I thought that my application was just a formality. I had veterinary experience, good grades in college, licenses to practice veterinary medicine in three states, and letters of recommendation that made me look as if I could almost walk on water. Then the shock came--the Army turned me down.
I was told that because of my years of experience I would qualify to enter the Veterinary Corp as a major, a rank above many experienced veterinary officers who were only captains, and that the Army didn't want to condone such as situation. I was very disappointed. I had already made plans in my mind to fire my divorce lawyer now that I would have access to free military lawyers and to pack for some exotic destination like Germany or Turkey.
I volunteered to start at the same rank as everyone else. I was told that my rank was dictated by law. I have found that these things--the laws governing rank, for example--change periodically depending upon what the U.S. government needs or wants at the time. I do think my own case was influenced by the fact that the Air Force Veterinary Corp had just been absorbed by the Army Veterinary Corp, and those former Air Force veterinarians were competing for the same assignments as me.
Well, I didn't get to go to Germany or Turkey, but I did fire my divorce lawyer and moved, along with my two daughters, to Wisonsin, a good 1000 miles away from Oklahoma. Of course, I didn't let go of the idea of being a female warrior. In Wisconsin, I became a member of the Army National Guard, and yes, I did join as a major. When I moved to Texas, I joined the Army Reserve, and by the time the Army and I parted, I had attained the rank of Lt. Colonel.
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