Stormie Bush just made women’s history.
Known locally as an assistant softball coach at ACC, she also has the distinction of having become the first female infantry non-commissioned officer in the Kansas Army National Guard.
It’s a landmark event that’s landed the 27-year-old on television and elsewhere in the limelight — often alongside video of her firing a 240 machine gun — but Bush takes it all in stride.
“I think it’s really cool to be seen as breaking that glass ceiling,” she said, “to be part of the front line of females going forward.”
And if you think Bush is out to prove something, you’re absolutely right.
“I don’t need any [bar] lowered for me,” she said. “I went out there ‘coz I want to do what they, [the men], do. That’s what I’m here to prove, to keep up with the best of ‘em.”
“A lot of people ask me if I get along with the guys, or if they’re apprehensive with me being around,” Bush added. “Maybe at first yes, because they’re not used to females being around, … But I’m a really laid-back person, and like to joke with the best of them.”
Women have been eligible to undertake infantry training since January 2016, but no Kansas guardswoman had passed the course until now.
Originally from Melvern, Bush graduated from Marais des Cygnes High School in 2012, then went on to play softball for Allen Community College and Tabor College. In both roles, she earned honors for her exemplary play in the outfield.
While at Tabor, Bush obtained a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education, with a concentration in strength and conditioning. She attended basic military training between her junior and senior year.
Transitioning from player to mentor, Bush first coached the Ruffnecks USSSA 18U Fastpitch team, then briefly returned to Tabor.
ACC soon called her back, however, and Bush found herself a Red Devil once more, having now made her mark at Allen the past four years.
Moving forward, in civilian life, she’d like to get her master’s degree in business/leadership and eventually become a head coach.
The military is ever-close to her heart, though, so Bush plans to continue climbing the ranks with the goal of one day working overseas.
“Being part of one of the biggest teams in the world, in the nation, I’m proud of that,” she said.
As for the two-week infantry course itself, Bush said “they did a lot of the physical tests at the beginning to weed people out.”
