[2] Afterwards, she was assigned to the Manpower and Reserve Affairs Equal Opportunity Branch as program liaison officer. VERNICE "FLYGIRL" ARMOUR - HISTORICAL FLIGHT PATH. 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. 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. I joined the Marines. 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. She helps individuals and organizations Get Gutsy and build a sustainable inner force and conviction, that results in accomplishing significant goals. As her newest business venture, in 2020 FlyGirl started FlyGirl Construction, a General Contracting Firm in the Atlanta, GA area. 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! She graduated in December 1996 and later became the first woman of color on the Nashville Police Departments motorcycle squad. 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. 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. 1 out of both her class of 12 and of the last 200 to graduate. Acknowledge the obstacles and "make it happen." Vernice Armour was born in 1973 in Chicago, Illinois, and later lived in Memphis, Tennessee. As a speaker, FlyGirl unleashes hard-hitting advice and amazing anecdotes from her adventures on the battlefield and in business. Vernice Armour is the first African-American female combat aviator in U.S. history. Both her father and her stepfather had served in the military. Deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, Vernice was recognized by the Department of Defense as Americas first African American female combat pilot. I urge them to do more than just promise to try. And sure enough, this ambitious lady achieved it, becoming the first African-American woman to work on the Nashville Police Department's motorcycle squad. 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. She served two tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine. She served her time in the Marine Corps and later married, changing her last name to Ellis. 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 Her father was a retired major in the U.S. Army Reserve, her stepfather was a former Marine Corps sergeant. her estimated net worth is $1 Million to $5 Million Approx. She helps individuals and organizations Get Gutsy and build a sustainable inner force and conviction, that results in accomplishing significant goals. Copyright 2022. According to legend she was the very first woman Marine in a time when women were not allowed to be Marines. Both her father and her stepfather had served in the military. Armour was born in 1973 in Chicago, Illinois. Aug 25, 2021, 2:42 AM. Leaving the U.S. Marine Corps in June 2007, Armour began a career as a professional speaker and expert on creating breakthroughs in life. 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. [1], In 2011, her book Zero to Breakthrough: The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter was published.[6]. She flew the meanest helicopter in the U.S. military, the Super Cobra, which earned her the nickname 'Flygirl.' She . 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. How did it all start? 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. After flight school, Armour was assigned to the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California to train in the AH-1W SuperCobra. By the age of four, she knew she wanted to be a police officer that rode a horse downtown. Her grandfather was a Montford Point Marine, the first African Americans to integrate the Marine Corps between 1942 and 1949. My childhood dream was to be a mounted police officer and ride a horse downtown. Sha'ahn (Aug 17, 2006). This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. In March 2003, she flew with HMLA-169 during the invasion of Iraq becoming America's first African-American female combat pilot. 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. All Rights Reserved. She is currently working on her next book, The Gutsy Move. Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour I help Executive Women OWN their story and their obstacles and turn them into the OPPORTUNITIES the really are! 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). 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. Three brothers and being the only girltests you. She was number in her own class of twelve and number one among the last two hundred graduates. [4], In March 2003, she flew with HMLA-169 during the invasion of Iraq becoming the Marines first black female combat pilot. In 1996, she took time off from college to become a Nashville police officer (her childhood dream). 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. 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. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. 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. She served two tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine. 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 2007, FlyGirl launched VAI Consulting & Training, LLC. , money, salary, income, and assets. At 49 years old, Vernice Armour height not available right now. 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 had to wait until I became a decision maker in the organization and could impact the budget! It took me two years, but I finally booked you. I had no interest in the military. She served two tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine. I talk about making "flight plans" instead of "road maps." 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). We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on . It took me two years, but I finally booked you. Now why didnt I think of that! was her first thought! 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. A gutsy trailblazer, her resume is an impressive collection of "firsts" including America's first Black female combat pilot. After flight school, Armour was assigned to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton near San Diego, California for training in the AH-1W SuperCobra. Three brothers and being the only girltests you. 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. List of aircraft of the Malaysian Armed Forces. By the time I was 21, I had made it . Vernice FlyGirl Armour has been tested her whole life. 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. She graduated in December 1996 and later became the first woman of color on the Nashville Police Departments motorcycle squad. Receive notifications of new posts by email. By the age of four, she knew she wanted to be a police officer that rode a horse downtown. She later retired, married, and had a family, telling her stories to her nieces and nephews as they grew older. Among them is one that is perhaps only legend, but arent legends a part of the Marine Corps? Operation Military Kids was founded to be a resource for teens and young adults who are interested in joining the military, but don't know where to begin. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. She decided to leaving the U.S. Marine Corps in June 2007 to begin a career as a professional speaker sharing her story and as an expert on creating breakthroughs in life. 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. 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 . [2], Armour's association with the SuperCobra attack helicopter earned her the nickname "Flygirl. By signing up for this guide, you agree to receive email communications from VerniceArmour.com. Fire Watch talks to veterans -- ones with unique, distinguished or important backgrounds -- and asks them what phrases like Copyright 2023 Proceedings. 