Thursday, January 14, 2021
  • About us
    • Write for us
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy Policy
  • RSS Feeds
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
DefenceTalk
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
DefenceTalk
No Result
View All Result

Female Army Recruit Under Investigation

by Jacky Chia
February 11, 2016
in Army News, Defence & Military News, United States Military
2 min read
0
Female Army Recruit Under Investigation
10
SHARES
147
VIEWS

United States Army Combat Engineer recruit Private Erika Lopez has turned herself in to authorities at Fort Leonard Wood on Thursday night, 4 February 2016, after being Absent Without Leave (AWOL) for 30 days. The mother of two was branded as a deserter before she turned herself in – a status given to a soldier after being AWOL for 30 days.

Private Lopez signed up for the 12B Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) on 26 June 2015, after the Army opened the Combat Engineer position to females that very month. Army officials confirmed that she was the first female recruit from the state of Tennessee to sign up for a Combat Engineer MOS, and the fourth woman ever to do so.

Upon her enlistment, Private Lopez made a statement to Local 8 News saying: “Women can do anything they set their mind to just as well as men” and that “I don’t really see any difference at all. I hope women will want to join”.

The female recruit arrived at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri on 22 September, before starting her One Station Unit Training (OSUT) on 5 October. She completed the 10-week long Basic Combat Training, and was on the first week of Advanced Individual Training when she was sent home on convalescent leave. The reasons behind her convalescent leave were not given.

Basic Combat Training, known as the “red, white and blue phases”, begins with the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), along with instruction in Army values, military law and rifle basics. Recruits also receive training in marching, rappelling from structures, navigating as well as Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) defence. They move on to rifle handling and marksmanship practice, and finish off the last three weeks with advanced weapons and combat tactics training.

The Advanced Individual Training, called the “black and gold phases”, is where Combat Engineer recruits receive instruction in the operation of combat support vehicles, detection and clearance of mines, demolitions and the construction of bridges.

Private Lopez was due to report back to Fort Leonard Wood on 4 January 2016 after her leave, and was given AWOL status the next day after failing to turn up. It is unclear if Lopez had intended to gain deserter status prior to turning herself in, but that remains as speculation as military investigation is still underway.

Tiffany Wood, a spokeswoman for Fort Leonard Wood, stated that: “Pvt. Lopez’s unit will look at all the facts and circumstances surrounding the situation and take appropriate action”. Until the investigation concludes, it remains to be seen if Lopez will face charges for her desertion in a court-martial, be separated from the service, or be reintegrated into training.

Kelli Bland, a spokeswoman for United States Army Recruiting Command, said that the 12B MOS is the most popular combat arms position opened to women in the Army thus far. In the time since the Army Combat Engineer MOS opened to females in June, over 171 women have shipped to training, with 143 females waiting to start the Future Soldier Training Program. There are currently 92 women undergoing Combat Engineer OSUT.

Previous Post

MBDA Delivers ASRAAM Missiles for F-35 Integration

Next Post

Russia Redeploys 40 Combat Aircraft at Forward Airfields in Snap Drills

Related Posts

DOD’s Autonomous Vessel Sails Through Transit Test, Participates in Exercise Dawn Blitz

DOD’s Autonomous Vessel Sails Through Transit Test, Participates in Exercise Dawn Blitz

January 14, 2021

A Ghost Fleet Overlord unmanned surface vessel, part of a partnership between the Defense Department's Strategic Capabilities Office and the...

NORAD Air Defense Exercise Planned for National Capital Region

NORAD Air Defense Exercise Planned for National Capital Region

January 13, 2021

The North American Aerospace Defense Command will conduct Falcon Virgo, a routine air defense exercise, on Thursday, January 14, through...

Next Post
Russian Sukhoi Su-34

Russia Redeploys 40 Combat Aircraft at Forward Airfields in Snap Drills

Latest Defense News

DOD’s Autonomous Vessel Sails Through Transit Test, Participates in Exercise Dawn Blitz

DOD’s Autonomous Vessel Sails Through Transit Test, Participates in Exercise Dawn Blitz

January 14, 2021
NORAD Air Defense Exercise Planned for National Capital Region

NORAD Air Defense Exercise Planned for National Capital Region

January 13, 2021
Russia Developing Anti-Drone Weapons

Afghanistan probes air strike that killed civilians

January 11, 2021
Night-Vision Revolution: Less Weight, Improved Performance

Night-Vision Revolution: Less Weight, Improved Performance

January 11, 2021
Biden: Better Conventional Arms Will Allow Nuclear Drawdown

Biden urged to renounce sole control of US nuclear weapons

January 11, 2021
Final Trophy Active Protection Systems Delivered to US Army

Final Trophy Active Protection Systems Delivered to US Army

January 11, 2021

Defense Forum Discussions

  • 2 Fairchild A-10C Thunderbolt II United States Air Force USAF arrival RAF Fairford
  • Afghanistan War
  • Royal New Zealand Navy Discussions and Updates
  • United States Defense Thread
  • General Aviation Thread
  • Indonesia: 'green water navy'
  • Russian Navy Discussions and Updates
  • New Coronavirus threat
  • NZDF General discussion thread
  • Testing the Nikon Z7 II; What a Great Camera with Super Focus
DefenceTalk

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com

Navigate Site

  • Defence Forum
  • Military Photos
  • RSS Feeds
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com