I made history in 1985, when I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. It was family history, so you probably didn’t hear about it. My grandfather, my father, an uncle and several cousins are also veterans, but I am the first woman veteran in my family tree. I’m proud of my military heritage and that my service is part of our nation’s military history.
Of the nearly 500 military veterans working in the Portland District, 46 are women. Some are currently serving; some enlisted when women had limited career choices; others served at a time when women had to choose between service and motherhood. Women’s opportunities and options have grown over the years, including very recently when the Department of Defense opened some combat-related careers to women.
Here are four women veterans in the Portland District who served in different military branches, during different periods of women’s recent military history. Each has her own story and all are rightfully proud of their service to this nation.
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[FEATURED WOMEN IN MILITARY]
Tech. Sgt. Jaime Menagh, U.S. Air Force Reserve
Jaime enlisted in the Air Force in January 2001 and worked as an Aerospace Ground Equipment Mechanic. She left active duty in February 2007, enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in June 2009 and is an Aircraft Load Planner. One of her favorite service memories is when her younger brother, Phil, who was a freshman in high school when she enlisted and is now an Air Force captain, administered the oath of enlistment when she joined the Reserves.
Where were you stationed? Texas, New Mexico, Korea, Japan and Washington
Why did you choose to serve in the U.S. military? I joined the military to honor my family tradition of service and to earn education benefits through the G.I. Bill. I also wanted the priceless education which is learned in world travel, overcoming adversity and working side by side with people from different walks of life. I chose the Air Force based on the Air Force's focus on education and training, professionalism and equal opportunity.
What lessons did you take away from your service? I learned a lot of things, but one of the more valuable lessons is not to be afraid to ask for help if you get in over your head.
What about your service makes you most proud? I am proud to be someone who is reliable and knowledgeable in my field; someone others look to for answers.
What advice would you give your younger self, the one just entering the service? I would say "Jaime, take more math classes while they're free!"
Jaime has worked for the Portland District for three years and is the records coordinator in the Engineering and Construction Division, Technical Resources Branch.
Staff Sgt. (Retired) Leisha Leyson, Oregon Army National Guard
Leisha enlisted in the Arizona Army National Guard in May 1987, and transferred to the Oregon Army National Guard in 1989. In the mid 1980s military career opportunities for women were beginning to broaden but they were still limited. Leisha said she originally wanted to be part of the military police, but there was a height requirement to be an MP and at 5’2” she was too short! Instead, she entered the Equipment Records and Part Specialist Military Occupational Skill, which is now called Automated Log Specialist.
Why did you choose to serve in the U.S. military? I was studying pre-veterinarian medicine and student loans were piling up. I saw a National Guard commercial that said that they would pay for college, and the next day I went to see a recruiter to see what they could offer.
What lessons did you take away from your service? The lesson I took away from my military service is I can do anything that I put my mind to and I can do it very well. I learned to take the initiative, move forward in a positive manner and to always have a plan.
What is your favorite memory? My favorite memory is when my husband, Ken, and I were promoted in a combined ceremony, him to Master Sergeant and me to Staff Sergeant. Both our brigade commanders and our command sergeant majors promoted us in front of our family and my husband’s unit. Being promoted with my husband by my side, by soldiers I looked up to was definitely a highlight in my career.
What about your service makes you most proud? Taking care of soldiers! At the start of the Iraq war I was asked by the Adjutant General to work with the Family Coordinators to ensure families of deployed Soldiers were taken care of. By taking care of the families, these same Soldiers could concentrate on their mission and not worry so much about issues at home.
Leisha has worked in the Portland District for four years and is an administrative support assistant in the Channels and Harbors Project of the Operations Division.
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Tech Sgt. Terri Cote, U.S. Air Force Reserve
Terri enlisted in the Air Force July 23, 1997. She has been stationed in Colorado and Texas and currently serves with the 304th Rescue Squadron at the Portland Air National Guard Base, and is an Aircrew Flight Equipment Technician, also referred to as a Rigger; she inspects, maintains and repairs life saving equipment to include packing multiple parachute systems.
Why did you choose to serve in the U.S. military? As a young girl I had the great privilege of living at the Air Force Academy and often found myself hanging out at the cadet parade field, watching the cadets practice marching and drilling. I remember how much pride they had and how sharp they looked, and it inspired me to want to serve my country and be a part of that tradition.
Other than job skills, what lessons did you take away from your service? I have learned that attention to detail is important in all aspects of life, that living by Air Force Core Values--integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do--on and off duty, will keep me on the right path.
What is your favorite memory from your service? There are so many to choose from, but current one that tops the list is when I had the opportunity to play the part of an injured survivor and was hoisted 50 feet off the ground into a HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter. Talk about a thrill a minute!
What would advice would you give your younger self, the one just entering the service? Enjoy and relish every moment, even the tough ones, never take it for granted and cherish the memories because they stay with you forever.
Terri is the administrative assistant to the Portland District deputy commander. She began working for the Corps in 2008.
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Petty Officer 2nd Class Carol Franson, U.S. Navy
The opportunity to travel prompted Carol to join the Navy in 1970, a decade during which the military underwent many cultural changes in relation to the nation’s shifting social attitudes and expectations. Carol personally recorded her commander’s interactions with people protesting the Vietnam War, she spent time that, at the time, was closed to women, and she made the local news in San Jose, Calif., in 1976 as one of the first women who were allowed to remain in the military when she became pregnant. Toward the end of her pregnancy she had to wear civilian clothes, because the Navy did not design maternity uniforms until 1978.
What is your favorite memory from your service?
So many memories! I remember flying in a P3 Orion prop plane in 1973 from Moffett Field, Calif., to Iwakuni, Japan, to visit my husband. The aircraft made an overnight stop on Midway Island and I remember the color of the water being so beautiful and thinking about the many soldiers killed on that beach during World War II. After my visit in Iwakuni, on our return flight we lost an engine and had to land in Adak, Alaska, a remote base in the Aleutian Islands where there were no women stationed. It was a long week waiting for repairs.
I received the Secretary of the Navy Achievement Medal, the first medal established to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service Medal.
What would advice would you give your younger self, the one just entering the service? I’m not sure what advice I would give someone entering the service today; women in the military have come a long way since I was in the Navy. I would say to always be open to new challenges and learning.
What lessons did you take away from your service? I gained a real sense that I am proud to be an American and that I was fortunate to have grown up in Oregon. I had the opportunity to meet people from all over the United States from all walks of life. I am so proud to have been part of something really important.
Carol is a Regulatory project manager in the Eugene field office. She has worked for the Portland District for 12 years.