May-June 2021 - NCNGA Virtual Convention 4 NCNG Museum Spotlight 7 2022 Convention Announcement Back Cover - North Carolina National Guard Association
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May-June 2021
Official Publication of the North Carolina National Guard Association
NCNGA Virtual Convention 4 NCNG Museum Spotlight 7 2022 Convention Announcement Back Cover
TARHEEL GUARDSMAN
Official publication of the North Carolina National Guard Association
MAY/JUNE 2021 Volume 55 Number 3
Contents:
NCNGA Insured Members
We Remember 3
NCNGA Annual Convention Goes Virtual 4
— Has Your Child Aged Out
Guardsmen Supports COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic 5 of SSLI?
NCNG Museum Artifact Spotlight 7 If your child has recently turned
NCNG Survivors’ Outreach Fund 11 23 (25 if in college), please contact
Food Bank Honors NCNG Soldiers 12 Rhonda Mooring at 919-851-3390 ext.1
National Guard History Spotlight 14 or rhonda@ncnga.org and she will be
NCNGA 2022 Annual Convention Save the Date Back Cover glad to go over your policy and make
any necessary changes.
Officers Executive Council Executive Council
President
30th ABCT Meeting Dates:
Leo Scott Schnack
Charles Britt May 27, 2021, 3:00 pm
Vice President July 22, 2021, 3:00 pm
James McKee 130 MEB
th
October 21, 2021, 3:00 pm
Gregory Gebhardt
Jan 13, 2022, 12:00 pm
Co-Treasurer March 18, 2022, Convention
60th Troop Command
Jacqualynn (Jackie) Lallo
Chelsea Martinez LaShonda Johnson-Joyner
449th TAB Deadline for submitting
Secretary articles for the July/August issue
Bethany Barden
Larry Coleman of the Tarheel Guardsman:
113th Sustainment BDE
1 June 2021
Judge Advocate Daina Key
Russell B. Niemyer
JFHQ-NC
Chaplain Linda Horton Address changes or questions?
John C. Mozingo Contact us at
139th Regiment (CA) 919-851-3390
STAFF Mark Almond info@ncnga.org or www.ncnga.org
Air Guard
Executive Director Raveena Boler The Tarheel Guardsman, (ISSN 10618392) is published bi-monthly for the
Army and Air National Guard of North Carolina, by the North Carolina
Larry Coleman National Guard Association, 7410 Chapel Hill Road, Raleigh, NC 27607-5047.
Junior Council Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh, NC 27676-9651. POSTMASTER: Send
address changes to: Tarheel Guardsman, 7410 Chapel Hill Road, Raleigh,
Bradley Thompson NC 27607-5047.
Executive Assistant The Tarheel Guardsman is the official publication of the North Carolina
National Guard Association, a non-profit organization. The publication’s
Erin Jordan Active Associate Class mission is to promote the general welfare of the NCNGA, assist in increasing
John Brady the readiness of the NC Army and Air National Guard of North Carolina and
serve as a vehicle of expression for members of the National Guard.
Insurance Administrator Members receive the publication free with their membership. The annual
At Large subscription rate for non-members of the Association is $15.00. Please include
Rhonda Mooring your old address when requesting change of address.
Brad Colburn Deadline for submitted material to the Tarheel Guardsman is the 5th of the
month, two months preceding the calendar date of issue. Manuscripts and
Darryl Jordan photographs on subjects of general interest are invited. Unless otherwise
NCNGA Educational Marie Selzer
indicated, material may be reprinted provided credit is given to the Tarheel
Guardsman and the author where listed. Articles and photos will not be
Foundation Administrator returned, unless requested. (USPS 533-640)
Advertising is accepted. For details contact the Association headquarters.
Ken Tyndall Advertising, including political ads, published in this publication does not
represent the endorsement or approval of the North Carolina National
Guard Association.
Erin Jordan, Editor
Page 2 – Tarheel Guardsman — May/June 2021
We Remember...
We remember the following members or the family members of the NC National Guard Association or NC
National Guard Soldiers and Airmen that have passed away since our last magazine publication. Listed below are
those members (and non-members), spouses and dependent children that have recently passed away. If we have
missed someone, please contact Rhonda Mooring at rhonda@ncnga.org or 919-851-3390 ext 1.
