Sarasota Marine breaks barriers

A Sarasota native and Pine View graduate recently became the first woman to hold a field officer billet for the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division.

Navy Lt. Cmdr. Shannon Stout was promoted to battalion medical officer, also called the battalion surgeon, Sept.13. at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

According to a Marine Corps report, Stout attended the University of North Carolina Wilmington and decided to join the Navy in 2000. Stout said the Sept. 11, terrorist attacks, which occurred while she was applying to medical school, solidified her desire to serve in the military.

Stout has been with Tanks for more than one year as the battalion surgeon and hopes to use her new position to mentor female medical officers as they increasingly take on roles in ground combat units.

Contact Nolan Peterson at [email protected]