www.VerniceArmour.com You HAVE permission to Engage! I talk about making "flight plans" instead of "road maps." [2], In 1993, while a student at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Armour enlisted in the Army Reserves and later the Army ROTC. In 2011, Ander, Meet Master Sgt. 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. [1], In 2011, her book Zero to Breakthrough: The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter was published.[6]. Vernice, who had little money for school and relied on student loans and grants, was all over it. After flight school, Armour was assigned to the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California to train in the AH-1W SuperCobra. Both her father and her stepfather had served in the military. The first women to join the Marines are all recorded in history, but there are a few other firsts for women that we are about to look at as well. Armour graduated from MTSU in 1997. Born in Puerto Rico, Rose Franco was a famous female Marine because she became the first Hispanic woman to make it to the rank of chief warrant officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. She is currently working on her next book, The Gutsy Move. Vernice FlyGirl Armour has been tested her whole life. She later retired, married, and had a family, telling her stories to her nieces and nephews as they grew older. [1], Armour was born in 1973 in Chicago, Illinois to Gaston Armour Jr. and Authurine Armour. 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. Vernice Armour was born in 1973 in Chicago, Illinois to Gaston Armour Jr. and Authurine Armour. 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! Notice, I didn't put the emphasis on permission, but on HAVE. Vernice was born in Chicago, IL in 1973, and moved to Memphis, TN after her parents divorced when she was three. Among them is one that is perhaps only legend, but arent legends a part of the Marine Corps? She received her first pony as a gift on the Christmas day . She was number in her own class of twelve and number one among the last two hundred graduates. Leaving the U.S. Marine Corps in June 2007, Armour began a career as a professional speaker and expert on creating breakthroughs in life. She was also a diversity liaison officer to the Pentagon for Headquarters Marine Corps. She became the Marine Corps' first African-American female pilot. 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. 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. 44 Mine Road, Suite 2, #421.Stafford, VA 22554, 2023 VAI Consulting and Training, LLC |. Fire Watch talks to veterans -- ones with unique, distinguished or important backgrounds -- and asks them what phrases like Copyright 2023 Proceedings. Three brothers and being the only girltests you. her estimated net worth is $1 Million to $5 Million Approx. She first joined the military as an Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadet at Middle Tennessee State University in 1993. After her parents divorced, Clarence Jackson married Authurine. 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. She graduated in December 1996 and later became the first woman of color on the Nashville Police Departments motorcycle squad. [4], 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. By the age of four, she knew she wanted to be a police officer that rode a horse downtown. During ROTC leadership training in New Orleans, I saw a Black woman pilot wearing an Army flight suit. 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. 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. In 2011, her book Zero to Breakthrough: The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter was published. [2] Afterwards, she was assigned to the Manpower and Reserve Affairs Equal Opportunity Branch as program liaison officer. She began to work in the Pentagon, holding various positions of importance until she retired in 1977 with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3, after which she returned home to Puerto Rico. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox. Her grandfather, too, was a Marine. In 1996, Armour fulfilled a childhood dream to become a police officer and became the first female African-American member of the motorcycle squad in Nashville, Tennessee. From there she went almost straight to a dramatics school and from there to Broadway where she made her mark on the world as a famous actress. 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. Vernice FlyGirl Armours story has been featured in the media including on CNN, MSNBC, The View, FOX News, Oprah Winfrey and many more, along with being a running back for the San Diego Sunfire professional womens football team and two-time title holder of Camp Pendletons Strongest Warrior Competition. Private Lucille McClarren was the first woman to take advantage of this, transferring over from the Army to become the first enlisted female Marine that very day. Both her father and her stepfather had served in the military - Gaston Armour was a retired major in the U.S. Army Reserves, and Clarence Jackson was a former Marine Corps sergeant that served three tours in Vietnam. Afterwards, she was assigned to the Manpower and Reserve Affairs Equal Opportunity Branch as program liaison officer. Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour has been tested her whole life. Vernice Armours income source is mostly from being a successful . Vernice Armour was born in 1973 in Chicago, Illinois, and later lived in Memphis, Tennessee. You can unsubscribe at any time. 