Vernice "Flygirl" Armour 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. After her parents divorced, Clarence Jackson married Authurine. Enjoy savings on dining, travel and more all year long with your AARP membership! She first joined the military as an Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadet at Middle Tennessee State University in 1993. She is currently working on her next book, The Gutsy Move. Afterwards, she was assigned to the Manpower and Reserve Affairs Equal Opportunity Branch as program liaison officer. When Vernice finally earned her wings in July 2001, the ambitious pilot ranked No. Far back in our nations history only men were allowed to be Marines. Who is Devon Lee Carlson? On land, sea, and in the air, blacks have fought to protect our country. 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. In March 2003, she flew with HMLA-169 during the invasion of Iraq becoming Americas first African-American female combat pilot. She is the 81st He, A heartfelt thank you to the Green Foundation for, The Womens Bureau of the U.S. Department of Lab, Meet Joy Allen. She was number in her own class of twelve and number one among the last two hundred graduates. Former combat-helicopter pilot Vernice Armour rates eight helicopter scenes in movies and TV shows. First African-American female navel aviator in the Marine Corps, first African-American female combat pilot in the U.S. Armed Forces Armour was born in 1973 in Chicago, Illinois. In June of 1996, after a brief stint as a Nashville Sheriffs Department correctional officer, Vernice took a break from college to accept an invitation to the Nashville Police Academy. Restaurants are saluting Veterans Day with free meals and discounts for veterans, service members and their families. She is the first . 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 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. 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). [2], In 2011 her book Zero to Breakthrough: The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter was published.[5]. Armour earned her wings in July 2001 becoming the Marine Corps first black female pilot. Salinas enlisted in May of 1974, starting off as a legal services clerk. Which Branch Of The Military Should I Join? When she completed her four-year enlistment, she returned to Puerto Rico where she worked for an airline company. 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. She graduated in December 1996 and later became the first woman of color on the Nashville Police Departments motorcycle squad. I'm immensely proud of having been able to serve my country, and thankful for having joined the Corps. Your email address will not be published. She became the first female African-American on the motorcycle squad. Now why didnt I think of that! was her first thought! Soon that dream changed and she was entering the Marines with the goal of being a pilot. 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. Now retired from the Marines, Armour has not forgotten her training and started her own business and shares with others that Marine mentality.. 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. Following the Iraq deployment, Levi was assigned to various detachments who travelled and worked around Southeast Asia. Armour was born in 1973 in Chicago, Illinois to Gaston Armour Jr. and Authurine Armour. I'm sure that what I learned in the military will always stay with me. 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. In March 2003, she flew with HMLA-169 during the invasion of Iraq becoming America's first African-American female combat pilot. My childhood dream was to be a mounted police officer and ride a horse downtown. Life tests you. Both her father and her stepfather had served in the military. Up until 2012, female Marines were unable to serve in a combat role. Vernice was born in Chicago, IL in 1973, and moved to Memphis, TN after her parents divorced when she was three. Combat tests you. 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. I also realized that I couldn't give this my all and still provide what the Marines demanded, and deserved. [2], In 1996, she took time off from college to become a Nashville police officer (her childhood dream). Vernice 'Flygirl' Armour, the first African American female combat pilot, stands in front of a helicopter. A few months later, I decided that I could always be a cop, but I wouldn't always have the chance to fly. She was also a diversity liaison officer to the Pentagon for Headquarters Marine Corps. 20-5523954. 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We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on . Armour was born in 1973 in Chicago, Illinois. She helps individuals and organizations Get Gutsy and build a sustainable inner force and conviction, that results in accomplishing significant goals. 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. Her family has a strong history of military service reaching back two generations, starting with her grandfather who served as a Montford Point Marine. Vernice Armour has a long list of accomplishments that put her on this list today. 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. 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. Do your finances keep you up at night? She is currently working on her next book, The Gutsy Move. Acknowledge the obstacles and "make it happen." She was twenty-five years old when she became the first woman to receive the Medal, and though very little is known about her other than this, it is clear that she helped to pave the way for future women by helping them gain the respect of their fellow marines. Her father was a retired major in the U.S. Army Reserve, her stepfather was a former Marine Corps sergeant. I had to wait until I became a decision maker in the organization and could impact the budget! 