Julian R. Sparrow Gaylon Harrington Maxine Lee Nathan Brown
Cary, NC Taylorsville, NC Spouse of Tryon, NC
July 25, 2021 January 25, 2021 Olin D. Lee March 1, 2021
Asheboro, NC
Walter R. Blevins Jesse L. Cox February 7, 2021 Robert E. Hannifin
North Wilkesboro, NC Goldsboro, NC Dallas, NC
October 13, 2020 January 26, 2021 George W. Coleman March 3, 2021
Goldsboro, NC
Sam Powell, Jr. Dwight S. Parsons February 9, 2021 Ricky A. McPherson
Macon, NC Boomer, NC Archdale, NC
November 12, 2020 January 26, 2021 Charles Hamilton, III March 5, 2021
Monroe, NC
Douglas B. Whitley Jerry Reed February 12, 2021 Bakhit Kourman
Wilson, NC Spouse of Winston Salam, NC
November 13, 2020 Jacqueline R. Reed James H. Moore March 6, 2021
Jenkinsville, SC Murphy, NC
Joseph W. Holland January 26, 2021 February 14, 2021 Van W. Sullivan
Wilmington, NC Charlotte, NC
December 1, 2020 Terrill Patron, Jr. Neil A. Oxendine March 6, 2021
Forest City, NC Lumberton, NC
Lawrence A. Sanders January 30, 2021 February 18, 2021 Paula Y. Pittard
Ferguson, NC Spouse of
December 15, 2020 Ben Thompson Charles E. Gibson Lee R. Pittard, Jr.
Fuquay-Varina, NC Gastonia, NC Butner, NC
Bonnie Roberts February 1, 2021 February 19, 2021 March 7, 2021
Spouse of
John T. Roberts Samuel R. Jordan Thomas C. Lawing Robert L. Burgin, Jr.
Creedmoor, NC Statesville, NC Waxhaw, NC Lake Wylie, SC
December 25, 2020 February 3, 2021 February 19, 2021 March 15, 2021
Robert W. Brawley Candice J. Stanley Roger G. VanDeBerg Roger A Hall
Statesville, NC Daughter of Wilmington, NC Lexington, NC
January 5, 2021 Charley B. Stanley, Jr. February 22, 2021 March 17, 2021
Sarah M. Forester Brenda M. Harris Dolores E. Price Colon Benson
Spouse of Spouse of Spouse of Wade, NC
James H. Forester James W. Harris Curtis H. Price March 24, 2021
Monroe, NC North Wilksboro, NC Bladenboro, NC
January 21, 2021 February 7, 2021 February 27, 2021 Ralph D. Powell
Belmont, NC
Frederick M. Cutler, Sr. Jamie Poythress March 25, 2021
Pinetown, NC Fayetteville, NC
January 22, 2021 March 1, 2021
www.ncnga.org Page 3 – Tarheel Guardsman — May/June 2021
NC National Guard Association Annual Convention
Goes Virtual By NCNGA Staff
NCNG, Major General Todd Hunt; Director of the Joint
Staff, Brigadier General Jeff Copeland; Chief of Staff – Air,
Brigadier General Allan Cecil; and the Senior Enlisted Leader
of Air, Command Chief Master Sergeant David Rodriguez.
Thank you for the role you played in making our virtual
Convention a success. Governor Roy Cooper, who could not
join us live, sent in an inspiring video message to be included
in the convention. Through Facebook Live Streaming,
we could easily keep track of questions and comments on
Facebook, and we could post the live stream to our Facebook
page after the Convention ended. If you were unable to
attend the live stream, check out our Facebook to watch the
video. Even though we are grateful that we were given the
opportunity to participate in and learn this new format but we
hope that next year can return to an in-person event.
F irst and foremost, we would like to thank everyone who
attended or later watched the recording of the 2021
Virtual NCNGA Convention. We are aware that this is not
the preferred method of communication, but we appreciate
your efforts to stick with us while we attempted to navigate
this new terrain. It was our job to research how we could
best present what is traditionally an in-person and social
event to an online audience. Alongside Executive Director
Larry Coleman, we worked to figure out how we could
stream a Microsoft Teams meeting to our Facebook page,
hoping that doing so would make it easily accessible to
anyone who wanted to join. Our research led us to a third-
party software that would allow us the convenience we were
looking for. We downloaded the software in late January
and began the process of conducting test runs. Each week,
we conducted one or two test runs, ensuring the software
worked as we wanted it to, and kept notes of feedback from
the test run attendees. Anytime we ran into a technical issue,
we researched ways to resolve it until we eventually felt
as though we had mastered the process. After a couple of
final runs, we were ready for the actual Convention. The
NCNGA staff, volunteers, and presenters were extremely
excited and nervous the morning of the Virtual Convention.
