Women's History Month: Airman shares her unique, notable Air Force experience

[itsrobert]

http://www.acc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123403123



3/19/2014 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Editor's Note: This feature is part of a series recognizing and celebrating females in the 4th Fighter Wing during Women's History Month.

Marcia Montoya knew she wanted to follow in her relative's footsteps and become part of the third generation of her family to join the military.

When Montoya sat down with her U.S. Air Force recruiter, he informed her of all the jobs she qualified for and what each one entailed. When he described security forces he was surprised when she said "Sign me up!"

Three years later, now Senior Airman Montoya, 4th Security Forces Squadron defender, was tasked to join the first Air Force Security Forces Female Engagement Team in Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The FET is an all-female patrol team that travels into villages in Afghanistan and develops trust-based and enduring relationships with the Afghan women they encounter on their patrols.

"The women in these villages don't have health care the way we do as Americans," said Montoya. "I sat with these women and educated them on practicing healthy hygiene habits."

Montoya said even though their mission was to deliver care packages of winter clothing and talk to the women in the villages, she feels they helped her more then she helped them.

Being deployed to Afghanistan, according to Montoya, opened her eyes to becoming a more culturally aware and adaptable Airman.

"I think the women in the villages taught me better ways to communicate and to be more aware of myself," said Montoya. '

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