An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Article Display

244th Aviation Brigade's Soldier spotlight: 2nd Lt. Karissa Hewitt

  • Published
  • By Sgt. Christopher Sofia
  • 244th Aviation Brigade
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  This 244th Aviation Brigade Soldier Spotlight is on 2nd Lt. Karissa Hewitt, a military intelligence officer and new member of the Army Reserve's only aviation brigade - the mighty "Warhawks."

1. What brings you to the 244th Aviation Brigade and where are you from?
The 244th is my first unit in the U.S. Army Reserve. I'm transitioning from the Eagle Battalion (AROTC) located at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.

2. Why were you compelled to join the U.S. Army Reserve as a commissioned officer?
I always had a strong interest in joining the military. I blame my interest on all the history books and old war movies I read/watched as a child. When I went off to college, I joined ROTC and discovered that I wanted the military to be a part of my life. The reserves allows for me to follow my ambition to serve, do something I love, and conquer the other non-Army related goals I've outlined for my life.

3. Describe some of your personal and professional goals you would like to achieve while serving?
While serving, I have four personal and professional goals.

First, to be a sponge and grow into a better, more proficient leader. I want to be able to strengthen my weaknesses and test myself.

Second, travel. I want to be well-rounded and I believe to accomplish that I need to travel. A goal is to utilize opportunities within the U.S. Army Reserve to experience life itself.

Third, influence the Soldiers around me. I want to be able to guide Soldiers around me and influence their lives in a positive way.

Finally, my fourth goal is to have my senior thesis potentially published. It's about the United States military and the concept of culture in the operational environment. It took a lot of effort and time to research and write.

4. What type of leader do you aspire to be and what is unique to your approach to leading others?
I aspire to be a leader who is dependent, influential and adaptable. I want to be the type of leader who can positively influence others to better themselves individually and as a group. I want to be a leader that a Soldier and unit can depend on and trust. I most definitely aspire to be the type of leader Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf talked about. Leadership is a combination of character and strategy. I believe what is unique to my approach on leading others is I rely heavily on character. Strategies can change, but my character won't. My leadership abilities are built and strengthened by my character.

The 244th is the Army Reserve's only aviation brigade, consisting of more than 2,700 Soldiers and 130 aircraft, spanning from coast to coast in 13 states across 17 locations. To learn more about the 244th Aviation Brigade, visit www.facebook.com/244thAviationBrigade.