Sgt. Maciel Hay made history as the first active duty female to pass the Army’s sniper school, achieving the elite qualification.
Growing up with a knack for target detection, Hay overcame doubts and rigorous training to fulfill her dream.
“My nickname growing up was ‘Sniper,'” Hay said. (Trending: Dr. Fauci Says the Unthinkable About Going To Church)
U.S. Army Sgt. Maciel Hay has defied the odds multiple times to make military history. 👏👏https://t.co/FxwjYb26mO pic.twitter.com/1ZslRJbayB
— FOX5 Las Vegas (@FOX5Vegas) December 8, 2023
“I grew up shooting, mostly rifles and handguns, on my family’s ranches in Rocklin, California, and Medford, Oregon,” Hay added.
“But the nickname came from the fact that I could find things really fast, similar to how a sniper does target detection.”
“A close friend of mine told me I’d never make it in the Army, and there’s no way I could become a sniper,” Hay said.
“Needless to say, that person is no longer part of my life. But now that I look back at it, I really do appreciate the motivation.”
“Sgt. Hay is just an incredible noncommissioned officer that comes to work every day with the intention of making not only her team better, but also the entire organization,” Hay’s platoon sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Antwon Jones, stated.
“The rapid target engagement and intelligence reporting were two of the toughest areas for me,” Hay said.
“I also struggled with the very last test where we had to engage long-distance targets while sitting on our rucksacks. That position threw off my balance.”
“Due to COVID travel restrictions, they [family] weren’t able to make it to my basic training or advanced individual training a few years ago,” Hay said.
“Then, I went straight to Germany to join my unit. So it was really nice to see them and I’m grateful for their support,” she said of her family’s visit.
Her next assignment will be with the 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment in Anchorage, Alaska, and she now aspires to become a jumpmaster, with potential plans to attend Ranger School.
From her childhood, Sgt. Maciel Hay's life has been marked by commitment and determination.
And this @173rdAbnBde Soldier isn't finished yet pursuing #ArmyPossibilities.
📰 https://t.co/4OL0QBfs1F pic.twitter.com/SVfsmuVqdZ
— U.S. Army (@USArmy) December 11, 2023
Her achievement has earned her admiration and respect from peers, proving that women are capable of the feat with the right motivation and determination.
“It’s great to hear stories about paratroopers doing great things,” Jones said.
“But especially when it’s a female defying the odds and proving women are just as capable to do anything when they have the motivation and drive to win.”
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