Vernice Armour has a long list of accomplishments that put her on this list today. Leaving the U.S. Marine Corps in June 2007, Armour began a career as a professional speaker and expert on creating breakthroughs in life. After her parents divorced, Clarence Jackson married Authurine. Her father was a retired major in the U.S. Army Reserve, her stepfather was a former Marine Corps sergeant. Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour has been tested her whole life. My company, VAI Consulting and Training, LLC, in Stafford, Virginia, has a list of clients that includes banks, defense contractors, nonprofit organizations and even the Department of Defense. 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. When she finally worked her way up to Warrant Officer it was by the recommendation of the Secretary of the Navy himself and there were only ten other female Warrant Officers in the Marine Corps at that time. Williams, Lance Cpl. According to our Database, She has no children. She flew the AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopter in the 2003 invasion of Iraq and eventually served two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. However, she took a break from college to follow her childhood dream of becoming a police officer. You've ALWAYS had permission and it's up to YOU to give it to yourself! Making History While Serving. In 1996, she took time off from college to become a Nashville police officer (her childhood dream). Vernice Armour was born on 1973 in Chicago, Illinois, United States, is a United States Marine Corps pilot. She helps individuals and organizations Get Gutsy and build a sustainable inner force and conviction, that results in accomplishing significant goals. 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. She became the first female African-American on the motorcycle squad. Her grandfather was a Montford Point Marine, the first African Americans to integrate the Marine Corps between 1942 and 1949. Ruth Cheney Streeter lived in New Jersey and was the first woman president of her countys welfare board. Copyright 2023 www.OperationMilitaryKids.org. 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. USMC Tattoo Policy Changes For 2022 & 2022 (15 Things To Know), Marine FAST Teams: 5 Things You Need to Know, Top 20 Reasons To Join The Military (and 7 Reasons NOT To), Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM): 8 Things To Know, Army Achievement Medal (AAM): 6 Things To Know. Her first duties may have only been as a clerk, managing the records of the over three hundred other women that followed, but she was soon promoted to Sergeant in September of that year, making her the first woman to reach that rank and the highest ranking woman in the Marine Corps during her time there. Though not much is said as to the exact situation, we know that she was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal on August 7, 1953 when she saved a fellow Marine from drowning off the Atlantic Coast near the training facility at Camp Lejeune. When she retired in 1945, she was a Lieutenant Colonel and the Womens Reserve had over 15,000 women enlisted and over 800 officers. Do your finances keep you up at night? When the Marine Corps Reserve allowed women to join, she was the very first one in line to enlist on August 13, 1918. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. During ROTC leadership training in New Orleans, I saw a Black woman pilot wearing an Army flight suit. Please provide a few details regarding the upcoming event so that we can better assist you. Vernice 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 first African American female combat pilot in the U.S. Armed Forces. Her grandfather, too, was a Marine. Also learn how She earned most of networth at the age of 47 years old? In 1993, while attending Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Armour decided to enlist in the U.S. Army Reserve and later entered the U.S. Armys ROTC. As her newest business venture, in 2020 FlyGirl started FlyGirl Construction, a General Contracting Firm in the Atlanta, GA area. 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. She completed two combat tours in the Gulf. He is now a freelance writer and outdoor enthusiast who spends much of his year traveling between campsites around the country. While in 1918 women were allowed to take clerical positions in the Marine Corps to free up the men for fighting, it wasnt until February 13, 1943 that they officially opened for women enlistment. "[5], Leaving the U.S. Marine Corps in June 2007, Armour began a career as a professional speaker and expert on creating breakthroughs in life. After her parents divorced, Clarence Jackson married Authurine. her estimated net worth is $1 Million to $5 Million Approx. Both her father and her stepfather had served in the military. Discover Vernice Armour's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. She was also a diversity liaison officer to the Pentagon for Headquarters Marine Corps. Her grandfather was a Montford Point Marine, the first African Americans to integrate the Marine Corps between 1942 and 1949. In 1998, Armour became the first African American female to serve as a police officer in Tempe, Arizona. By the time I was 21, I had made it During my last year of college, I became a motorcycle cop, riding a steel horse. Far back in our nations history only men were allowed to be Marines. I'm immensely proud of having been able to serve my country, and thankful for having joined the Corps. She is currently working on her next book, The Gutsy Move. [2], In 1996, she took time off from college to become a Nashville police officer (her childhood dream). She flew the meanest helicopter in the U.S. military, the Super Cobra, which earned her the nickname 'Flygirl.' She . 