4 • April 25 , 2021 • Morrison County Record • www . mcrecord . com • The Ripley Reporter

By Mr . Tony Housey Camp Ripley Public Affairs

March 8 , 2021 ( CAMP RIPLEY , Minnesota ) – We Celebrate International Women ’ s Day by recognizing Corporal Allyna Storms who , like many young Service-members , was on her way overseas March 8 , 2021 as her unit prepared for deployment .

Cpl . Storms joined the Minnesota National Guard in 2016 as a 92A logistics specialist where she served with Bravo Company , 134th Brigade Support Battalion . “ I chose to join the MNNG because my family has a heavy history of serving . I ’ ve wanted to serve since I was in 5th grade .”

Originally from Becker , Minnesota , Cpl . Storms excelled in her position and was able to take part in several events like the U . S . -Norway Reciprocal Troop Exchange ( NOREX ) in 2019 . While in Norway , she experienced winter operation in the mountains along with her fellow Guardsmen and the cultural interaction and camaraderie with her counterparts of the Norwegian Home Guard . All while maintaining the grades to graduate from Bemidji State in December 2020 with a B . A . In Psychology and Political Science and a B . S . in Criminal Justice .

“ On the civilian side , my goal is to one day work for the FBI as a field agent or as an Intel Analyst . As for the Guard , I anticipate doing my 20 years . I ’ ve learned a lot from my leaders , and I ’ m not going to let it go unused ,” said Storms .

Storms credits her thrill for the Guard and her inspiration for being a good leader to those strong female leaders who showed her the way from the beginning of her career .

“ At B Co . my section Sergeant , Sgt .

Kelsi Davis , and my first line leader , Sgt . Karli Athmann have all been the strongest female role models for me in the Guard . I think the biggest lesson / strength I ’ ve learned from them is how to take good care of my soldiers . I have a section of 9 including myself , and my first priority is always to make sure their needs are met . I learned that from those female NCOs before me .”

Accompanying Cpl . Storms on her first deployment is an 8 inch , half pound fuzzy teddy bear named Bumble . Bumble came as a surprise around her 22nd birthday this past September as a gift

Corporal Allyna Storms and Bumble the Bear who , like many young Service-members , will be on her way overseas March 8 , 2021 as her unit prepares for Deployment . ( Minnesota National Guard Photo by Mr . Tony Housey )

from her fiancé who is currently deployed overseas . He had roses delivered to her house and Bumble came with . Now , Bumble goes with Cpl . Storms everywhere to include overseas in the CENT- COM Area of Operation . “ He comes with because he feels like I have a big piece ( Continued on Page 5 )

On Camp Ripley Corporal Allyna Storms and Bumble the Bear who , like many young Service-members , was on her way overseas March 8 , 2021 , as her unit prepared for deployment . ( Minnesota National Guard Photo by Mr . Tony Housey )

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