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. She flew the meanest helicopter in the U.S. military, the Super Cobra, which earned her the nickname 'Flygirl.' She . 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. Her grandfather, too, was a Marine. 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! I earned my wings in 2001 -- the first Black female aviator in the Corps. A gutsy trailblazer, her resume is an impressive collection of "firsts" including America's first Black female combat pilot. However, while in a ROTC leadership training she saw a black woman pilot wearing an Army flight suit which stuck in her mind. By signing up for this guide, you agree to receive email communications from VerniceArmour.com. 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 graduated from MTSU in December of 1997 with her B.S. 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. Related Article: Which Branch Of The Military Should I Join? At 49 years old, Vernice Armour height not available right now. Vernice FlyGirl Armour has been tested her whole life. "[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. We all have obstacles in life, I tell them. After her parents divorced, Clarence Jackson married Authurine. VERNICE "FLYGIRL" ARMOUR - HISTORICAL FLIGHT PATH. I've more than fulfilled my childhood dream of becoming a mounted policeman. Vernice Armour was born in 1973 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. [2][4], Armour graduated from MTSU in 1997. 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. If anyone deserves to be on our list of famous women Marines it is Angela Salinas, the first Hispanic woman to rise to the rank of General. She was also a diversity liaison officer to the Pentagon for Headquarters Marine Corps. Life tests you. 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. [2] Military Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. In September of 1945 she was honorably discharged, by then holding the rank of Staff Sergeant. 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. 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. I joined the Marines. Kimberly Jones quietly took on a new job aboard a new ship. in Physical Education: Emphasis in Exercise Science. So, how much is Vernice Armour worth at the age of 49 years old? FlyGirl regularly takes her message to premier meetings and conferences worldwide and is a Gutsy Confidence Mentor for elite senior executive Women in Tech. 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. My friends joke that I personify the old adage: "Once a Marine, Always a Marine." "Do it," I say. It took me two years, but I finally booked 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. in Physical Education: Emphasis in Exercise Science. Answering the Call is a monthly series of short articles by prominent men and women discussing the impact of their time in the military on their later lives. During ROTC leadership training in New Orleans, I saw a Black woman pilot wearing an Army flight suit. 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. It helps make the point. I urge them to do more than just promise to try. List of aircraft of the Malaysian Armed Forces. We scour the universe for the best military travel and recreation discounts to celebrate veterans and Veterans Day. After her parents divorced, Clarence Jackson married Authurine. The uniforms for female Marines are relatively similar to those of their male counterparts. Natasha Smith. [2], Armour's association with the SuperCobra attack helicopter earned her the nickname "Flygirl. [1] Executive Coach, Inspirational Leadership Keynote. When the Marine Corps Reserve allowed women to join, she was the very first one in line to enlist on August 13, 1918. The only distinguishing difference is in their dress blues, which has an open collar vs. the traditional high collar. The name of Lucy Brewer will perhaps forever be shrouded in doubt. Obstacles are opportunities. 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 . Vernice Armours income source is mostly from being a successful . Please provide a few details regarding the upcoming event so that we can better assist you. 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. 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. Vernice Armour. When Vernice finally earned her wings in July 2001, the ambitious pilot ranked No. The Marine Corps points out the fact that physical examinations are very thorough and that the crew on the Constitution had little privacy at all. Her family has a strong history of military service reaching back two generations, starting with her grandfather who served as a Montford Point Marine. For Vernice, her life's passion was to become a cop, a job she wanted since childhood. Required fields are marked *. VERNICE ARMOUR: My thoughts on those that came before is I'm standing on their shoulders. You were as amazing and high energy as I remembered!, We were able to clearly preview your work and the potential it had in support of our meeting. [4], In March 2003, she flew with HMLA-169 during the invasion of Iraq becoming the Marines first black female combat pilot. You've ALWAYS had permission and it's up to YOU to give it to yourself! [1], In 2011, her book Zero to Breakthrough: The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter was published.[6]. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox. Vernice Armour was born in 1973 in Chicago, Illinois to Gaston Armour Jr. and Authurine Armour. 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. More all year long with your AARP membership around Southeast Asia 1945 she was also a liaison! Uniforms for female Marines were unable to serve my country, and in the organization and impact! Height not available right now promise to try delivered straight to your inbox Jackson married Authurine took on new. 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