Despite some technical difficulties with the visuals, we feel
that the broadcast was overall successful.
We would like to give a special thanks to the presenters
who helped bring this project to life. They were very patient For more information reguarding the EANGUS
as they endured countless test runs as we tried to perfect Conference visit eangusconference.org
our craft. Executive Director, Larry Coleman; NCNGA
President, Scott Schnack; the Adjutant General of the
Page 4 – Tarheel Guardsman — May/June 2021
NC Guardsmen uses his Civilian Education while
Supporting COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
By Staff Sgt. Mary Junell
working towards his Master's degree in public administration
with a focus on Emergency Management. He attends the
online courses from the University of North Carolina
at Charlotte, while also activated as part of a COVID
Administrative Support Team, deployed to Edgecombe
County.
"I've been taking some data analysis classes, so I've been
looking at a lot of the data that we're collecting about our
vaccinations and trying to get a better insight into it," Kier
said.
Like many National Guardsmen, Kier was able to take his
civilian skills and apply them to his military duties, helping
the board of commissioners understand how to reach the
under-vaccinated communities in Edgecombe county.
"You just don't want to reach one area of the community,
you want to reach all areas of the community, and it gave us
the opportunity to do some outreach and figure out why we
were not reaching the minority communities," Lachapelle
said.
Edgecombe County is a majority-minority county where
Second Lt. Zachary Kier, a quartermaster officer with A Company,
approximately 60% of the population is black, and almost
230th Brigade Support Battalionstands in front of the Edgecombe
County Human Services building in Tarboro, North Carolina,
40% is white. Yet, when Kier looked at the data, those
March 4, 2021. numbers did not correlate to the demographics of people
receiving the vaccine.
W hen the Board of Commissioners in Edgecombe
County wanted to know who was receiving the
COVID-19 vaccine, Karen Lachapelle, the Public Health
"When we looked at the data, we saw that it was flipped,"
Kier said. "Out of all the people we had vaccinated, about
60% were white, and only 30% were black. So we're trying to
Director, gave the task to one of the North Carolina National figure out why we were not vaccinating at the correct rate of
Guard Soldiers supporting her team. what the county should be and what we could do about it, and
this was all driven by data."
Little did she know the length 2nd Lt. Zachary Kier would
go to ensure the board had an accurate picture of the data for The data Kier presented helped the local health department
the vaccine clinics in Edgecombe County. develop plans to reach those communities that are not getting
vaccinated.
"Not only did he look into the system and get the data,
he divided it up by zip code so we would know where we "Myself and another Soldier are working on some public
needed to target to give more vaccines," Lachapelle said. service announcements and radio advertisements to get out
"He also divided it up by race so we would know where we to certain zip codes and certain populations," Kier said.
needed to go." "Eventually, once we get some more vaccines and some more
assistance, we're going to start going out to some churches in
Kier, who serves as a quartermaster officer with A the black community and bring it right to them to make sure
Company, 230th Brigade Support Battalion, is currently people can get their shot if they want it."
www.ncnga.org Page 5 – Tarheel Guardsman — May/June 2021
The data Keir dealt with also affects how many vaccines
the county will receive the following week because vaccine
distribution is based on the information entered into North
Carolina's Covid Vaccination Management System.
Keir and his team have helped the Edgecombe County
Health Department give more than 200 vaccines a day by
taking over the data entry and registration processes. In turn
providing the nurses more time to give vaccines.
It's not a glamourous job, but Kier said he and his team
were happy to support the mission any way they can.
"This really is why I joined the Guard," Kier said. "In
the commercials, they don't show you sitting around doing
paperwork, but this is the important stuff; this is what lets
this pandemic end. Even if I play a very small part in ending
the pandemic, it's a great honor. At the end of the day, more
vaccines in more arms is what it boils down to."
Second Lt. Zachary Kier, a quartermaster officer with
A Company, 230th Brigade Support Battalion, checks a
patient's information while supporting a COVID-19 vaccine
clinic in Tarboro, North Carolina, March 4, 2021
Page 6 – Tarheel Guardsman — May/June 2021
NCNG Museum Artifact Spotlight: Major Martin R.
