Guardian graduates from Army Airborne School

WASHINGTON — A U.S. Coast Guard female servicemember graduated from U.S. Army Basic Airborne School Wednesday, in Fort Benning Ga., as part of the Coast Guard's continued effort to create a more diverse working environment and to crosstrain with Department of Defense components.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Bridgitte M. Milheim, 25, from Frenchtown N.J., is assigned to Joint Maritime Training Center, Camp Lejeune, N.C.  Milheim was the only Coast Guard servicemember in her Airborne class. 

Milheim said this class gave her an opportunity to bond with members of other services and educate them about the missions and culture of the Coast Guard.

"The opportunity arose to send a Coast Guard servicemember to the school, and Petty Officer Milheim had all the skills and physical fitness required, making her an ideal candidate. This opportunity increases our diversity awareness in the Coast Guard and allows us to build upon our working relationship with other DoD services,"
said Capt. Steve Weiden, the Coast Guard Commanding Officer for the Joint Maritime Training Center. "We are very proud of Milheim’s accomplishments."

Milheim is receiving the tactical experience she needs to purse her goal of becoming a tactical instructor. She recently qualified as a Boatswain's Mate and is working on her Coxswain qualification.

The mission of the JMTC is to provide relevant and credible maritime security training and operational testing and evaluation in support of Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security missions.