Miss USA 2016 is an Army officer
Deshauna Barber, the newly crowned Miss USA, is a 26-year-old Army officer from the District of Columbia who gave perhaps the strongest answer of the night when asked about women in combat.
The first-ever military member to win Miss USA stated: "As a woman in the United States Army, I think ... we are just as tough as men. As a commander of my unit, I'm powerful, I am dedicated," adding "Gender does not limit us in the United States."
In this photo, Deshauna Barber of the District of Columbia celebrates with other contestants after being crowned Miss USA during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, June 5, 2016.
Miss USA Deshauna Barber
Miss District of Columbia Deshauna Barber, a 26-year-old lieutenant, leaves the stage after being crowned Miss USA 2016 in Las Vegas, June 5, 2016.
Barber said she plans to use the pageant's spotlight and her title to support veteran's causes and tackle the issue of suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder among military members.
Barber plans to take a break from the Army Reserves and had already discussed with superiors the possibility of going inactive for a couple of years should she win the title. She said she currently serves two days per month.
Miss USA Deshauna Barber
Deshauna Barber (C) of the District of Columbia poses with other contestants after being crowned Miss USA 2016 in Las Vegas, June 5, 2016.
Miss USA Deshauna Barber
Deshauna Barber of the District of Columbia reacts as she is crowned Miss USA in Las Vegas, June 5, 2016.
Miss USA Deshauna Barber
Miss District of Columbia Deshauna Barber (L) reacts after being named Miss USA 2016 in Las Vegas, June 5, 2016.
Deshauna Barber & Chelsea Hardin
Deshauna Barber (left) of the District of Columbia reacts with first runner-up Chelsea Hardin of Hawaii after being announced as Miss USA 2016 in Las Vegas, June 5, 2016.
Miss Hawaii, who came in second Sunday night, punted during the question-and-answer segment when asked who she would vote for among the likely presidential candidates, Trump or Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Hardin acknowledged that there was no way to correctly answer the question during the beauty pageant. The question was framed with Clinton's likely status of being the first woman nominated by a major political party in the race for the White House. The 24-year-old college student from Honolulu responded that gender doesn't matter when deciding the next commander in chief.
Deshauna Barber
Deshauna Barber of the District of Columbia (R) responds to a judge's question with Miss USA co-hosts Julianne Hough (C) and Terrence "J" Jenkins in Las Vegas, June 5, 2016.
Deshauna Barber
Deshauna Barber of the District of Columbia (R) celebrates next to Miss Alabama Peyton Brown as she is named one of the final three contestants in Las Vegas, June 5, 2016.
Emanii Davis. Chelsea Hardin, Deshauna Barber
The final three contestants Miss Georgia Emanii Davis (L), Miss Hawaii Chelsea Hardin (C) and Miss District of Columbia Deshauna Barber are shown on stage during the 2016 Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas, June 5, 2016.
Miss District of Columbia Deshauna Barber
Miss District of Columbia Deshauna Barber poses during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, June 5, 2016. Barber was later crowned Miss USA 2016.
Chris Young
Country music singer Chris Young performs during the 2016 Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas, June 5, 2016.
Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys perform at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, June 5, 2016.
Terrence "J" Jenkins & Julianne Hough
Miss USA co-hosts Terrence "J" Jenkins (L) and Julianne Hough are shown onstage with contestants during the 2016 Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas, June 5, 2016.