Wisely By Gary Spencer, Curator/Historian
North Carolina National Guard Meueum
eventually becoming Company C, 230th BSB.
Martin Robert Wisely was born in 1911 in Waynesboro,
Virginia. He received his doctorate in medicine from the
University of Virginia, sometime in the early 1930’s.
Shortly after his graduation, he moved to Edenton,
North Carolina and received a commission in the North
Carolina National Guard on October 20th, 1935. As a
First Lieutenant, he was assigned to Company F, 2nd
Battalion, 105th Medical Regiment, which had its armory
in his hometown. This unit was organized in 1922, by
Captain Murray P. Whichard, MD, as the 115th Ambulance
Company, and just like how things get shaken up even today,
was redesignated as Company F, 2/105 Medical Regiment
on 1937. It was yet again redesignated on February 24, 1938,
Major Martin R. Wisley’s gold Gruen pocket watch from the late
1930s, a beautiful addition to the North Carolina National Guard
Museum’s growing collection. The watch still keeps perfect time!
O ne of the many amazing objects in the NCNG
Museum’s growing collection has a unique history to
it. The object is a beautiful gold Gruen pocket watch from
the late 1930’s. It’s a beautiful timepiece, but how could
this possibly be significant? The reverse of the watch is
handsomely engraved “To Martin R Wisely, Captain, MC,
From the Men of Company D, 105th Medical Rgt, Feb. 16,
1942.” To most anyone, this would be simply a nice parting
gift from the “Joe’s” of his unit. But this is so much more! It
is a testament to a man that was not only loved by the men
he served, but one who was a gifted and talented leader.
Perhaps some of you have not heard of the 105th Medical
Regiment? The present day “Charlie Med.” Of the 230th
Brigade Support Battalion, can trace its proud lineage back
to this unit. The 105th was formed just before it was shipped
down to Texas in 1916 to support Brigadier General John J.
Pershing’s Punitive Expedition into Mexico to capture or kill Engraving on the back of Maj. Martin R. Wisley’s pocket watch. The
engraving reads, “To Martin R. Wisley, Captain, MC, From the Men
the murderous bandit Pancho Villa. The 105th served in both
of Company D, 105th Medical Rgt, Feb 16, 1942.”
World Wars with many honors, and was deactivated in 1974,
www.ncnga.org Page 7 – Tarheel Guardsman — May/June 2021
as Company D. (now, can you understand just how difficult
it is to keep our units’ lineages straight?) Side note: the
armory in Edenton was destroyed by what must have been a
crazy blizzard on March 2, 1937! Anyway, Major Whichard
would become the Chief Surgeon of the NCNG, and 1LT
Martin Wisely was placed in command of the unit on
February 28, 1938. Wisely must have been highly regarded
as a leader, because his second in command was a Captain!
The unit consisted of two officers, and 45 enlistedmen.
Martin Wisely was promoted to Captain on July 24, 1940,
and inducted into Federal Service under Presidential Order
ENDURING September 16, 1940. Early in 1942, the men of his company
learned that CPT Wisely was going to be transferred to
ALLEGIANCE. another unit, and proudly presented him the engraved pocket
watch as a token of their esteem for him. Captain Wisely
was promoted to the position of Battalion Surgeon for the
105th Engineer Battalion until September 14, 1942, when he
was again transferred to the 101st Airborne Division, “the
Screaming Eagles.”
Wisely was soon promoted to Major, assigned to the
Division Headquarter’s Medical Detachment. Fast-forward
to the dramatic first few days after D-Day in Normandy,
France.
“11 June 1944 the President of the United States of America
has awarded the Silver Star Medal to Major Martin R.
We owe our lives to Wisely, Medical Corps, United States Army, for gallantry
in action with the 101st Airborne Division in the vicinity of
the commitment of the Carentan, France 1944. On that date, while his organization
men and women in our was pinned down by intense enemy machine gun and mortar
fire, he, with complete disregard for his personal safety,
armed services who keep
moved in to the front lines, administering first aid and
us safe. Boeing is proud removing the wounded, thereby saving the lives of many
wounded Soldiers. The bravery and self-sacrifice displayed
to support the current
by Major Wisely’s extraordinary heroism and devotion
and former members of to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the
the military for devoting military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his
unit and the United States Army.”
their lives to the defense
of freedom. This was pretty typical of the Major. In an effort to keep
him out of the thick of things, and keep him alive so that
he could continue to save many more paratrooper’s lives,
Martin was promoted to the position of Regimental Surgeon
for the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment.
