In 2011, her book Zero to Breakthrough: The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter was published. VERNICE FLYGIRL ARMOUR HISTORICAL FLIGHT PATH. ASVAB Scores For Air Force Jobs: All 130+ For 2022, How To Choose The Right Military Branch For You. It took me two years, but I finally booked you. After this she got the duties of administrative supply assistant at Camp Pendleton in California. Earning her wings in July 2001, Armour was not only number one in her class of twelve, she was number one among the last two hundred graduates. In 1998, Armour became the first African American female to serve as a police officer in Tempe, Arizona. She became the first female African-American on the motorcycle squad. You can unsubscribe at any time. A gutsy trailblazer, her resume is an impressive collection of firsts including Americas first Black woman combat pilot. In 1991, she graduated from John Overton High School for Creative and Performing Arts where she was very active in the music program, class vice president, a member of Mu Alpha Theta (mathematics honor society), and The National Honor Society. Not sure ho, Meet Major General Marcia Anderson. This famous female Marine was on a little-known TV show called Golden Girls. Her grandfather, too, was a Marine. I talk about making "flight plans" instead of "road maps." It was an exhilarating -- and rewarding -- experience. Her family has a strong history of military service reaching back two generations, starting with her grandfather who served as a Montford Point Marine. I've more than fulfilled my childhood dream of becoming a mounted policeman. Before getting approval to shoot missiles as America's first Black female combat pilot, Vernice Armour, aka "FlyGirl," would wait to hear the words: "You have permission to engage, cleared hot." It's a message the former U.S. Marine Corps captain and author of "Zero to Breakthrough: The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals That Matter" encouraged attendees at . Afterwards, she was assigned to the Manpower and Reserve Affairs Equal Opportunity Branch as program liaison officer. I served two combat tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom -- eight months the first time and seven months the second -- and was recognized by the Defense Department for a second achievement: becoming the nation's first Black female combat pilot. When the Marine Corps Reserve allowed women to join, she was the very first one in line to enlist on August 13, 1918. Vernice Armour's net worth It helps make the point. By the age of four, she knew she wanted to be a police officer that rode a horse downtown. Raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Armour graduated from Overton High School, where she was a member of the mathematics honor society, the National Honor Society, and class vice-president. She was also a diversity liaison officer to the Pentagon for Headquarters Marine Corps. She served two tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine. She later married, thereby changing her last name to Gilliard, and has recently passed away due to illness on July 4, 2002. Salinas retired from the Marine Corps in 2012 after serving for 39 years and has since continued to stay active as the CEO of the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas. [1][3], Armour graduated from MTSU in 1997. She was also a diversity liaison officer to the Pentagon for Headquarters Marine Corps. However, that has since been revised to allow women to choose any MOS (IE jobs) they would like, including Combat MOS like infantry. By signing up for this guide, you agree to receive email communications from VerniceArmour.com. Vernice "Flygirl" Armour (born 1973) is a former United States Marine Corps officer who was the first African-American female naval aviator in the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps first female combat aviator. I'm certain that very few of the cops who rode horseback in my childhood days ever flew choppers in combat. According to legend she was the very first woman Marine in a time when women were not allowed to be Marines. Businesses are saluting Veterans Day with a host of discounts and freebies for veterans, service members and their families. Veterans Day is the perfect opportunity to attend events such as parades to learn about the importance of the Veterans Day Veterans Day is also a day where Americans can work with organizations that support the military, veterans and their families Military.com's top photos of the week, November 13 - November 18. As a gay, Black woman she brought valuable personal experience to her work, driving diversity policy for a 200,000 personnel organization. Through that work, she helps individuals and organizations make gutsy moves and create breakthrough results by applying her Zero to BreakthroughTM Success Model a mindset that helped to propel her career and kept her safe in air combat. "I saw you in person and couldn't wait to bring your high energy, high impact presentation in to my organization! Who is Devon Lee Carlson? You know, the trailblazers, whether it was the male, female, black or white, the pilots or infantry, . However, while in a ROTC leadership training she saw a black woman pilot wearing an Army flight suit which stuck in her mind. Vernice was born in Chicago, IL in 1973, and moved to Memphis, TN after her parents divorced when she was three. Copyright 2023 www.OperationMilitaryKids.org. Then in 1996, her last year of college, she took time off to become a Nashville police officer. She completed two combat tours in the Gulf. All Rights Reserved. At the end of the war, Johnson was one of those removed from active service, but she continued to make her mark as a clerk in the War Department until she retired in 1943. FREE GUIDE TO MAKE BOLD MOVES & BIG DECISIONS, The Gutsy Move: 5 Tips to Navigate Challenges and Achieve Your Visions and Dreams, I saw you in person and couldnt wait to bring your high energy, high impact presentation in to my organization! You can unsubscribe at any time. What clients are saying. She became the first female African-American on the motorcycle squad. [2][3], After flight school, Armour was assigned to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton near San Diego, California for training in the AH-1W SuperCobra. . She completed two combat tours in the Gulf. You clearly understood what our objectives were and worked collaboratively with our media team to setup the event and get the most out of the material and delivery. Bernice Aurthur is much better known today by her stage name of Bea Arthur, a name which is quite famous in acting circles and on Broadway stages. Armour discusses the accuracy of "Black Hawk Down" and "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier." She also analyzes the helicopter