The DC Divas women’s football team has a strong contingent of active-duty and veteran service members on the roster.
Learn more about some of these amazing team members in our Camouflage to Cleats campaign.
DC Divas standout running back and linebacker Carrie Hall served in the U.S. Navy as an operations specialist. Hall, who is from Canton, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University, now works as a cybersecurity analyst. She is in her second season with the Divas.
Octavia carsonDC Divas defensive back Octavia Carson served in the U.S. Navy as an airman apprentice on an aircraft carrier. She received honors during training for maintaining high grades, volunteering and taking on leadership roles. Carson, who is from Pontiac, Michigan, and graduated from Central Michigan University, now works as an employment law attorney. She is in her first season with the Divas.
DC Divas defensive end Zekia Perry served in the U.S. Navy for eight years as a hospital corpsman, with deployments to Cuba and Bahrain. Perry, who is from Washington, D.C., now works as a sales representative. She is in her second season with the Divas.
Shellise Epps-kangaleeDC Divas strong safety Shellise Epps-Kangalee has served in the U.S. Air Force for 23 years and is a Master Sergeant. Epps-Kangalee is from Washington, D.C., and graduated from North Carolina Central University. She deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve. She is in her second season with the Divas.
Vonetta goodenDC Divas strong safety Vonetta Gooden has served 19 years in the U.S. Army and is a Sergeant First Class and battalion master driver. Gooden is from Los Angeles and graduated Arizona State University. In addition to deployments to Afghanistan and Qatar, she also deployed twice to Kuwait. She is in her first season with the Divas.
DC Divas defensive end Brandy Peat has served 12 years in the U.S. Army Reserves. A Staff Sergeant, she is a transportation management coordinator and served two deployments to Kuwait and one to Germany. Peat, who is from Newport News, Virginia, and graduated from Bowie State University, now works as an IT technician. She is in her third season with the Divas.
DC Divas defensive end Gabrielle Fleming is a native of Grambling, Louisiana, and a graduate of Grambling State University and Louisiana Tech University. With more than 10 years of service within the U.S. Army Reserve, she is an expert Finance and Comptroller Officer who has earned the rank of Major. Major Fleming’s interest in STEM simultaneously influenced her civilian life and led her to a career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation as an electronics technician. Balancing two careers, a family, and extracurricular endeavors, Major Fleming has competed in four seasons of professional women’s tackle football; two with the DC Divas. Because of her prowess as a defensive end and overall athletic abilities, Major Fleming has been recognized as a Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) All-American each of the four seasons.
Trishana thomasDC Divas offensive lineman Trishana Thomas, has served in the U.S. Air Force since 2013. A major, she is a cyberspace operations officer and her service includes a deployment to South Korea. Thomas, who is from Chicago, is a graduate of Howard University, and is in her second season with the Divas.
Kevin LewisDC Divas co-defensive coordinator Kevin Lewis, who is from Forestville, Md., is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and served six years in the Navy. A lieutenant, he was a surface warfare officer and was deployed to the Mediterranean.
Ron PrimmDC Divas General Manager and Assistant Head Coach Ron Primm served 23 years in the U.S. Army, where he worked in logistics and held the rank of Master Sergeant. Primm, who is in his fifth season with the Divas, is from Columbia, Tennessee, and attended Trident University International. He works as a government contractor.
