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Miss DC Becomes Miss USA For First Time In 14 Years

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- For the first time in 14 years, Miss DC took home the crown at the Miss USA pageant. The winner, Deshauna Barber, is an Army reserve officer and her response about the role of women in the military is being called the moment she clinched the win.

Amy Yensi has more.

Almost immediately after Miss DC gave her answer, social media exploded with praise. Her candid answer is the reason many say she won.

Barber earned the coveted title of Miss USA. The 26-year-old from DC traded in her battle helmet for a crown Sunday night. She joined the military at 17 and is now an Army reserves logistics commander at Fort Meade. When asked if women in combat hurt the US military's performance, she didn't hold back.

"We are just as tough as men. As a commander of my unit, I am powerful. I am dedicated and it is important that we recognize that gender does not limit us in the United States Army," she said.

Kyleanne Hunter, a scholar and former Marine helicopter pilot, says the win is a victory for the armed forces.

"It was really a feather in the cap of the Army to have somebody who was so decisive, so well spoken and so poised," Hunter said.

Other contestants had trouble during their own interviews, a sharp contrast to Barber's commanding performance.

"She didn't flinch. She gave very direct answers. She was very strong in it. She backed it up with her own personal experience and those are the qualities that good military officers possess," said Hunter.

People we spoke to say Miss USA is a prime example that women can choose careers that show they are strong or that show their softer side. Women can do it all.

"I'm not in the business of telling women what they can and cannot do," said Peter Grier.

"I think it's amazing and I think she's totally right," said Nicole Rosson. "Women can do anything."

Barber will now take a break from the Army reserves to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. She's the first ever military member to win Miss USA.

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