Amanda Heidenreiter
Jennifer Harris Memorial Fellow
Amanda was born in Seoul, South Korea in 1983 and was adopted when she 9 months old. Her father is a Nurse Practitioner and a retired LTC who served 25 years in the Army and her mother currently works for the federal government. Amanda has one younger sister.
Amanda grew up all over the world and lived in some very unique countries. Amanda lived in Germany, Korea, Hawaii, Texas, Indiana and Maryland and was able to travel to different countries while her father was stationed in Europe and Asia. Amanda calls Maryland her home because she has been there since 8th. grade.
Amanda graduated from Howard High school with 4 varsity letters in Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Cross Country and Soccer. She was in the National Honor Society, the National Art Honor Society, the Fundraising Committee and the International Club. Amanda was voted most outstanding female athlete for her graduating class and most outstanding female indoor track and field runner. Amanda received a BS in Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice with a minor in Military Science at Towson University. She participated in the Army ROTC program through Loyola College and was commissioned as a 2LT in the United States Army. She also ran Division I track and field and was a member of the billiards club.
Upon graduating and commissioning, Amanda was assigned to Fort Knox, Kentucky where she trained cadets at the Leadership Training Camp for approximately two months. Amanda headed to Fort Benning, Georgia where she had her Basic Officer Leadership Course II for seven weeks. At Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Amanda attended a Chemical Officer Basic Course for four months where her specialty training was in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Warfare. While there, Amanda participated in and received the Gold German Armed Forces Efficiency Badge. Towards the end of her time at Fort Leonard Wood, Amanda received orders for her first duty station at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
During March 2007, Amanda trained at Fort Polk, Louisiana and then returned to Fort Benning, Georgia for Airborne Training, where she received her Jump Wings. In June 2007, Amanda's unit deployed in support of OIF. Amanda was injured in July and September 2007. Amanda recovered from her injuries and retired from the Army December 2009 while at Walter Reed. Amanda was one of the first soldiers to participate in the Paws for Purple Hearts program, which started in February 2009.
Other awards Amanda has received are the Combat Action Badge, the Overseas Ribbon, the Iraqi Campaign Ribbon, and the War on Terrorism Ribbon.
Amanda is currently back in school pursuing her dream of becoming a Physician Assistant.
Amanda is completing her Fellowship in honor of Captain Jennifer J. Harris, USMC. On February 7, 2007 Jennifer was killed in action when the helicopter she was piloting was shot down by insurgents.
Amanda's Fellowship was made possible through partnership with the Travis Manion Foundation.
Read Amanda's thoughts on her Fellowship and service
Learn more about Mission Continues Fellowships
Our Mission:
To build an America where every returning veteran can serve again as a citizen leader, and where together we honor the fallen by living their values through service.
