BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
CZECHIA — Kentucky National Guard Spc Brittni McCoy, a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Specialist assigned to 577th Sapper Company, recently traveled to Europe to participate in multinational NATO training exercises.
McCoy, the daughter of Dana and Charlotte McCoy of Martin County, joined the National Guard in 2012 as a 91C Utilities Repairer. She served in the 201st FSC and HHC units in Ashland for six years. In 2019, she joined the United States Army Reserve and served in the 7241st Medical Support Unit in Lexington before transferring back to the National Guard in 2023.
Each year, McCoy attends a two-week training. This year, she participated in the DEFENDER 24 exercise in the Czech Republic, the largest U.S. Army exercise in Europe, involving over 17,000 U.S. and 23,000 multinational service members from more than 20 allied and partner nations.
McCoy’s journey included stops in Maine, Ireland, Ostrava, Olomouc and Libavá, Czechia.
The 577th and other units worked closely with NATO partners for overseas deployment training. They conducted various field exercises with the Czech military, including demolition, combat and medical.
“It was a privilege to travel across the world and develop new relationships with soldiers that have a different way of life,” McCoy said. “It was interesting trying to navigate the language barriers and trying new foods that we don’t have in the States. The military has provided me with an abundance of benefits and opportunities for which I’ll forever be thankful.”
“Morale, Welfare and Recreational Day” allowed McCoy and her fellow soldiers to explore the city of Olomouc in the Czech Republic.
“The architecture was magnificent,” McCoy remarked. “It felt as if we were in a movie walking around the city.”
Apart from her military duties, McCoy has an extensive background in sports and education. She first showcased her athletic prowess at Sheldon Clark High School, where she graduated in 2008 as the school’s only 6-sport athlete. She competed in basketball, softball, volleyball, tennis, soccer, cross-country, and track, demonstrating her versatility.
McCoy continued her athletic and academic pursuits at Alice Lloyd College, where she played basketball, tennis, and volleyball for one season and softball for two seasons. Her commitment to sports and academics was evident as she graduated with honors, earning a bachelor’s degree in sports and fitness management.
Her educational journey did not stop there. McCoy furthered her qualifications by obtaining a master’s degree in teaching physical education from the University of the Cumberlands, graduating in 2020 with a 3.5 GPA. She also earned an associate degree with honors from Big Sandy Community & Technical College.
In addition to her academic achievements, McCoy has been an active sports official. She reports on sports for the Mountain Citizen in Inez and has officiated basketball, volleyball, soccer and softball games in various areas of Kentucky for about 14 years.
About DEFENDER
DEFENDER (Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness) is a U.S. European Command scheduled, U.S. Army Europe and Africa conducted exercise that consists of Saber Strike, Immediate Response and Swift Response. DEFENDER 24 is linked to NATO’s Steadfast Defender exercise and the Department of Defense’s Large Scale Global Exercise. Its allied and partner nations include Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.