Female Mechanic Paves the Way for Future Generations

--DVIDS Hub News  by Sgt. Thomas Duval

Spc. Tiffany Willand, light-wheeled mechanic serving with the 3rd IBCT, mounts a tire on a M978A2 Army fuel truck Oct. 3, 2013, at the Mansfield Motorpool on Fort Knox, Ky. Willand is helping pave the way for future women aspiring to be military mechanics.

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Silhouetted by the shadow of a 38,000-pound M978A2 Army fuel truck, Spc. Tiffany Willand is a long way from home.

Once a city girl from Tacoma, Wash., Willand is now a light-wheeled mechanic assigned to the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.

As a mechanic with the 201st Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd IBCT, Willand is one of 12 soldiers who specializes in servicing, repairing and maintaining more than 400 pieces of rolling equipment ranging from Humvees to generators.

Through hard work and dedication, Willand is helping lead the way for future females aspiring to be mechanics in the Army.

“Most people are surprised when they find out we have a female working as a female mechanic that can hold her own,” Staff Sgt. Timbya Willand, senior floor mechanic for Company B, 201st, BSB, said. “Willand is one of the best soldiers that I have turning wrenches and among the best that I have worked with.”

Since arriving to the unit, Willand has surprised her subordinates and earned the respect of her peers.

“Spc.Willand knows her job inside and out and can keep pace with all of the other soldiers,” Whitted said. “She is our battle buddy in arms and I wouldn’t trade her for the world.”

“There is a good chance she might know more about vehicles than me,” Spc. Demetrius Griffin, a fellow light-wheeled mechanic assigned to Willand’s unit added.

Although her work ethic has won the support of her battle buddies it wasn’t always easy to come by. After graduating high school, Willand’s career path wasn’t in line with what her family had in mind.

It took a lot of back and forth talking but once everyone understood how she felt about joining the military, they were OK with her decision. Her family just didn’t want her to deploy to a bad place, Willand said.

“When I talk to them now they still worry, but I remind them that someone has to fight for the right of freedom and liberty,” she said.

Like most soldiers, fighting for that freedom means sacrificing much more than just time. In addition to working long hours, Willand has traded in many luxuries like manicures, pedicures and fancy clothes for greased-stained gloves and oily coveralls.

“I enjoy being a female mechanic,” Willand said. “I see it as an honor and privilege to serve alongside my male counterparts even if it means I have to get a little dirty sometimes.”

With the supply of Army vehicles needing serviced in high demand, Willand’s days spent underneath war-fighting equipment are far from over.

“I plan on making the Army a career and if I stay a mechanic I want to learn all there is to know about all military vehicles and maybe even go warrant officer,” she said.

Regardless of where she finds herself in the future, Willand plans to inspire as many young females as she can while wearing the Army uniform.

“I want to let young females thinking about joining the Army know, don’t limit yourself, always push yourself and always prove you can do anything you put your mind to,” Willand said.