Now, fast-forward yet again to the Battle of the Bulge, and
the 101st Airborne’s defense of the key town of Bastogne.
During the German Army’s siege of this small town, the
501st Paratrooper Infantry Regiment’s aid station, located
in a bombed out chapel, became so overcrowded with both
American and German casualties, a second Aid Station
ALLEGIANCE_2.25x7.5_062420.indd 1 6/24/20 4:13 PM
Page 8 – Tarheel Guardsman — May/June 2021Major Martin R. Wisley and his wife Molly Medland in 1945.
was opened in the basement garage of a former Belgian surrounding Bastogne, and created a narrow pipeline through
Army barracks. This Aid Station was commanded by Major which more than forty ambulances came through to evacuate
Wisely. It was not an ideal location by any means. It had the most serious casualties. Some 260 seriously wounded
no latrine, and only one electric light. They relied on a field were evacuated that day, and by noon on December 28, all
kitchen, set up at one end, to feed the staff and patients. The 964 casualties had been evacuated.
staff consisted of Wisely, and battalion surgeons and medics
from artillery, anti-aircraft, engineer and tank destroyer units. Shortly after Major Wisely came home from the war
in 1945, he married Molly Medland. They had two sons,
On December 25, 1944, casualties kept mounting. Major and Martin Wisely opened a practice in his hometown of
Wisely was appalled by the deaths of men who could have Edenton, NC. Major Wisely came back to the North Carolina
been saved in properly equipped hospitals. Wisely decided to National Guard, but had to revert to his original rank of
try something different. Obtaining approval from Division, Captain. He served in our organization until April, 1953. Just
Major Wisely would make contact with the Germans and five years later, at the young age of 46, Martin Wisely died
propose a cease fire, in which they could evacuate the most of a heart attack in his home. He now rests in eternal peace,
badly wounded men through enemy lines to better equipped in the town of his birth, Waynesboro, Virginia. Major Martin
medical facilities. Driving a jeep, draped in a huge makeshift Wisely may be gone, but the North Carolina National Guard
red cross flag, Wisely crossed over into enemy lines at Museum promises to keep his memory alive.
noon on December 26, accompanied by a captured German
doctor who had been caring for more than 50 wounded
German prisoners. Making contact, the German Commander
promised an answer the next day. As fate would have it,
the proposed truce proved unnecessary. Third Army’s
4th Armored Division broke through the enemy’s lines
www.ncnga.org Page 9 – Tarheel Guardsman — May/June 2021Page 10 – Tarheel Guardsman — May/June 2021
North Carolina National Guard Survivor’s
Outreach Fund By NCNGSOF Staff
was established. Also known as NCNGSOF, this 501(c)
(3) organization serves as the funding instrument for future
Survivors’ Outreach Events. It was through the gracious
support of several board members from Wakefield Senior
Men’s Golf Association and Soldiers and Airmen Assistance
Fund who provided tremendous insight and knowledge
as to the establishment and creation of such a non-profit
organization. Operating in today’s social environment, the
organization recognized the need to add relevance to its
W hat began as a conversation between two senior
leaders and many North Carolina National Guard
staff members, soon became a reality. In September 2008,
purpose and thus the NCNGSOF website and Facebook page
were created. To add further transparency to the mission and
purpose of fund solicitation, registration of NCNGSOF was
the North Carolina National Guard held its first survivor established with Charity Navigator® and GuideStar®, two
outreach event at Sunset Beach, North Carolina. The organizations providing platforms for donors to make better
purpose of the event was to recognize and honor the Gold decisions about their charitable giving.
Star Family members of fallen North Carolina Army and
Air National Guardsmen who lost their lives while actively The mission of NCNGSOF is to provide support,
serving in the North Carolina National Guard. The event information, and services to NCNG surviving family
was successful in many respects, but what made it truly members, to conduct events and memorials in memory of
special was the opportunity to serve our Guard Families in their loved ones, and to encourage the public to honor and
such a meaningful way. remember our fallen heroes. We provide community support
to programs that reassure surviving family members that the
The Family Programs Director at that time, Diane Coffill, sacrifice of our fallen Soldiers and Airmen will be honored
the NC National Guard State Chaplain, Colonel (Ret) and never forgotten. In addition, we promote activities
Charles Morrison, and the NC National Guard State Casualty designed to foster a positive mental attitude and spirit of
Operations Officer, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Robert Boyette, camaraderie among the survivors.
unified their efforts and developed a meaningful two-day
program that provided essential information and activities Our purpose is simple, to serve the needs of North
to grieving spouses and their families. The following years Carolina National Guard surviving families. Our success is
saw a number of positive program changes as well as the solely dependent upon volunteers and donors who recognize
need to host the event in different regions of the state. With the importance of never forgetting the families of our fallen
the exception of 2020, the Survivors’ Outreach Event was Soldiers and Airmen.
conducted twelve years in a row; and we all know how 2020
impacted many of our lives. We at NCNGSOF are excited to be a part of our NC
National Guard community and look forward to the
In the early years (2008 – 2016), the Survivors’ Outreach opportunity to share our excitement with you. We are
Event saw tremendous support from volunteers and donors always seeking like-minded volunteers to help us serve the
such as David Laws, Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund, needs of our Surviving Family members and would love to
Wakefield Senior Men’s Golf Association, Patriot Military have you on the team. Email us at INFO@NCNGSOF.ORG
Family Foundation, American Red Cross, and the Veterans if you have a desire to volunteer and be a part of something
of Foreign War - Raleigh Chapter. Today, we continue bigger than all of us.
to maintain those same affiliations and have also garnered
support from The Nog Run Club, North Carolina National Visit us at www.ncngsof.org
Guard Association, MEDEVAC Finance, and many private Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/NCNGSOF
financial donors.
2017 brought significant change and North Carolina
National Guard Survivors’ Outreach Fund, Incorporated
www.ncnga.org Page 11 – Tarheel Guardsman — May/June 2021Food Bank Honors NC Guard Soldiers COVID-19
Relief Operations By Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan
N orth Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were
honored for their COVID-19 operations at a ceremony
held at the food bank’s campus in Fayetteville, North
Carolina, April 12, 2021.
Local leaders thanked them for their expertise and
dedication that enabled the food bank to 10 times more food
distributions during the pandemic than they typically do in an
average year.
“It is full circle, my family went to food banks growing
up, now I join the Guard and I can give back,” said North
Carolina Air National Guard Capt. Phanat Senesourinh, the
NCNG officer in charge of missions supporting the food
bank.
Since March 6, 2020, the NCNG food distribution support
provided 8.5 million meals, delivered 24.8 million pounds of
food and drive 252 thousand miles on mission.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North
From left, David Griffin, Director of Second Harvest Carolina hosted a ceremony honoring North Carolina
Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina, Rick National Guard Soldiers and Airmen their support of
Barber, pastor of Restoration Ministries, Capt. Phanat the food bank’s 2020 – 2021 COVID-19 operations
Senesourinh, a North Carolina Air National Guard at a ceremony held at the food bank’s campus in
COVID-19 relief leader (Below) Fayetteville, North Carolina, April 12, 2021. (Above)
Page 12 – Tarheel Guardsman — May/June 2021STOP
If you are retired from the National Guard or are a current National Guard member with
20 or more years or medically retired and you answer YES to any of the following questions. Please
contact your retirement services office at 984-664-7892 or come see us in JFHQ suite 1005.
Have you been recently divorced or married?
Have you recently had or adopted a child?
Have you recently lost a spouse?
www.ncnga.org Page 13 – Tarheel Guardsman — May/June 2021National Guard History Spotlight: North
Carolina’s First African American Female Combat
Engineer SPC Andrea N. Hall, 42A, 113th STB
Being the oldest of four siblings, my grandma’s first grandchild
of 28 grandkids, I decided to pave the way for them, it was never
about me.”
Describe what your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
entails.
“Basically, as a Combat Engineer, your job duties are to build
fighting positions, defensive positions, and floating or fixed
bridges; detect mines with mine detectors, clear paths of any
obstacles, install firing systems for demolition and place and
detonate explosives.”
Describe how you trained for your MOS? Where was training
located?
S PC Genae Roberson is a 12 Bravo Combat Engineer for
the 236th Brigade Engineer Battalion in Durham, North
Carolina. At just 30 years old, she holds the historical title
“First Fort Leonard Wood, MO weather hit different. Early
morning in formation just standing in the breezy cold was nothing
I was used to. I completed OSUT for BCT and AIT there as well.
in North Carolina military history. SPC Roberson is the first
Training was a combination of classroom lessons and practical
African American Female Combat Engineer for the state of
work out into the field. You have different phases you go through
North Carolina. Hailing from Williamston, NC, she adds
which are the Hammer phase (weeks 1-3) to where you get meet
another layer of history to Martin County. SPC Roberson
your drill sergeants, you’re taught what it means to be a soldier
shares about her experience in the Army National Guard.
and overcome obstacles to help build your confidence. Anvil phase
(weeks 4-6) was more of skill development and self-discipline.
Why did you join the Army? How long have you been in?
You learn more how to work as a team. My favorite was
“I joined the Army to be the first female in my family to marksmanship training and land navigation. Thirdly, the Forge
actually go through with it. I had already attended two years Phase (week 7-10) which was more on the individual tactical side.
and graduated from the Medical Arts School in Raleigh My favorite in this phase was the hand grenades but when we had
NC in 2014. I was blessed to get an Associate's Degree in to do the 12-mile ruck on a 6-to-8-mile hill, with what felt like 50
Medical Office Administration; however, it still didn't seem lb. dry weight in full gear and the sun’s blazing heat.”
to fit me. Due to hardships of life, it took me actually longer
to complete. I dropped out and came back and finished later. It sucked! My feet had blisters with bloody socks. Those hills
The day of graduation I realized that I only pursued the were suicide. That day was the worst that I've felt in the entire
degree only because it was something that my mom drilled training. I was one of the last to return but I was so determined not
in me that I should do for my future and I wanted her to be to fall out I did not care how long it took, how bad my body hurt
proud.” or how many tears I cried, I just kept moving my feet forward. I
completely put God first, quoted scriptures and remembered my
“I wanted to be different and challenge myself. I did not why.”
know anything about the military at all, I just wanted to learn
how to be more self-disciplined, learn leadership and to have You currently hold the title of being the first female Combat
a better standing in life. Many people say that they join for Engineer in NC. In addition, you are the first African
the money, college, benefits and all these things are true for American Female Combat Engineer in NC. What are your
me as well. But deeper than that, I joined to be an example thoughts on that? Does this surprise you?
to family that just because you’re from a small town and
“Heck yeah it surprises me! I was excited when I found out and
come from a poor background doesn't mean that gives you
still shocked that it's me of all people. I had no idea; it still blows
the excuse to not to want better and to be better for yourself.
my mind.”
Page 14 – Tarheel Guardsman — May/June 2021Can you provide some information about why we are only A Note from the Educational
recently seeing engineers in NC?
Foundation:
Well, according to Tom Merritt, “Women represent an under-
represented resource. If we can encourage more women to
enter engineering fields, we can begin to conquer the engineer
The North Carolina National Guard Association
shortage.” You must be willing to complete the training and
Educational Foundation would like to thank all who
have a “not back down from anything” mindset.
supported us by purchasing a Raffle ticket for the
Scholarship Fundraiser! We are pleased to announce
SPC Roberson not only serves our country within the ranks of
that the winner of the $2000.00 drawing is Juan
the Army National Guard she has also joined the ranks with
Espina of Charlotte, NC!! Congratulations to Juan!
women who have broken racial and gender barriers in military
The winner of the second prize of $100.00 is Steven
history including; Cathay Williams, the first African American
McRae of Durham. Congratulations Steven!
female to enlist in the United States Army, Harriet Pickens and
Frances Wills Thorpe, the first two African American female Your support over the years has allowed this
officers in the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency foundation to award over $1.5 million in scholarships
Service (WAVES), and Hazel Johnson-Brown, the 1979 Chief to our proud Guard and their families.
of the Army Nurse Corps and the first woman general.
Thank you so much!!
“No matter what you face in life or on the field, no matter how
hard it gets to carry the weight or how many tears you’ve cried,
keep moving your feet forward. You’ll get there and I promise
you, you’ll be better than when you started.” -Genae
www.ncnga.org Page 15 – Tarheel Guardsman — May/June 2021Tarheel Guardsman Periodicals
NC National Guard Assoc. U. S. Postage
7410 Chapel Hill Road PAID
Raleigh, NC 27607-5047 Raleigh, NC
How to reach us:
919-851-3390
info@ncnga.org
www.ncnga.org
facebook.com/NCNGA
Instagram @ncng_association
Save 2022 NCNGA Convention
the
Hotel Ballast Wilmington, NC
Date
March 18-19, 2022You can also read
