FORT SILL, Oklahoma – With the hiring of a new operations sergeant major at the 31st Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Brigade following Women’s Equality Day, two highly qualified women will soon lead the brigade’s operations division.

Women’s Equality Day celebrates the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibited the denial of the right to vote based on sex, as well as decades of work to combat gender discrimination.

The 31st ADA Brigade, the Archer Brigade, embodies the spirit of Women’s Equality Day every day of the year. Women serve with distinction throughout the formation at every level, including at the highest level with Brigade Commander Col. Lourdes Costas. There are no barriers to anyone’s potential and every person is respected.

Sgt. Maj. Amanda Gandy, the incoming Operations Sergeant Major of the Archer Brigade, is a prime example. Sgt. Maj. Gandy joined the Army in 2007, following in her twin brother’s footsteps. She joined as a Patriot Fire Control Enhanced Operator Maintainer and is no stranger to the Archer Brigade, having previously served in the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment. After a distinguished 17-year career, she has few regrets. The Army has provided her with many opportunities she would not have had otherwise.

“I like the Army,” said Sergeant Major Gandy. “I like what it gives me, and it has blessed me with many different things, including my husband and children.”

Her most fulfilling assignments were as a platoon leader and first sergeant of a Patriot battery. Both assignments took her to Korea, where she enjoyed the challenges and demands of the mission. During almost every deployment she made in the Army, she always felt like she was part of the team. Her male colleagues always gave her the respect she deserved.

For young soldiers, she offers the following advice: “If you master the basics and are in the right place at the right time and have the right attitude, you can be successful in the army. Contribute to the team and be a good team player.”

Sgt. Maj. Gandy will join Maj. Samantha Griesinger, the current operations officer. Maj. Griesinger was commissioned into air defense in 2012 from the United States Military Academy at West Point. She chose West Point because she wanted to follow the example of her mother in the Navy and her father in the Marines. She liked the air defense commission because she wanted to be in a position where she could make a difference right from the start.

“I wanted to be able to make a difference from the beginning,” explained Maj. Griesinger. “As a platoon leader, I can have a positive impact from the beginning.”

Maj. Griesinger said she is most proud in the Army when she makes a positive impact on the Soldiers she leads. “You always hear that a good leader can make or break a unit… It gives me a sense of victory when I can take care of my Soldiers by making sure they are personally cared for and that they receive the proper training to be successful.”

Maj. Griesinger has always enjoyed the diverse experiences in air defense. With the branch’s increasing need for short-range and medium-range air defense capabilities, the branch brings a lot that is unique. Her career has taken her to both Korea and Germany. She has enjoyed this time very much as it has exposed her to different cultures and given her and her Soldiers important missions.

She stressed the importance of giving new soldiers instructions but not hesitating to act. For her, the principle of operational leadership is what defines great leaders in the U.S. Army.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek advice, but don’t be afraid to take action either. Don’t wait to act when you know something needs to be done.”

Maj. Griesinger and Sgt. Maj. Gandy will soon co-lead the Operations Division, leading the heart and brain of the brigade’s operations. Whether it’s planning a large training event or rapidly deploying one of the brigade’s Patriot battalions, they will be on the front lines of all major Archer Brigade operations.

“The Army has so many women in leadership positions who have broken barriers and are role models for those behind them,” said Colonel Costas. The brigade commander expressed his confidence in the operations department and the numerous role models among the women in the Archer Brigade who strive to break barriers every day.

These are just two examples of success among many within the Archer Brigade. The Brigade prides itself on being a place where anyone, regardless of gender, can succeed. The 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade continually maximizes resources for Soldiers and Families to help them reach their potential.