The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 03:55 PM

Knoxville's Adriana Knisley Speaks To Local Media About Become First Female Combat Soidier In U.S. Army

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (SOURCE: WVLT) -- It was a huge decision that overturned decades of tradition: women allowed on the front lines of war.

One of the first females to finish infantry training is from right here in East Tennessee.

Local 8 News Anchor Lauren Davis sat down with Adriana Knisley to learn what it's like to be a female combat soldier.

Adriana Knisely graduated from Gibbs High School, and she wasted no time enlisting in the Army.

"I wanted to join since I was 12, and when I found out women were allowed, I got on it," said Knisley.

She was one of only 12 females to graduate from infantry training, earning her blue cord and an ammunition medal. Being different, Adriana hoped she wouldn't be singled out, but she was wrong.

"Most of the time you try to hide in the back so they don't see you," she said. "No, I was seen the first day. She was hard on me. Extra expectations for all of the females."

The Army trained her on guns and grenades, ruck sacks, clearing houses and carrying wounded soldiers. Knisley says,

"There were many days I was like, 'Why am I here, I shouldn't be here, I can't do this,' but I kept pushing through, and then on graduation I thought, 'This is why I'm here. I made it.'"

In the past, people argued women weren't physically up to the challenge or would damage unit cohesion. That's something Knisley said she understands.

"A lot of it has to do with certain people's bodies that aren't meant for that MOS, and certain people aren't made for infantry," she said. "It does a toll on your body. It's a lot of mental struggles."

Knisley said her motivation and determination helped her finish.
Although, she admits some male soldiers are uncomfortable working beside her.

"They kinda don't know how to act," she said. "Like, they're happy we're there, but some guys question, 'If I'm next to this female, will she carry me if i'm injured.'"

Knisley said her training has prepared her to do that and be the soldier she's dreamed of her whole life. She said her future plans include becoming a female drill sergeant in the Army.