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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Air Force Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
MSgt Rosemary Connolly U.S. Air Force (Ret) (1972-1995)
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE?
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| Me and my recruiters 1972 |
As children, we are pressured by the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" At some point in my youth, I saw a cardboard stand in the post office of a woman in the military. I wanted to be like that. When I finally had an answer to what I wanted to be, I was told that I might be too short for the requirements of 5'2" and put it out of my mind.
Later when I came of age, this requirement had changed. I took the exam for the Army. At the request of my sister, whose husband was in the Air Force, I was encouraged toward the Air Force. I found my recruiters very encouraging and their office was near the cafe that I was working at the time. We couldn't even start the paperwork until we were 18 and had to have our parents permission and five references.
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I was given a direct duty assignment (DDA) as a Supply Services Specialist after 6 weeks basic training to Barksdale AFB, LA in January 1973. It was rare to see an Airman Basic on an active duty base unless they were busted because most Airman got their first stripe during Technical Training. I was assigned to the base commissary. I really didn't like this job nor was I good as a cashier. Later the commissary career field (known as Supply Services Specialist) was contracted out.
I retrained into administration. I learned to type on an old typewriter with the lever carriage return. I helped with the NOTAMS on the flight line. I really liked this because I felt I was really in the Air Force as opposed to working in the commissary.
I will always remember the First Sergeant that made my retraining happen. He later gave me away at my wedding. I was administrative thereafter with a 4 year break for special duty as a Professional Military Training Instructor at Lowery AFB, CO.
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
I did not suffer the time like most but spent 6, non-consecutive weeks in Saudi Arabia with the Elf One Operations (part of the Cold War era) with 552nd Airborne Warning and Control Wing. For this I did get the Expeditionary Medal and an understanding of the environment
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| 963d AWACS NCOof the Quarter Oct - Dec 87 |
that those after me endured such as Desert Storm and OIF.
I had to wear the Abaya when going downtown and under escort by either a woman or two men. Once, the men were questioned by the Matowa (religious police with batons) about their relationship to me since I did not cover my head and had only the Abaya robe on in the old market. We were all cleared but they taught us a lesson on their customs.
Office work there was somewhat normal but some calls that I received I got hung up on. They may have been Saudi men expecting a male voice.
I had the opportunity given if caught up on my work that I took a night AWACS mission and rested on board so I could go right to work after landing. I got to see a night refueling from the cockpit that I'll never forget. How they do that is amazing.
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OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH ONE WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Wow, this is a tough question. I've always tried to make the most of any assignment I had and looked at the assignment as a life experience to be grasped.
I liked Barksdale AFB because it woke up a young naive girl to the real world seeing B-52s that were
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| AIRSOUTH change of command detail about 1992 |
returning from Vietnam.
I enjoyed RAF Mildenhall because it broadened my view of the world and made pictures of thicket fences and thatched roofs a reality. It also got me interested English in history and culture.
I enjoyed Ellsworth AFB, SD for the beauty of the Black Hills and I learned to respect Native Americans. Ellsworth started me on a path of professional development and desire to become a PME instructor.
I enjoyed Lowery AFB, CO for the challenges it gave me on the job. I recognized the need for joining military organizations such as the Air Force Sergeants Association and the support they provided our new leaders.
At Tinker AFB, well, I learned about tornado alley and the Bible Belt but moreover, I had a TDY to Riyad Saudi Arabia with AWACS.
Later, I really enjoyed working for NATO's AIRSOUTH despite the bad things I heard about Naples. My leadership skills were tested when I had to supervise those superior to me but belonged to non-leading nations in NATO, especially as a woman. I was here when Desert Storm went on and we feared it's impact if a NATO nation was attacked. I lived off base and hunkered down since I didn't know who was out there.
My last and shortest assignment was Air Defense Command at Los Angeles AFB, CA. Los Angeles AFB was a good transition base and top heavy in rank. Those that had my position before probably felt the same way based on the lack of record keeping and office visits required withing our unit. When I did files inspections with our sub unit secretaries, I was not met with defensiveness of performance but received a welcoming for guidance they had rarely seen.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE, INCLUDING COMBAT, DESCRIBE THE PERSONAL MEMORIES WHICH HAVE IMPACTED YOU MOST?
I remember my first trip on an airplane to Basic Training. When we landed, the TI separated the men and women while giving a peace of his mind on things to come. He also had training in etiquette by having one of the guys carry my bag.
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| My first plaque from the 513th Supply Sq Mildenhall England |
I was not used to these lady-like gestures.
