Braelyn Riesel, Westmoreland Class of 2018, made history.
Riesel, 19, became the first female to enter the United States Army Infantry out of the Rome, New York Army Recruiting Station. 
In late September, Riesel will begin 22 weeks of training at Fort Benning in Georgia. After training, she will join the ranks of only about 600 other women in the country who have taken the same path to be able to serve on the front lines in combat.
According to a story aired by WKTV NEWSChannel 2, Riesel says her brother is also in the infantry in the Army and influenced her to join.
In January 2016, the United States Department of Defense opened all combat positions to women. In March, the first females ever to be deployed to the front lines were sent to Afghanistan. They belong to Fort Drum’s 10th Mountain Division.
While a student at Westmoreland, Riesel was a talented athlete and musician. She played the clarinet and was a six-year member of the Pride of Westmoreland Marching Band.
The Westmoreland Central School District congratulates Braelyn on her history making accomplishment, and wishes her well!
*Photo is courtesy of WKTV.com.