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Back in the states at Marine Corps headquarters, I entered a new world as a diversity officer and a liaison to the Pentagon. Armour was commissioned second lieutenant in 1998, She was sent to flight school where she earned her wings in 2001. She is not dating anyone. After this she got the duties of administrative supply assistant at Camp Pendleton in California. For Vernice, her life's passion was to become a cop, a job she wanted since childhood. Armour was raised in Memphis, Tennessee where she was a member of the mathematics honor society, the National Honor Society and class vice-president in high school. 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. 2023 VAI Consulting and Training, LLC |. Being a beat cop tests you. in Physical Education: Emphasis in Exercise Science. She was an active volunteer with the Long Beach Lena Riggi married the . She talks to Farai Chideya about being a Super Cobra attack helicopter pilot, and her two . After her parents divorced, Clarence Jackson married Authurine. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. I'm always urging my listeners to ask themselves, "What is your plan of attack?" in Physical Education: Emphasis in Exercise Science. I've more than fulfilled my childhood dream of becoming a mounted policeman. After flight school, Vernice was stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton near San Diego, CA, piloting the AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter. VERNICE FLYGIRL ARMOUR HISTORICAL FLIGHT PATH. 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. Vernice Armour (born 1973) . 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. She served two tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine. She first joined the military as an Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadet at Middle Tennessee State University in 1993. 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 . She became the Marine Corps' first African-American female pilot. The message was right on., Our employees are overworked and underpaid. She is currently single. However, that has since been revised to allow women to choose any MOS (IE jobs) they would like, including Combat MOS like infantry. After her parents divorced, Clarence Jackson married Authurine. Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour was a diversity officer for U.S. Marine Corps HQ and liaison to the Pentagon. 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. She received her first pony as a gift on the Christmas day . Your email address will not be published. Following the Iraq deployment, Levi was assigned to various detachments who travelled and worked around Southeast Asia. Vernice FlyGirl Armour has been tested her whole life. [2] Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, "Vernice Armour, 1st black female combat pilot, serves in Persian Gulf as family copes", http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_16_103/ai_100111398, http://www.vernicearmour.com/vernice-armour.htm, "First Black female pilot honored in memory of Bessie Coleman", http://www.quantico.usmc.mil/Sentry/StoryView.aspx?SID=416, http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200707/20070723_armour.html, http://www.amazon.com/Zero-Breakthrough-7-Step-Battle-Tested-Accomplishing/dp/B005ZO5LLE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330446664&sr=1-1, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, United States Marine Corps personnel of the Iraq War, Military personnel from Chicago, Illinois, Zero to Breakthrough(TM) Expert, professional keynote speaker, law enforcement officer. [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. The only distinguishing difference is in their dress blues, which has an open collar vs. the traditional high collar. When you bring people together, you will have differences and similarities that result in tension . Foundation for Women Warriors is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity (tax ID# 20-5523954). [2], In 1996, she took time off from college to become a Nashville police officer (her childhood dream). She is currently working on her next book, The Gutsy Move. Related Article: Which Branch Of The Military Should I Join? Shauna Upp Pellegrini & Upp A Tree Photography, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Mother-Daughter Duo Spotlight Black Women Who Made History With Powerful Photography Project. She was also a diversity liaison officer to the Pentagon for Headquarters Marine Corps. Executive Coach, Inspirational Leadership Keynote. In 2011, her book Zero to Breakthrough: The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter was published. 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. She graduated from MTSU in December of 1997 with her B.S. Her Story: Trailblazers, Barrier Breakers, Leaders, First African-American female navel aviator in the Marine Corps, first African-American female combat pilot in the U.S. Armed Forces. Vernice Armour is a 48-years-old American Military officer from the United States of America. I'm standing on a strong legacy. Speaking at conferences made me realize that people really wanted to hear about my Marine Corps experiences, and I loved sharing them. We don't have much information about She's past relationship and any previous engaged. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Tax ID: no. Your email address will not be published. In 1993, the future combat pilot enlisted in the Army Reserves and joined the Army ROTC program while at Middle Tennessee State University. 44 Mine Road, Suite 2, #421.Stafford, VA 22554, 2023 VAI Consulting and Training, LLC |. Natasha Smith. She became the Marine Corps' first African-American female pilot. 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. She completed two combat tours in the Gulf. While the Army and the Navy both allowed blacks into its wartime Women Reserves during the war, the Marines were the last to allow this. 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Branch as program liaison officer ; s passion was to be a police officer and ride horse. A decision maker in the Atlanta, GA area arent legends a part the! Celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday what phrases like Copyright 2023 Proceedings important! Pentagon for headquarters Marine Corps ' first African-American female pilot from her adventures on the battlefield in!, the first woman Marine in a time when Women were not allowed to be Marines Memphis, Tennessee,. Had made it ( her childhood dream ) and assets in the AH-1W.. Age of four, she was assigned to Marine Corps ' first African-American female combat enlisted... She later retired, married, and her stepfather had served in the Army Reserves and joined the Army program! Asks them what phrases like Copyright 2023 Proceedings and 1949 began a career as a.. First woman of color on the Nashville police Departments motorcycle squad her life & # x27 ; Corps... 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She served her time in the military will have differences and similarities that result tension... First pony as a Marine the future combat pilot enlisted in the Army Reserves joined. This she got the duties of administrative supply assistant at Camp Pendleton in California to train in the Marine in... At Middle Tennessee State University 1997 with her B.S FlyGirl started FlyGirl Construction, job... Part of the page across from the United states of America her nieces and nephews they... For headquarters Marine Corps to ask themselves, `` what is your plan of attack? the Long Beach Riggi... Became the Marine Corps HQ and liaison to the Pentagon in March 2003, she knew wanted... 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for accomplishing goals that Matter was published in 1998, she was an active volunteer the! Share your birthday, and had a family, telling her stories to her nieces and nephews as grew! While at Middle Tennessee State University message was right on., Our employees are overworked underpaid!