Female Service Members Stationed in North Carolina Connect, Forge Bonds During Whitewater Rafting Excursion

Women’s History Month is a time when Americans honor women who have helped shape our country over the years through their remarkable achievements. While Women’s History Month is in March each year, the USO honors and serves our women service members all year round.

According to the 2021 Demographics Profile of the Military Community report published by the Department of Defense (DoD), there are over 231,700 women serving on active duty with another 171,000 serving in the Selected Reserves and National Guard, an increase of about 9,000 over the past four years.

Over time, new doors have opened to women in the military in previously closed military specialties, combat positions, leadership roles, and command positions. With each new opportunity, women have emerged as military leaders in combat operations and assumed vital command billets.

These dedicated women serve in every branch of the military, and hold ranks from enlisted personnel to four-star general, and perform critical jobs from doctors, combat engineers to fighter pilots.

To celebrate female service members currently stationed in North Carolina, USO North Carolina’s Outdoor Adventure Team (OAT) and Piedmont area staff hosted an outdoor excursion March 31, for 15 female service members at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C.

The group, guided by Megan Nisius, the USO NC Piedmont area program manager and Julie Milani, the USO NC Piedmont area center manager, along with Alyson Bosworth a Whitewater Center team building guide, enjoyed an exhilarating day of rock climbing, high ropes course, and a whitewater rafting experience down the world’s largest engineered whitewater river with class II-IV whitewater rapids.

“Having the opportunity to host this event for the third year in a row, where we bring together all female service members from different branches and installations throughout North Carolina for an afternoon of team building was amazing,” said Megan. “Watching these women encourage one another and most importantly themselves through challenges and going beyond their comfort zones, was powerful.”

The whitewater rafting experience also served as meaningful way for female service members to connect and forge bonds with their peers, who traveled from Camp Lejeune, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base to include members of the Army and Air National Guard who are stationed locally in the Charlotte area.

Most of the participants came to Charlotte not knowing each other but left with new friendships.

“I have been stationed here in Charlotte for almost two years, and this is the first time I have really gone out and connected with other women that are serving our country like me,” said Sgt. First Class Maria Rosilescisneros. “I am afraid of heights, and don’t really know how to swim, but today…I overcame my fears and had a blast.”

“Here at the center, we firmly believe in ‘challenge by choice,’ allowing our guests to overcome their fears on their own terms,” said Bosworth, who attended Air Force ROTC at UNC-Chapel Hill in the early 1980s. “These young ladies came together, offering their encouragement and friendship to one another, while truly enjoying themselves.”

Female service members represent only 17.3 percent of the department of defense active-duty force. Being a woman in a male-dominated career field such as the military, can be an intimidating obstacle for many to overcome.

“We’re in a male-dominated environment all the time, so we don’t get to see or interact with females that often, so events like this are amazing,” said Lance Cpl. Ariana Martinez, a supply clerk currently stationed at Camp Lejeune.

The USO has supported women in the military since our organization was first founded in 1941 and women first began serving in the Armed Forces. In the decades since, women have fought for the right to serve while pregnant, hold pilot roles, lead majority-male units, fight in combat and much, much more.

Today, women serve in more roles – and in more prestigious roles – than ever before, and the USO is there at every step of their service journey. USO North Carolina’s recent OAT event for female service members at the U.S. National Whitewater Center demonstrates the USO’s and America’s gratitude and commitment to service members and their families through programs focused on connection, strengthening, wellness and resiliency.

When the attendees were asked what they would share with their fellow female soldiers about the weekend getaway, the response was unanimous.

“Definitely a must do, the USO is so supportive and provides activities like this to bond with others and leave your stress and worries behind,” said Maria.

Women’s History Month is a time when Americans honor women who have helped shape our country over the years through their remarkable achievements. While Women’s History Month is in March each year, the USO honors and serves our women service members all year round.

To learn more about USO North Carolina’s upcoming events and how you can get involved visit northcarolina.uso.org/events.