Capt. Domoniqué Hittner, commander, Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, passes the battery guidon during a change of command ceremony, Feb. 8, 2016. Hittner is the first female battery commander for a U.S. Army infantry brigade combat team. (Photo by Sgt. Nelson Robles)
By Sgt. Nelson Robles
2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
As the Army opens more military occupations to female Soldiers, many who previously hit career barriers have had new opportunities arise.
Capt. Domoniqué Hittner, commander, Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, became the division’s first female commander of a field artillery battery Feb. 8, 2016.
“When I saw what artillery did, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. When I chose that branch at Officer Candidate School, I had to sign a counseling statement that didn’t guarantee a field artillery position,” said Hittner. “From the time I joined, I never thought I would be a battery commander.”
Previously, female field artillery officers could only hold certain positions at certain duty locations.
“When I first came into field artillery, we were only allowed to be assigned to one of six fires brigades,” Hittner said. “When I got to my first unit (210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, in Korea), I was a battery executive officer for the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery of the brigade, because they couldn’t send me to the line.
Capt. Domoniqué Hittner, commander, Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and her husband, Capt. Nicholas Hittner, information synchronization and coordination officer, 4th Inf. Div., pose with their two daughters, Ava and Mia, Feb. 8, 2016. Hittner is the first female battery commander for a U.S. Army infantry brigade combat team. (Photo by Sgt. Nelson Robles)
“I was glad for the opportunity and was able to show that I was capable of doing the job just like all the other field artillery officers could,” she said.
With DOD lifting gender restrictions to all military service, more opportunities became available for women to serve in any unit.
“It’s exciting to be at Fort Carson, and I’m so grateful to everyone that I have met,” said Hittner. “There have been so many great leaders who have separated from the Army, and I wish they would have (stayed) around a few more years to see these changes and have the opportunities I have now.”
The recent change of command proved to be a welcome addition to the Soldiers of 2nd Bn., 77th FA Reg.
“We are pretty excited. It’s groundbreaking to see the first female field artillery battery commander in the division take the guidon today,” said Lt. Col. Neil Snyder, commander, 2nd Bn., 77th FA Reg. “We’re happy to get this right and move forward as a profession and let people do their jobs regardless of where they came from or what their gender is.”
Hittner said her education provides additional tools as a commander. She earned a bachelor’s degree in family and child sciences from Florida State University and worked as a pharmacy technician before earning a master’s in health care administration.
“I am very passionate about caring for people,” Hittner said. “With my command, I hope to bring positivity and hope. I feel from where I started to where I am now (that) anything is possible, and it’s awesome.”
Hittner said she loves her Family, being a mother and being a wife.
“Mothers can do anything; parents can do anything. You just have to keep working hard and supporting each other,” Hittner said. “Never sacrifice your dignity; always be yourself.”
Her husband, Capt. Nicholas Hittner, information synchronization and coordination officer, 4th Inf. Div., said it was an exciting day for the Family and the Army.
“Exciting not just because she is my wife, but because she is the right person for the job,” he said. “She is really doing a fantastic job, not only being a great officer and a great leader, but as well as being a great mother. She really demonstrates the ability to balance all those things.”