It’s fair to say doom and gloom dominates most days of reporting life, but once in a while the opportunity to meet someone impressive arises.
Brandy Soublet is a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. She’s also a trail blazer, not that she’d admit it. Soublet is one of 45 women in the entire Marine Corps who’ll enter a group of all-male combat battalions in the near future.
“Whether or not I’m a pioneer or a new officer hitting the forces, I just want to do a good job,” said the modest 25-year-old in a phone interview.
It’s easy to say her parents are proud of her accomplishments, but equally as scared.
“Like any parent, we have reservations,” said Henry Soublet, Brandy’s father. “It’s something that she’s chosen and she’s been training for a long time.
Soublet and her fellow female officers will be closer to front lines than their predecessors.
“It is a different type of opportunity than other female officers have gotten to take advantage of,” said Soublet.
There was no gloating in her voice, no interest in saying she fought for any of this. In reality, she says it was an assignment she said was “right place, right time.”
Her training has given her the confidence to believe she’s ready for any challenge, but does not yearn to put her five foot frame against enemies on the front line. For that, she’s courageous and honest.
“I’m nervous, I’m excited, and I’m just trying to do my job.”
Evan White, Reporter
