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The enlistment of Private Dana Cathrine Crisostomo Tan, a new infantry recruit (11X) with a distinctive background in competitive cheerleading and modeling, has sparked controversy online. Critics, including veterans, have raised concerns about the decision to place her in a demanding combat role, questioning whether her recruiters adequately prepared her for the realities of infantry life.
Private Tan, a fashion and athletic model, originally from Maple Valley, Washington, spent 18 years in competitive cheerleading—a discipline that emphasizes physical fitness and teamwork.
After graduating from the University of Washington, where she pursued pre-law studies, Tan enlisted in the Army. She cited her family’s history of military service and her desire to gain field experience before transitioning to the 27D Paralegal Specialist role as motivations for joining.
While Tan’s unique background and aspirations have been celebrated by some, her enlistment has drawn significant criticism on social media. A video posted by her recruiter, Staff Sergeant Schirmer of Lynnwood, Washington, highlighting Tan’s accomplishments and goals, has been met with skepticism from veterans and service members.
The most praised comment was made by Travis and said, “She’s gonna be quite popular around the barracks.”
Another commenter, David, wrote, “Some recruiting officer really did this girl wrong coming up with this video. It will haunt her all of her days.”
Others echoed similar concerns, with one remarking, “Her recruiters failed her,” and another replying, “Yup. No way she’s gonna survive infantry.”
Tan has expressed ambitious goals, including earning Air Assault, Airborne, and Ranger tabs.
These certifications are among the most rigorous in the Army and require significant physical and mental endurance.
While her competitive cheerleading background has equipped her with a foundation of discipline, critics argue that her recruiter failed to adequately prepare her for the harsh transition from a civilian lifestyle to the rigorous demands of infantry service, as well as the complex social dynamics involved in mixed-gender combat units.
The controversy surrounding Tan’s enlistment raises questions about the role of recruiters and their responsibility in setting realistic expectations for new soldiers.
Critics argue that high-profile promotions of recruits with unconventional backgrounds may prioritize optics over practical readiness, potentially setting individuals up for failure in demanding roles.
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