Hispanic Heritage Month: The First Female Sapper Leader Course Instructor

Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together

Make sure to follow SAME on your social channels and help celebrate the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month. 
#HispanicHeritageMonth
#HHM 
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In the spirit of honoring achievements within the Hispanic community whose impacts are felt beyond their profession, SAME presents the accomplishments of Sapper Leader Course instructor, Staff Sgt. Ariana Sanchez, USA.

An article titled, “First female Sapper Leader Course instructor paves the way for others” tells the story of the first female Sapper Leader Course Instructor in the U.S. Army’s history.

Author Amanda Sullivan of the Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office published the article on the U.S. Army website, August 24, 2022.

Originally from Ecuador, Sanchez began her military career in the Army National Guard before she transitioned to become a full-time active duty Soldier. Not wanting to sit behind a desk, Sanchez requested a combat MOS (Military Occupational Specialty).The combat engineer MOS, 12B had just opened to females and Sanchez began Engineer One Station Unit Training at Fort Leonard Wood. Intense and specialized training programs ultimately led Sanchez to Sapper training.

Read the full story.

Sapper Leader Course instructor Staff Sgt. Ariana Sanchez instructs students during the boat rigging event Tuesday at Training Area 250. Sanchez became an SLC instructor in 2021, making her the first female Soldier to hold the position. 
(Photo Credit: Photo by Amanda Sullivan, Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office)

In 1999, females were first accepted into the elite Sapper Leader Course. Since then, only 200 female Soldiers have completed the program. Only nine from enlisted ranks, and of those, only one, Staff Sgt. Sanchez, has become a SLC instructor.

As SAME continues its month-long celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15 through October 15, we are proud to showcase the diversity and richness of the Hispanic community and present inspirational stories of their accomplishments.

Following the theme Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together, SAME is celebrating Hispanic American contributions to the military and A/E/C communities by featuring SAME member profiles on social media as well as presenting HHM Fun Facts to foster a community of shared experiences and support throughout the month.

View the 2024 Member Profiles

View the 2023 HHM Member Profiles

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View the 2023 HHM Historical Article

Spotlight on Our Members

SAME’s multidisciplined membership spans the uniformed government, government civilian, private industry, academia, nonprofit, and student sectors. Through our uniquely joint environment, Society members collaborate and drive solutions for some of the toughest engineering challenges facing the A/E/C industry and our national security. Learn more about the benefits of SAME membership.