Armour has been awarded the Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. In 1998, Armour became the first African-American woman to serve a a police officer in Tempe, Arizona before becoming an Officer Candidate for the U.S. Marine Corps. I've more than fulfilled my childhood dream of becoming a mounted policeman. 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. Being a beat cop tests you. After her parents divorced, Clarence Jackson married Authurine. 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. Armour earned her wings in July 2001 becoming the Marine Corps first black female pilot. Leaving the U.S. Marine Corps in June 2007, Armour began a career as a professional speaker and expert on creating breakthroughs in life. Vernice was born in Chicago, IL in 1973, and moved to Memphis, TN after her parents divorced when she was three. What clients are saying. We all have obstacles in life, I tell them. As her newest business venture, in 2020 FlyGirl started FlyGirl Construction, a General Contracting Firm in the Atlanta, GA area. 2023 VAI Consulting and Training, LLC |. We don't have much information about She's past relationship and any previous engaged. Vernice Armours income source is mostly from being a successful . I joined the Marines. After her parents divorced, Clarence Jackson married Authurine. 1 out of both her class of 12 and of the last 200 to graduate. She plays . You know, the trailblazers, whether it was the male, female, black or white, the pilots or infantry, . 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. The uniforms for female Marines are relatively similar to those of their male counterparts. I urge them to do more than just promise to try. 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 . 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). [2] I earned my wings in 2001 -- the first Black female aviator in the Corps. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. 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. She later married, thereby changing her last name to Gilliard, and has recently passed away due to illness on July 4, 2002. 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. [1][3], Armour graduated from MTSU in 1997. Kimberly Jones quietly took on a new job aboard a new ship. A gutsy trailblazer, her resume is an impressive collection of "firsts" including America's first Black woman combat pilot. 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. Following the Iraq deployment, Levi was assigned to various detachments who travelled and worked around Southeast Asia. She talks to Farai Chideya about being a Super Cobra attack helicopter pilot, and her two . She became the first female African-American on the motorcycle squad. By the age of four, she knew she wanted to be a police officer that rode a horse downtown. Your email address will not be published. Restaurants are saluting Veterans Day with free meals and discounts for veterans, service members and their families. "[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. Though there are no records of anyone like her and no undisputable proof that Lucy Brewer really existed, she has still earned her place as a legend. Both her father and her stepfather had served in the military. 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. 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. 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 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. 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. We flew close air-support and convoy escorts in AH-1W SuperCobras, spending the night at forward operating bases in hostile territory. 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. So, how much is Vernice Armour worth at the age of 49 years old? 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], In 2011, her book Zero to Breakthrough: The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter was published.[6]. For Vernice, her life's passion was to become a cop, a job she wanted since childhood. In 1996, she took time off from college to become a Nashville police officer (her childhood dream). During my. 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. VERNICE ARMOUR: My thoughts on those that came before is I'm standing on their shoulders. I had no interest in the military. I start my lectures wearing a flight suit and end it in a business suit. Back in those days most places would separate blacks from whites and this made some things complicated. [1] Afterwards, she was assigned to the Manpower and Reserve Affairs Equal Opportunity Branch as program liaison officer. After completing two tours in Iraq and leaving the military, Armour began a career as a professional speaker and book author. I called the Marine recruiter and told him I wanted to become a combat pilot. 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. Being a beat cop tests you. Vernice FlyGirl Armour has been tested her whole life. She is a keynote speaker, leadership. However, she took a break from college to follow her childhood dream of becoming a police officer. Learn How rich is She in this year and how She spends money? 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. Acknowledge the obstacles. Armour was commissioned second lieutenant in 1998, She was sent to flight school where she earned her wings in 2001. 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. 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. 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. I view myself as a professional speaker and consultant. Three brothers and being the only girltests you. 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. She helps individuals and organizations Get Gutsy and build a sustainable inner force and conviction, that results in accomplishing significant goals. 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. Executive Coach, Inspirational Leadership Keynote. 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. When Vernice finally earned her wings in July 2001, the ambitious pilot . When the Marine Corps Reserve allowed women to join, she was the very first one in line to enlist on August 13, 1918. 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. 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. A gutsy trailblazer, her resume is an impressive collection of firsts including Americas first Black female combat pilot. In March 2003, Armour became Americas first female African-American combat pilot during the invasion of Iraq. She became the first female African-American on the motorcycle squad. 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. She served two tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine. She earned her wings in July of 2001, not only the top of her class of twelve, but also the top of the two hundred others who were graduating, making her not only the first African-American female naval aviator in the Marine Corps, but also the first African-American female combat pilot in the U.S. Armed Forces. Acknowledge the obstacles and "make it happen." It took me two years, but I finally booked you. After flight school, Armour was assigned to the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California to train in the AH-1W SuperCobra. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! In my work with these clients, I pass along the values and techniques that I learned and honed in the Corps. Speaking at conferences made me realize that people really wanted to hear about my Marine Corps experiences, and I loved sharing them. List of aircraft of the Malaysian Armed Forces. 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. She completed two combat tours in the Gulf. She translates those lessons for audiences, drawing from her . In 2011, her book Zero to Breakthrough: The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter was published. Obstacles are opportunities. By signing up for this guide, you agree to receive email communications from VerniceArmour.com. Vernice Armour has a long list of accomplishments that put her on this list today. As a speaker, FlyGirl unleashes hard-hitting advice and amazing anecdotes from her adventures on the battlefield and in business. When she completed her four-year enlistment, she returned to Puerto Rico where she worked for an airline company. Who is Devon Lee Carlson? 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. 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 . ASVAB Scores For Air Force Jobs: All 130+ For 2022, How To Choose The Right Military Branch For You. [1], In March 2003, she flew with HMLA-169 during the invasion of Iraq becoming America's first African-American female combat pilot. Her grandfather was a Montford Point Marine, the first African Americans to integrate the Marine Corps between 1942 and 1949. [3] We understand the obstacles and unique challenges women veterans face and are here to assist you. She is known for Fly Like a Girl (2019), Combat-Helicopter Pilot Rates 8 Helicopter Scenes in Movies and TV (2021) and Tavis Smiley (2004). 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. She helps individuals and organizations Get Gutsy and build a sustainable inner force and conviction, that results in accomplishing significant goals. After her parents divorced, Clarence Jackson married Authurine. She served her time in the Marine Corps and later married, changing her last name to Ellis. It helps make the point. [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. I'm sure that what I learned in the military will always stay with me. Armour graduated from MTSU in 1997. 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. 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. 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