My first time experience as a supervisor was NCOIC in the Orderly Room at RAF Mildenhall. One of my subordinates died. I was supervising a young airman who was really odd. She claimed to be of British background and spoke with an accent however her records didn't reveal this to be true. She was often late or AWOL. Numerous disciplinary actions were not strong enough for a discharge because the Air Force was going through a revamping phase. Where once you were discharged for such offences, they were now giving Airman a second and third chance. Well I completed the documents for another AWOL but it turned out she was later found dead in the female dorm's newly remodeled with a bath tub. We had previously looked in the dorms but the communal bath door was locked and obviously occupied and privacy left intact. We will never know if she had slipped and fell in the tub and drowned or if her mental status was indirectly the cause. For this reason, it is so important, even for responsible adults, to let someone know your plans and whereabouts so you do not end up alone in a gutter somewhere.
My husband and I began raising a family and our first son was born in England.
WHAT ACHIEVEMENT(S) ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
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| Retirement MSM |
The Air Force Meritorious Medal I received during my retirement ceremony 11/16/94. This was sent to my parents and I never saw it until my sister sent it to me today (5/21/15).
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR ANY OTHER MEMORABILIA, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH ARE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
I am appreciative of all my awards. The AFCM and AFAM helped me for promotion testing. The MSM was really my farewell gift for 22 years of service. However, after leaving and now as a veteran, I realize that it is the Air Force Expeditionary Medal from my short tour in Saudi Arabia that, in a small way, relates my experience to our past veterans and to our younger service members in the Global War on Terror. It is that ribbon that qualifies me for the VFW.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
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| Frank Connolly 1963 |
My late husband. We met in 1973 when he returned from a 3rd tour in Vietnam. He obviously impressed me enough for me to marry a man who was older than my by 14 years and wiser. I had to spend the rest of my life with him so I could learn more and grow.
PLEASE RECOUNT THE NAMES OF FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATION, AND WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.
I would like to make contact with Major Jan Joseph who paid my membership to the Women in Military Service Memorial (WIMSA). I have been in touch with Luz McCurdy, a brief roommate while I transitioned to retirement and had forwarded my family ahead to resettle.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
While deployed to Riyad, Saudi Arabia, there was a contest by MWR to guess the next rainfall. I wrote down my rotation date back to the states. I later learned that I won because there was a light rainfall. There was a T-Shirt for the prize but I never saw it because I was home. Others that were there from my unit later told me about the rain contest. It was ironic.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
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| December 2013 Retirement Ceremony from the State of Illinois |
After I got out of the service I finished college and got a job as a programmer (Information Services Specialist) with the State of Illinois. I retired from that position on January 1, 2014. I now spend my time with the many veterans organizations and as a tour guide at a local Lincoln Site here in Springfield, IL as well as Civil War reenacting.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I have been a life member of the Air Force Sergeants Association since 1980.
I am a life member of the American Legion Post 759, VFW Post 755, AmVets Post 61, Women's Overseas Service League, WIMSA, WAF Association, and the Catholic War Veterans Post 1916.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER?
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| TV Interview for Illinois Stories |
The military taught me to value team work which I missed transitioning into a dog-eat-dog union environment. I value accountability and responsibility in a culture that seems to want to kick the can to the next in line. To me, I see veterans will always be veterans and come together wherever they meet, but civilian retirees leave and literally leave coworkers behind them.
I was part of local segment on PBS's Illinois Stories about veterans and the New Berlin Veterans Memorial. It's on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqo31JhaMYU.
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
Young veterans, please don't let other veterans play a game that "my war era is better than your era". You signed a paper and swore to uphold the constitution just like they did. Those tail-end of the Cold War in 2002 ended up transitioning from peace to combat real quick. You prove you mean to live your life as a veteran by participating at your American Legion, VFW, etc.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
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| American Legion in Homecoming Parade 2014 |
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When I was a guardian for Honor Flight and interviewed a WWII veteran, Leonard Schwarz, in front of his family, I'll never forget the amazed, and proud look on his grandson's face as this Navy veteran told his story. I hope TogetherWeServed has the same impact. These questions forced me to reflect like a military checklist.
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TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who served in the US Military and convey how serving their Country has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like to participate in a future edition of Voices, or know someone who might be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
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For current and former serving Members of the United States Air Force, Army Air Corps, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard TogetherWeServed is a unique, feature-rich resource helping Airmen reconnect with lost Wingmen, share memories and tell their Air Force story.
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