Major Strides

The United States Army Drill Sergeant School is one of the Army's most prestigious training centers. It's here that nearly 2,000 soldiers per year endure a rigorous training program that transforms them from soldiers to hardcore drill instructors. Now, for the first time in its existence, this elite school is being manned by a woman.

See also: Retired soldiers return to duty.

Meet Command Sergeant Major Teresa King. At almost 50-years-old and with over 30 years of service to the U.S. Army under her belt, this tough-as-nails leader is conquering one of the greatest obstacles of her career: the gender barrier.  King was on the brink of retirement when she was asked to lead the drill sergeant school, a call to duty she couldn't resist. But if you ask her what role gender played in her success, she'll say, "It matters not your gender or who you are on the outside, but what you bring to the table. It's based on merit, on your performance in the army and how well you train and lead people. And so I think that's the reason behind my selection."

My Generation falls in with this real-life G.I. Jane to get a first class look at her historical work.