was part of an Army special operations unit and was wounded during the Korean War. Her other grandfather, Milledgeville resident Roy H. Stacey, served in the Air Force.
Upon graduating in May, Stacey plans to attend North Georgia College to complete a bachelor's degree in Spanish. At GMC she has been involved with Alpha Phi Omega and SGA, and has served almost two years in the Army National Guard.
Stacey estimated there are 20 to 25 women college cadets in the program, as well as younger females in the prep school. Being the first woman regimental commander is quite an honor, but the choice was made based on who would be the best cadet for the job, school officials said.
"She has always had a very positive, can-do attitude, which is important," said Patrick Beer, commandant of cadets. "Every time there was an evaluation, she always hit at the very top."
In short: "She earned it," he said.
Beer added that the previous regimental commander and several others who were nominated for the position had recommended Stacey. Cadets, put on an order of merit list, are recommended based on demonstrated leadership abilities, attitude, discipline and scholarship.
Stacey's mother couldn't be more proud of her daughter, the first to attend college in the family.
"I try to tell her to stay grounded," said Sharon Stacey. "Keep God first and your family, and treat everybody the way you want to be treated."
Raising her daughter in a Christian home, Sharon Stacey said she has always tried to set a good example for Heather Stacey and her two younger sisters, Holly and Annie.
"I'm proud of her ... because she took the tools we've given her and applied them. Hopefully, she'll be an example for another young person," Sharon Stacey said.
With all the hype about being the first female for such an important position Stacey has managed to keep a level head on her shoulders.
"I was really nervous since I am the first female. Anything I do is going to be watched ... under the microscope really," she said. "It's going well so far. I have faith it will be OK."
I applaud this lady and hope she won the honor the old fashioned way, by being better. Sad to say, accomplishments are overshadowed by PC in these times. People get honors for being the best (fill this space) in the corps, instead of being the best sometimes.
Congratulations to Heather!!! Please tell her that we're all MIGHTY happy for and proud of her!!
I'll call Sharon right now and tell her you said that.
I'm happy to say she did win this honor by her superlative abilities and behavior. (and she's just a doll)
Her sisters are dolls too. Holly is in 10th grade and Annie is in 6th.
Yo! Tiggy! Show psycho this thread, will you please?
And THIS is what it SHOULD be about!!! I'm sitting here at work with a huge grin on my face and I don't even know Heather! :)
Curious: how much homeschooling was done by dad?
As an AF Academy grad (Class of '77) and father to seven homeschooled children (have been homeschoolers well over 20 years...), please pass on my congratulations to this fine young lady. She will no doubt make a fine, fine officer.
Please do.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/935111/posts
As a former Outstanding Military Student as well as Star Student of Georgia Military College (I won't say which year!), let me add my congratulations to Heather and say how proud I am of her. I hope she goes on to a great career in the military; she is needed there.
Probably none was done by dad, although they are quite a team. Tony works another job in addition to being a fireman. Busy, busy, busy! But he's such a great husband and father, according to what I see, I've only met him once. But he's so supportive of his gals and such an encourager, apparently. Sharon is too, those girls are AWESOME.
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