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. [1][3], Armour graduated from MTSU in 1997. 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). The name of Lucy Brewer will perhaps forever be shrouded in doubt. The first African-American female naval aviator in the Marine Corps and America's first African American female combat pilot in the United States military. She was also a diversity liaison officer to the Pentagon for Headquarters Marine Corps. She says that while there were many hurdles in her journey to get there, having that umph made it . Vernice Armour: First Black Female Combat Pilot Proceedings My childhood dream was to be a mounted police officer and ride a horse downtown. 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. Armour was born in 1973 in Chicago, Illinois. In 1998, Armour became the first African American female to serve as a police officer in Tempe, Arizona before joining the U.S. Marines as an Officer Candidate in October 1998. All Rights Reserved. I'm sure that what I learned in the military will always stay with me. [] Read More. I called the Marine recruiter and told him I wanted to become a combat pilot. What changed my mind was a flier offering a free trip to the Mardi Gras for anyone who joined the Army ROTC women's rifle team. Both her father and her stepfather had served in the military - Gaston Armour was a retired major in the U.S. Army Reserve, and Clarence Jackson was a former Marine Corps sergeant that served three tours in Vietnam. When Vernice finally earned her wings in July 2001, the ambitious pilot . [1] Afterwards, she was assigned to the Manpower and Reserve Affairs Equal Opportunity Branch as program liaison officer. I joined the Marines. By the time I was 21, I had made it . She later retired, married, and had a family, telling her stories to her nieces and nephews as they grew older. Armour graduated from MTSU in 1997. Although both she and her commander knew the AARP salutes you for your service to our country with a special membership offer of up to 43% off. We don't have much information about She's past relationship and any previous engaged. Both her father and her stepfather had served in the military. First of all before she even joined the Marines she was the first African-American woman to be on the Nashville Police Motorcycle Squad, something which had apparently been a childhood dream of hers. VERNICE "FLYGIRL" ARMOUR - HISTORICAL FLIGHT PATH How did it all start? This famous female Marine was on a little-known TV show called Golden Girls. My stepdad had been a Marine, with three tours in Vietnam; my father had retired from the Army Reserve as a major; and in World War II, my grandfather was a Montford Point Marine -- a segregated unit that contained the first Black men in the Corps. Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour made history as the first Black woman aviator for the U.S. Marines, and also became the first Black woman combat pilot across the U.S. Armed Forces. Afterwards, she was assigned to the Manpower and Reserve Affairs Equal Opportunity Branch as program liaison officer. Vernice 'Flygirl' Armour, the first African American female combat pilot, stands in front of a helicopter. Vernice Armour is a 48-years-old American Military officer from the United States of America. The message was right on., Our employees are overworked and underpaid. [2][4], Armour graduated from MTSU in 1997. After her parents divorced, Clarence Jackson married Authurine. [2], Armour was born in 1973 in Chicago, Illinois to Gaston C. Armour Jr. and Authurine Armour. What is your job title?DirectorVPC-LevelOther (please specify below). After her military service, FlyGirlrevved up her careerin the private sector as an entrepreneur, consultant to business, and author ofZero to Breakthrough, The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, "First Black female pilot honored in memory of Bessie Coleman", "Vernice Armour, 1st black female combat pilot, serves in Persian Gulf as family copes", "Black Female Pilot Breaks Racial, Gender Barriers", "Zero to Breakthrough: The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter: Vernice Armour: Amazon.com: Books", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vernice_Armour&oldid=1088417067, African-American female military personnel, United States Marine Corps personnel of the Iraq War, Female United States Marine Corps personnel, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Zero to Breakthrough(TM) Expert, professional keynote speaker, law enforcement officer, This page was last edited on 17 May 2022, at 21:59. 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 she finished her career she was working as a Secretary in the Pentagon and was even working there during the Cuban Missile Crisis. "I saw you in person and couldn't wait to bring your high energy, high impact presentation in to my organization! [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. 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. Women Warriors Alene Duerk, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy. [1], In March 2003, she flew with HMLA-169 during the invasion of Iraq becoming America's first African-American female combat pilot. Armour was commissioned second lieutenant in 1998, She was sent to flight school where she earned her wings in 2001. 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. So in August 2007, I left the Corps to start my own firm, helping companies and organizations improve their leadership practices and bottom-line results. How did it all start? Gaston Armour was a retired major in the U.S. Army Reserve, and Clarence Jackson was a former Marine Corps sergeant that served three tours in Vietnam. She served two tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine. in Physical Education: Emphasis in Exercise Science. Back in the states at Marine Corps headquarters, I entered a new world as a diversity officer and a liaison to the Pentagon. Natasha Smith. Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour has been tested her whole life. She graduated from MTSU in December of 1997 with her B.S. A gutsy trailblazer, her resume is an impressive collection of firsts including Americas first Black female combat pilot. Vernice was born in Chicago, IL in 1973, and moved to Memphis, TN after her parents divorced when she was three. 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. As a speaker, FlyGirl unleashes hard-hitting advice and amazing anecdotes from her adventures on the battlefield and in business. 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. For Vernice, her life's passion was to become a cop, a job she wanted since childhood. On land, sea, and in the air, blacks have fought to protect our country. She was ranked number one in her class and became the first female African-American pilot for the U.S. Marine Corps. We flew close air-support and convoy escorts in AH-1W SuperCobras, spending the night at forward operating bases in hostile territory. Be sure to get the latest news about the U.S. military, as well as critical info about how to join and all the benefits of service. After her parents divorced, Clarence Jackson married Authurine. Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour is a former police officer and America's first African-American female combat pilot who completed two combat tours in the Gulf. 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! Camp Lejeune has fourteen miles of beaches and is located between two deep-water ports, which is why it is used for amphibious assault training and also why it is easy to picture someone drowning near there. I view myself as a professional speaker and consultant. Vernice flew above the deserts of Iraq in her missile-equipped attack helicopter, engaging the enemy and scouting the roads from her cockpit, making sure they were safe for her fellow Marines and soldiers on the ground. In March 2003, she flew with HMLA-169 during the invasion of Iraq becoming Americas first African-American female combat pilot. I talk about making "flight plans" instead of "road maps." Three brothers and being the only girltests you. 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. Anne Lamb and Annie Graham had to stand alone in their new position while the world adjusted to this new situation. Vernice Armour was born in 1973 in Chicago, Illinois, and later lived in Memphis, Tennessee. As the saying goes, she disguised herself in mens cloths and, giving herself the name George Baker, went undetected through the physical exams to become a member of the Marine guard on the vessel the Constitution. Here she saw some of the bloodiest sea fights of the war of 1812. racism, and I said people have tension all the time, whether you're married and you have an argument with your spouse or one of your friends, tension . She graduated from MTSU in December of 1997 with her B.S. After her military service, FlyGirlrevved up her careerin the private sector as an entrepreneur, consultant to business, and author ofZero to Breakthrough, The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter. I had to wait until I became a decision maker in the organization and could impact the budget! Salinas enlisted in May of 1974, starting off as a legal services clerk. He deployed to Iraq in 2008 where he convoyed heavily around the Anbar province with a myriad of units. ASVAB Scores For Air Force Jobs: All 130+ For 2022, How To Choose The Right Military Branch For You. 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. The year after she retired she was awarded the Legion of Merit for her work as director, and later she was awarded the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal as well. She graduated in December 1996 and later became the first woman of color on the Nashville Police Departments motorcycle squad. I had to wait until I became a decision maker in the organization and could impact the budget! Copyright 2022. VERNICE FLYGIRL ARMOUR HISTORICAL FLIGHT PATH. Thanks to Grahams example many other black women were able to join as well, including Annie Grimes, third to join and the first black woman officer to spend a full twenty years in service. Afterwards, she was assigned to the Manpower and Reserve Affairs Equal Opportunity Branch as program liaison officer. 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. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! 20-5523954. In September 1949, four years after Japans formal surrender, she enlisted and was very shortly afterward followed by Ann E. Lamb and the two went to boot camp together on September 10, 1949. It took me two years, but I finally booked you. While there she was Camp Pendletons Female Athlete of the Year and two-time titleholder in their Strongest Warrior Competition. Vernice 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 first African American female combat pilot in the U.S. Armed Forces. VERNICE ARMOUR: My thoughts on those that came before is I'm standing on their shoulders. Your email address will not be published. Now why didnt I think of that! was her first thought! She now resides in Atlanta, GA with her daughter Noahher gutsiest move yet. , money, salary, income, and assets. 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. Clarence Jackson married Authurine Departments motorcycle squad telling her stories to her nieces and nephews as they grew.... To be Marines resides in Atlanta, GA with her B.S now a freelance writer outdoor. 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