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. During an Army ROTC career day, the seed of becoming a pilot was planted when Vernice saw the image of a young Black female in an Army flight suit. Vernice FlyGirl Armours story has been featured in the media including on CNN, MSNBC, The View, FOX News, Oprah Winfrey and many more, along with being a running back for the San Diego Sunfire professional womens football team and two-time title holder of Camp Pendletons Strongest Warrior Competition. Also learn how She earned most of networth at the age of 47 years old? [1], 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. Making History While Serving. "Why didn't I think of that?" Staff Sergeant Barbara Olive Barnwell makes this list as the first female Marine to be awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. It is perhaps more due to her fame as an actress than for any great deeds she did in the Marines that put her on this list, though as one of the first women to join the Marines she helped to pave the way for women after her. I had to wait until I became a decision maker in the organization and could impact the budget! Vernice found hers in college while studying at Middle Tennessee State University: a flyer posted on a bulletin board that said, Free Trip to Mardi Gras! Her grandfather was a Montford Point Marine, the first African Americans to integrate the Marine Corps between 1942 and 1949. 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. In 1993, the future combat pilot enlisted in the Army Reserves and joined the Army ROTC program while at Middle Tennessee State University. All Rights Reserved. While at Camp Pendleton, she was named 2001 Camp Pendleton Female Athlete of the Year, twice won the Camp's annual Strongest Warrior Competition, and was a running back for the San Diego Sunfire women's football team. Vernice Armour was born on 1973 in Chicago, Illinois, United States, is a United States Marine Corps pilot. Vernice Armour has a long list of accomplishments that put her on this list today. When she retired in 1945, she was a Lieutenant Colonel and the Womens Reserve had over 15,000 women enlisted and over 800 officers. Vernice was born in Chicago, IL in 1973, and moved to Memphis, TN after her parents divorced when she was three. I urge them to do more than just promise to try. In 2011, her book Zero to Breakthrough: The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter was published. 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. Three brothers and being the only girltests you. The name of Lucy Brewer will perhaps forever be shrouded in doubt. After her parents divorced, Clarence Jackson married Authurine. 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. We understand the obstacles and unique challenges women veterans face and are here to assist you. So, how much is Vernice Armour worth at the age of 49 years old? Enjoy savings on dining, travel and more all year long with your AARP membership! . When her husband retired in 1986 they moved away from the military life and by the time Ruth died she had gotten to see the first four of their great-grandchildren. VERNICE FLYGIRL ARMOUR HISTORICAL FLIGHT PATH. She completed two combat tours in the Gulf. Before she joined the Marines, Opha Mae Johnson worked for the Interstate Commerce Commission. What is your job title?DirectorVPC-LevelOther (please specify below). In 2007, FlyGirl launched VAI Consulting & Training, LLC. Afterwards, she was assigned to the Manpower and Reserve Affairs Equal Opportunity Branch as program liaison officer. There is no challenge too big for former Marine Corps Captain Vernice Armour. 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. I'm sure that what I learned in the military will always stay with me. She became the first female African-American on the motorcycle squad. , money, salary, income, and assets. She says that while there were many hurdles in her journey to get there, having that umph made it . Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Anne Lamb and Annie Graham had to stand alone in their new position while the world adjusted to this new situation. She was an active volunteer with the Long Beach Lena Riggi married the . All rights reserved. I joined the Marines. After reviewing the presentations on your website, I knew our people would walk out the door with tangible tools they could utilize immediately and I was right!, What is your job title?DirectorVPC-LevelOther (please specify below). She was also a diversity liaison officer to the Pentagon for Headquarters Marine Corps. Ruth Cheney Streeter lived in New Jersey and was the first woman president of her countys welfare board. Related Article: Which Branch Of The Military Should I Join? 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. You've ALWAYS had permission and it's up to YOU to give it to yourself! 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. Upon leaving the military after the completion of two tours in Iraq, Vernice launched VAI Consulting and Training, LLC. 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. She was also a diversity liaison officer to the Pentagon for Headquarters Marine Corps. Required fields are marked *. Soon though, she had had enough of civilian life, so she rejoined the Marines, this time working in New York, then South Carolina. By the time I was 21, I had made it . Foundation for Women Warriors is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity (tax ID# 20-5523954). List of aircraft of the Malaysian Armed Forces. You can unsubscribe at any time. A gutsy trailblazer, her resume is an impressive collection of "firsts" including America's first Black female combat pilot. Black, gay, and a child of divorce, Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour learned this early. 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