Doris is on a mission to combat sexism in the military. She is a retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4) in 2019 after 36 years of service in the Army and Army National Guard. She spent her first three years in the Army as a Truck Driver. Then she left the military for a year and then learned about the National Guard where she served another 33 years in the Vermont National Guard as a Personnel Specialist. She launched my own diversity consulting business upon retirement. And she published her memoir Life At Camp: Combating the Sexism We Tolerate and Why the Military Should take the Lead in November 2023.
Combating Sexism in the Military
Doris decided to join the military when she and a friend met a recruiter in a bar. She wanted to be a truck driver and was ready for an adventure. After completing training at Fort Dix in New Jersey she was sent to Maryland for her first assignment. At the end of three years she was done with the military. She had married a soldier and followed him to Germany. A year later they came back to the states and went their separate ways, but he joined the National Guard. That peaked her interest. So she joined.
From Truck Driver to Personnelist
The National Guard in Vermont wanted her to try a new career field so she no longer was a truck driver and instead did personnel. She started part time but then learned she could work full time for the National Guard. She stayed at Camp Johnson for her whole career in the National Guard. When she was in her late thirties she decided to switch from enlisted to warrant officer. It was a good change for her.
A change for purpose
Her last job in the National Guard was a Diversity Consultant for the 13 years. There she learned about the importance of diversity and tried to help women combat sexism. But she faced a lot of challenges and she wrote about those challenges in a book called, Life at Camp.
Want to learn more about Doris, check out her website: https://itsallaboutego.com/
What a pure heart. God bless her. Doris’s journey is a testament to resilience and adaptability. Her decision to join the military was sparked by a chance encounter, leading her to embrace the role of a truck driver and embark on an adventure. After her training at Fort Dix and initial assignment in Maryland, she moved to Germany following her marriage. Though their paths diverged, her husband’s involvement with the National Guard rekindled her interest in service.
Transitioning from truck driving to personnel work with the National Guard in Vermont, Doris found new purpose. Her dedication led her to a fulfilling career at Camp Johnson, where she transitioned from enlisted to warrant officer, a move that enriched her professional life.
To me her most impactful role came as a Diversity Consultant for the National Guard, where she championed diversity and fought against sexism. Doris’s experiences and the challenges she faced inspired her to write “Life at Camp,” a book that captures her journey and the invaluable lessons she learned. Her story is one of growth, courage, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference.