The New York Times Interview:

War In The Gulf: Servicewomen; War Puts U.S. Servicewomen Closer Than Ever to Combat

Interview

With

Hattie G. Brown

By: BriAna Barksdale, Niece

Q1.  Why did you want to join the military?             

A1. l liked the excitement of it. I felt pride in knowing I was doing my part as
defending my country. I liked the entire packet of the military—traveling, meeting new people, exercise to stay fit, challenging myself, learning new skills, and seeing how well I could budget my money—are a few reasons I joined the military.

Q2. What career did you want to pursue after high school?

A2. As a young girl around nine years of age I wanted to be a now titled Flight Attendant. I was told I would never qualify because there was a height requirement. The height was five feet seven inches or higher and that wasn't me. In fact, I am the shortest in my family. I am five feet three and one forth inches. I always say I am five four.

Q3. What were your hobbies as a kid and have they changed?

A3. My favorite hobby is softball. I am not physically able to play softball, but I still enjoy the game. I enjoy experiment cooking and reading a good book.

Q4. How many years did you serve in service?

A4. Including my delayed entry, I served 18 years in service. I accepted the early-retirement option.

Q5. Why did you retire from the military?

A5.After serving in the Persian Gulf with the Patriot Unit, I started experiences a multitude of health issues. Not being able to perform as I was accustomed was quite depressed. I was facing medically discharged. By the grace of God my military occupation specialty (MOS) was offered early retirement.

Q6. If you didn't have to retire do you think you would still be in the military?

A6. Yes I do. I enjoyed what I did. I was a good supervisor, I was a good subordinate. I took pride in myself, my unit, and the army. I do believe the military has shifted toward the civilian side over the years. I felt as my health started to fail I could not perform at the level I should be. I wanted to be a First Sergeant, who is the soldier in charge of the Company and retire at the highest position as a Non-Commission Officer, Command Sergeant Major (CSM). I learned from my parents and the army that even though we set goals for ourselves, there are times things do not turn out as planned; therefore we have to have a "what if" or a “plan B" just in case this happens.

Q7. Any special places you wish you could have visited?

A7. My most desired place of visit is Egypt. I want to visit Alaska to experience the day light change and see the wild life up close and personal. I would like to visit Hawaii to see the beautiful beaches and learn about the native people culture.

Q8. What rank were you in service?

A8. I entered service as a Private, a person of no rank to the rank of E-7 (sergeant first class) in eleven years. There are only nine ranks for the enlisted to achieve.

Q9. What was it like growing up with so many siblings?

A9. One half of my brothers were grown and living on their own. The most I can remember in the household were around six children plus mom and dad. I did what my parents told me to do. I learned early that was the best way to stay out of trouble. Being a farmer's daughter was tough. There were the assigned choirs—gather the eggs, get in the wood (no electric stove) and milk the cow (after I finally learned) were just a few of the daily activities. Having lots of siblings I always had someone to play with. I learned to ride horses and play ball, climb trees and a lot of things I probably would not have learned if I did not come from a large family. I was one of those kids who wanted to do it if she saw you do it, and I would bug you until you showed me or until I learned it. I must admit I was not the smartest farmer’s daughter. I did not catch on to the farm world. It was difficult to tell the difference between wheat and barley, and the different tools. The animals did frighten me at first and I was too short to top tobacco. I use to break the plant when I bent it over to break the top bloom out as my brothers and sisters did. My dad would tell me to go home to be with my mom. I think I was doing more damage than good. Being with mom is where I learned to cook as well as I do. I will never cook as well as mom; but I do know I am the better cook of my two other sisters.

Q10. Did you go to college? What was the name?

A10. I did not attend college when I completed high school. I was happy high school was finally over. I did nothing for six months.  I hung out with mom in the house watching "soaps" and keeping house. I then attend trade school in Oak Ridge, Tennessee for six months as a Non-destructive Tester. It was the longest time I had been from home. I also discovered I could make it on my own. I accidentally landed a job as a shoe associate with Belk for one year. During this two year period I kept getting a strong desire to join the service. I could have enlisted for any of them, but I chose the Army. I felt the Marines were too manly, the Navy uniforms were ugly, and the Air Force was okay if you wanted to be a pilot. The Army was the one service that always comes to mind when people think war. While in service I started to go to college at night. I was not as dedicated as I could have been; however when I retired from service I had an associate degree in general studies. I am currently attending local college at Danville Community College (DCC) seeking my degree in Medical Coding and Terminology.

Q11. Did you like being the younger sibling out of twelve children?

A11.That's a yes and no answer. Yes because I had someone to help me do choirs around the house. There are times I will say no, because there was little privacy. My parents were the age of my piers grandparents. I receive wisdom and 'life's lessons" from them but not much play time.  I was spoiled for about five years because I thought I was the last of the children until mom had my baby brother who made the twelfth child. Mom was 47 and Dad was 52 at the time. I was difficult being the smallest and the shortest in the family. One thing about being one of the last children is that my parents had plenty of practice before they got to me.

Q12. Was it difficult being a woman in the military?

A12. I believe it is difficult for any woman when she seek a career that is predominantly dominated by men. I faced negative expectations, jealousy when I excelled beyond my male peers. It was extra hard for me in the military, as a woman of color we always have two things not in our favor. The two things we do not choose for ourselves, our complexion and our gender, are what we are judged the harshest for. I do hope as the world grow that this view is erased and for once we are promoted, evaluated, punished, and paid for our service and position we hold period.

Q13. Did you ever get awards in the military? If so what were they?

A13. I received many awards in service; to name a few, I earned the Drill Sergeant Badge, Airborne Badge. I was an Airborne Instructor in service, Air Assault Badge (the first female in my unit), Leadership awards, Special Skill Identifier Ribbons, Army good conduct medal, Parachutist, the National defense service medal, the Southwest Asia service medal with 3 bronze Service stars and the Kuwait Liberation medal. The most cherished awards were not the ones that were visible on the uniform I wore. When lower rank soldier came to me to ask a question or discuss a concern of theirs to me, and trusted me enough to talk to me was the highest aware felt there was. So all in all, I think I became a teacher after all, just not in the traditional way.

Website Powered by GCR Online