Signal Soldiers have unusual opportunities

Pvt. Zach Zuber/3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division

DIYALA, Iraq – Soldiers in the 334th Signal Company, 296th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, have a typical daily routine. Usually, it involves missions, workouts, and in downtime, video games or other activities with their buddies.

No matter what the day brings, two female drivers and one .50 caliber gunner in the company have different daily activities than most female Soldiers.

“There aren’t many female drivers in the Army, but it’s just a job and anyone can do it,” said Spc. Diana Hildebrand, a driver for 2nd Platoon, and a signal support specialist.

“I don’t segregate myself because I’m a female,” said Spc. Martha Montes, also in 2nd Platoon, a remote weapon system operator for her Stryker. “A Soldier is just a Soldier, and I try to do my job better than anyone else.”

Both are a prime examples of how Soldiers can accomplish any task given to them. They work hard every day to take care of everyone in their platoon.

“Being a driver can be rough on anyone; your only concern is everyone else in your truck,” Hildebrand said. “They depend on me to get them where they are going safely.”

The Soldiers start their days early, ensuring everything on their vehicles works properly.

“We do maintenance before every mission, checking radio equipment to make sure it is operational, and I check to make sure the weapons system is working,” Montes said.

The women don’t just work on the vehicles; they also use time off to make personal improvements. Montes is currently completing correspondence courses and studying for the promotion board to become a sergeant.

“I try to always be the best at what I do,” Montes said. “When I meet someone better than me, I try to learn as much from them as possible.”