Behind the Uniform: Cadet Jamia Pettus

Cadet Jamia Pettus, a member of the 729th Quartermaster Company, 1297th Combat Service Support Battalion, helps register patients for COVID-19 tests at the mobile clinic at St. Mary’s County’s Health Department, Feb. 4, 2021. Originally enlisting into the Army Reserve in 2019, Pettus soon transitioned to the Maryland Army National Guard after initial entry training. While her mother had served in the Army, Pettus was unsure at first of her decision to join.

“I was terrified of the military [but] I wanted to go to college,” said Pettus. Joining the Maryland Army National Guard allowed her to explore her career interests while she attained her business degree at Morgan State University.

Pettus said she became interested in administration after her unit’s readiness noncommissioned officer helped her out. “She [my unit’s administrative leader] goes above and beyond for us [junior enlisted Soldiers]. So that’s something that is very admirable, and something that I would like to be a part of.”

The pandemic ended her civilian employment back in March 2020, claimed the life of her uncle, and infected some of her family members. While the ongoing mission may have interrupted Pettus’s university plan, the cadet appreciates the significance of her role with the COVID-19 testing efforts in Leonardtown, Maryland.

“It just really hit home for me,” said Pettus. “And I feel like if I do have the chance to help, I can […] encourage people to get tested.”

Following what the Army has taught her, Pettus is determined to make the most of her situation and is still on track to become a lieutenant in the Army.

“For me, it’s [also] a learning experience,” she said. “Because I know that one day, I’m going to be a leader. I’m going to have people following me, but how can I have someone following me [when] I’ve never seen anything?”

After taking a short break at the end of March to become licensed as a Medicare enrollment specialist, Pettus plans to return to duty to support Maryland’s COVID-19 response by providing direct support to county health departments in assisting with the acceleration of vaccination and COVID-19 testing efforts.