Story by Spc. Yon Henderson
2nd Lt. Tatiana Miranda, platoon leader from 2nd Battalion 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division became the first female officer in the 1st ABCT to qualify with an Abrams tank here on March 19, 2019.
2nd Lt. Miranda and her crew qualified with the M1A2 main battle tank during gunnery table six.
"2nd Lt. Miranda is a very determined, capable, and intelligent officer," said U.S. Army Capt. Adam J. Young, Alpha Company commander with the 2nd Bn. 34th Armor Regt. "It was exciting to see this part of history made, Miranda remained poised and executed flawlessly."
Until recently, women were prohibited from jobs in combat arms roles. Implementation of the plan to remove gender restrictions on all areas of the military has been ongoing since January 24th, 2013 when the ban was lifted on women serving in combat roles.
"She is a leader that everyone should aspire to be like," said Spc. Elise Fall, signal support systems specialist with 2nd Bn. 34th Armor Regt. "I am very proud to work with her."
2nd Lt. Miranda's father was in the army, she grew up in a military home, but didn't always know that she would join. It was in her junior year of college when she looked into the scholarships that the military offered and decided to sign up.
"It was never planned, it just happened that way," said 2nd Lt. Miranda.
2nd Lt. Miranda, who is originally from Jacksonville, Florida, graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in psychology and earned her commission as a 2nd Lt. When she arrived at her first duty station, Fort Riley, Kansas, she immediately deployed with 1ABCT to Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve.
"Since being in 2-34, she has been an asset to the team," said Spc. Fall.
2nd Lt. Miranda is an Intelligence officer, but when her Company needed a tank platoon leader, she stepped up to the task.
"I am always open to new ideas and experiences," 2nd Lt. Miranda said. "Like being the new tank platoon leader. I never thought I'd have this opportunity. As soon as it arose, I wasn't afraid to take the chance and try something new."
Miranda owes her accomplishment to her fellow Soldiers who helped her study and complete the qualifications successfully.
"Several great non-commissioned officers in Alpha Company led her through the prerequisites to tank crew gunnery, conducting Gunnery Skills Testing and the Advanced Gunnery Training System tables," said Capt. Young.
Once she qualified on the tanks with her crew, she felt ready to take on her new role as tank platoon leader for third platoon, Alpha Company, 2nd Bn. 34th Armor Regt.
"I knew she would do well," said 2nd Lt. KiAnna Duncan, assistant fire support officer with 2nd Bn. 34th Armor Regt. "She takes on her roles with no doubt that in the end it'll all work out because of her strength and strong mind."
2nd Lt. Miranda is one of over 3,000 Devil Brigade Soldiers stationed across Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve. Their presence, training, and participation in multinational exercises strengthens Europe and gives NATO the ability to respond to any crisis.
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