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    First female Native American inducted into hall of fame, new officers commissioned

    First female Native American inducted into hall of fame, new officers commissioned

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Jason Lay | Maj. Gen. Michael C. Thompson (left), adjutant general for Oklahoma, and Brig. Gen....... read more read more

    OKLAHOMA CITY , OK, UNITED STATES

    09.09.2018

    Story by Staff Sgt. Jason Lay 

    145th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

    OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma’s Native Americans have a long history of proud and distinguished service in the Oklahoma Army National Guard. On Sunday, the military career of one Native-American was celebrated and forever memorialized during a graduation and commissioning ceremony for the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s newest young leaders.

    Retired Oklahoma Army National Guard Maj. Vicki Jones, of Guthrie, Oklahoma, joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard on March 24, 1978. After serving briefly in the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry, Jones was accepted to the Oklahoma National Guard’s Officer Candidate School, which she graduated from on May 4, 1980. Jones was commissioned as a second lieutenant, and was assigned to Headquarters Company, 45th Infantry Brigade, as a medical platoon leader.

    After a year of commissioned service, Jones attended the Army Rotary Wing (Helicopter) School at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and graduated in September 1981. Jones was the first female pilot in the Oklahoma Army National Guard and is believed to be the first Native American female to graduate from the Army Rotary Wing School.

    Soon after completing flight school, Jones also became the first female in the Oklahoma Army National Guard to complete the Air Assault School at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma.

    “I had the opportunity to fly and learn from some of the very best pilots [the] Oklahoma [Army National Guard] had, [our] Vietnam Vets,” Jones said.

    Jones served with distinction throughout her 28 year career. As a pilot, she flew hundreds of missions, some in support of counter drug and search and rescue operations, and many more in support of National Guard training operations. Jones maintained an impeccable mission success and safety record throughout her time as a pilot.
    “If I had one flight in my career of flying that will always be in my mind, it was having the opportunity and the honor of flying two Oklahoma Medal of Honor recipients, 1st Lieutenant Jack Montgomery and Lt. Col. Lieutenant Ernest Childers, both World War II veterans,” said Jones.
    Since retiring from the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 2006, Jones has continued to serve the community by educating school children on Native American history and working to empower young females to pursue their dreams.

    Jones is a member of the Women in Military Service of America, the National Guard Association, the 45th Infantry Division Association, the American Legion and the Patriot Guard Riders.

    During her induction ceremony, Jones thanked many members of the audience for the contributions and impact they had on her personally and throughout her military service.

    “To be exceptional is to live your life being humble," she said. "When you’re honored, be humble. When your time comes to make your journey, you will know that others knew you lived your life being humble.”

    Following Jones’ induction ceremony, eight officer candidates graduated from Officer Candidate School Class 63/63A after more than a year of extremely hard work. Throughout the course, each candidate was tested both mentally and physically but, for each new challenge, the eight graduates had an answer.

    During the course, the candidates were required to demonstrate the capacity to lead others, the ability to navigate using various navigational aids, their tactical proficiency and were required to maintain a very high level of physical fitness.

    Following the graduation portion of the ceremony, five of the candidates took the oath of office and became the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s newest lieutenants. The remaining three plan to commission at a later date.

    The next OCS class is already six-months into their training and, with some hard work and dedication, will join the thousands who graduated before them and have gone on to be the leaders of Oklahoma’s Army National Guard.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.09.2018
    Date Posted: 09.11.2018 15:43
    Story ID: 291990
    Location: OKLAHOMA CITY , OK, US

    Web Views: 174
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN