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| Military Police Officer Brooke Ellis shares one of her M.R.E.s (meals ready to eat) with the girls |
Brooke is not only the daughter of Frank Hammond Principal Nancy Ellis, but she's an inspiring hero in her own right! Brooke is a trained military police officer and soon-to-become second lieutenant in the U.S. Army!
She is a senior at Purdue University, a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and a member of the National Guard!
She has won honors for her accomplishments in physical contests against her fellow students, often beating her male fellow soldiers at number of push-ups, a "hang" test, etc.!
The girls loved her visit so much they were literally begging her for more! More meals-ready-to-eat (M.R.E.s); more military-style drills (in the FHH library!), and more show-and-tell with her cool military sleeping bag system, ammo pouch, load-bearing vest and other gear!
The girls again asked some great questions as they explored the roles for women in the military.
Brooke explained that the best way to battle stereotypes that women aren't as strong as men is simply to "overcome them."
"Show guys women are just as good if not better than guys at many things," she said.
Brooke said she was inspired to go into the military by playing with GI Joe dolls growing up and the fact that her grandparents and father were in the Army. She said she has three older brothers, none of whom went into the military. Her family was supportive of her desire to be an officer, but wanted her to make sure she got an education first.
Brooke taught the girls some basic training and how to salute!
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| Lindsey Army crawls through as the girls "Igloo Up!" |
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| Tori Army crawls through the troop igloo. |
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| Brooke leads the girls through a drill called "Front! Back! Go!" |
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| Brooke explains some of her boot-camp drills! |
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| Who knew M.R.E.s could be so popular?! ;-) |
So grateful we've had such great speakers so far!
The girls, meanwhile, are doing an awesome job filling out their journals and bringing their great ideas for a Bronze (community service) project to our meetings! Keep up the GREAT work, girls!
We got to Camp Tecumseh next weekend and then have a pause before our next meeting on Friday, October 16. The girls should be filling out their journals through "Section Three" and keep writing down any project ideas for improving our community in the Bronze (tabbed) section of the journal. If we add in any extra activities or meetings we'll keep you posted!
