By Erin Kingrey
erin@newsroom.byu.edu
They shoot grenade launchers, jump from airplanes, fire M-16s and survive tear gas. They are physically fit, executing over sixty push-ups. They're BYU ROTC cadets. And they're women.
When Tiffany Hemming's dad said she would have to find a way to finance college, the 20 year-old junior decided to join the army ROTC, she said.
Hemming, from Tacoma, Wash., majoring in American studies, said the ROTC has been a great experience for her.
She said she has learned leadership skills and gained confidence. She has made friends and become physically strong.
But it has been hard to be a woman in what some consider a man's world, Hemming said.
'As a girl I've sometimes felt like I've had to prove myself,' she said.
Nevertheless, the challenge of demonstrating that she is just as good as any male cadet has been an empowering experience, Hemming said.
She said she has found respect from her peers. Her physical test scores are excellent and she has been accepted as a leader.
When she had questions about how to lead a group she received advice that she said has served her well, 'Show them you know your stuff, but don't give up being a lady.'
Hemming said she is proud of her role as a female cadet, and so is her fianc?, Dan Andrews.
Andrews, 21, from Puyallup, Wash., will be starting BYU next semester to be with Hemming.
After they get married, he will begin eight years of following her to wherever the army sends her. He said he thinks it'll work out; so far he's not concerned with what they term a 'role reversal.'
The ROTC has been a good thing for Tiffany, he said. It has helped her focus.
Gamble Monney, 27, a senior from Victoria, Texas, majoring in English, is battalion commander, supervising cadets at BYU, Utah Valley State College and Southern Utah University.
He said the BYU ROTC program welcomes women.
'No one could ever say anything derogatory about our female cadets,' Monney said. 'They don't ask for anything special; they just do their job. We're glad to have them.'
Monney said the female cadets are outstanding.
Sonie Foster, 20, a sophomore from Kearney, Neb., majoring in wildlife and range resources, said she loves to prove herself in both the ROTC and the army reserves.
She said being in the minority has motivated her to be better.
But it's not always easy. The way the military should work, she said, is that everyone should be treated the same, regardless of gender. That's not always the case.
Although Foster exceeds the women's physical fitness goals, she is still unable to participate in some activities because she's not as strong as a man, she said.
And sometimes she gets extra, unsolicited help because she's a woman, Foster said.
I can sense people's feelings that I'm not as good as the male cadets, just because I'm female, she said.
Men outside of the ROTC have also had a hard time accepting that she is in the army, Foster said.
She said the last two people she dated broke up with her because they couldn't handle the fact that their girlfriend was in the army.
Adventures such as learning to parachute, coupled with her drive to be the best make the trials worth it, she said.
Recently, through her reserve service, she was informed that she might soon be deployed to Saudi Arabia, she said.
Like Hemming, Foster initially joined the ROTC to help pay for college, she said. The announcement that she could actually be activated came as a wake-up call.
I realized it's all about being free - having freedom of religion and democracy, Foster said.
Foster knows she may have to fight for her country, she said. Ultimately she may even have to give her life. To her, it's a part of the job.
'But what a way to go,' Foster said. 'I'd rather go defending my country than die of old age.'
Diana Jenkins, 21, a senior from Walla Walla, Wash., majoring in nursing, is also prepared to die for her country.
I think war is evil, Jenkins said. Nevertheless, I believe in our country.
'Mr. Clinton may not be my favorite person in the world, but he is my commander in chief, and I will follow him,' she said.
Although she has sometimes had doubts about serving in the military, she said she knows it is something she needs to do.
She said she feels respected by other cadets.
Jenkins also hopes her future children will respect her decision.
The skills - especially in leadership - that I've learned in the ROTC will help me to be a better mom, Jenkins said. I hope my kids will say with pride, 'my mom wears combat boots.'