stunts in "Mission: Impossible Fallout" and "Spectre." Top editors give you the stories you . By the time I was 21, I had made it . In 1996, she took time off from college to become a Nashville police officer (her childhood dream). Her incredible journey - from police department to the Marines and becoming America's first Black female combat pilot - was filled with challenges, adventures, successes, and ultimate triumph. Afterwards, she was assigned to the Manpower and Reserve Affairs Equal Opportunity Branch as program liaison officer. As a Black gay woman and single mom, FlyGirl brings vital experience to her role as a member of the Forbes School of Business & Technology Board of Advisors and COMCAST/NBCUniversal Joint Diversity Council. Former combat-helicopter pilot Vernice Armour rates eight helicopter scenes in movies and TV shows. Foundation for Women Warriors is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity (tax ID# 20-5523954). Armour earned her wings in July 2001 becoming the Marine Corps first black female pilot. I'm immensely proud of having been able to serve my country, and thankful for having joined the Corps. Her father was a retired major in the U.S. Army Reserve, her stepfather was a former Marine Corps sergeant. Combat tests you. As a speaker, FlyGirl unleashes hard-hitting advice and amazing anecdotes from her adventures on the battlefield and in business. VerniceFlyGirlArmour @VerniceArmour Proud New Mommy,America's First African American Female Combat Pilot,Author, Vet, Inspirational Leadership Speaker,Biz Woman, #StayGutsy IG:VerniceFlyGirlArmour Atlanta, GA VerniceArmour.com Joined October 2008 4,836 Following 7,825 Followers Tweets Tweets & replies Media Likes Pinned Tweet VerniceFlyGirlArmour She served for three years without being detected and at the end of that time was honorably discharged, at which point she resumed her real name and attire, eventually settling down to married life. She now resides in Atlanta, GA with her daughter Noahher gutsiest move yet. Anne E. Lamb may not have been the very first black woman to enlist but, as the second black woman to enlist in the Marine Corps the day following Annie Graham, she was one of the first two black women to go into training. In 1993, while a student at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Armour enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve and later entered into the U.S. Army's ROTC. Her grandfather was a Montford Point Marine, the first . in Physical Education: Emphasis in Exercise Science. Vernice, who had little money for school and relied on student loans and grants, was all over it. FlyGirl regularly takes her message to premier meetings and conferences worldwide and is a Gutsy Confidence Mentor for elite senior executive Women in Tech. She was also a diversity liaison officer to the Pentagon for Headquarters Marine Corps. She is a keynote speaker, leadership. She made the Naval Air Stations prestigious Commodores List, received the Academic Achievement Award, was the top graduate in her class, and went on to make history as the Marine Corps first African American female pilot. Staff Sergeant Barbara Olive Barnwell makes this list as the first female Marine to be awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. She is currently working on her next book, The Gutsy Move. Commissioned a second lieutenant on December 12, 1998 Armour was sent to flight school at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas and later Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. How did it all start? She was ranked number one in her class and became the first female African-American pilot for the U.S. Marine Corps. She served two tours, flying air-supports and convoy escorts, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, often spending the night in enemy territory and returning to base with bullet holes in her helicopter. FlyGirl has two honorary doctorates and has received numerous awards as a pioneering pilot, including honors for her commanding role in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). [1][2], After flight school, Armour was assigned to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton near San Diego, California for training in the AH-1W SuperCobra. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Tax ID: no. In March 2003, she flew with HMLA-169 during the invasion of Iraq becoming America's first African-American female combat pilot. Though little is known about this last woman on our list today of famous women Marines, Ruth Wood has earned her place here as the first of the Women Marine Reservists to serve at the headquarters of the Marine Corps in Washington in 1943. She wanted to join the toughest outfit, so she called a Marine recruiter and told them she wanted to be a combat pilot, joining as an Officer Candidate in October 1998. We flew close air-support and convoy escorts in AH-1W SuperCobras, spending the night at forward operating bases in hostile territory. The uniforms for female Marines are relatively similar to those of their male counterparts. She received her first pony as a gift on the Christmas day following her fourth birthday and her dream quickly started to have a foundation in reality. While there she was Camp Pendletons Female Athlete of the Year and two-time titleholder in their Strongest Warrior Competition. She served two tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine. Kimberly Jones quietly took on a new job aboard a new ship. After her parents divorced, Clarence Jackson married Authurine. After her parents divorced, Clarence Jackson married Authurine. Armour graduated from MTSU in 1997. VERNICE "FLYGIRL" ARMOUR - HISTORICAL FLIGHT PATH. With the aviation seed in full bloom, Vernice was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps on December 12, 1998 and on her way to flight school. Women Warriors Alene Duerk, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy. Streeter became the first woman to become a Major in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943, and was also the first director of the Marine Corps Womens Reserve. My friends joke that I personify the old adage: "Once a Marine, Always a Marine." As the first of over seven hundred women, McClarren became the poster girl for the opportunity, modeling the uniform, and even speaking on a podium with Eleanor Roosevelt to encourage other women to join. Back in the states at Marine Corps headquarters, I entered a new world as a diversity officer and a liaison to the Pentagon. Like with everything else, however, there had to be a first and that first was Annie E. Graham. Earning her wings in July 2001, Armour was not only number one in her class of twelve, she was number one among the last two hundred graduates. 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