Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
7:57 | She knew it was for real when the order came down. "Lock and load!" Gail Taylor Black was on her way into Bosnia with a signal support unit. She was amazed at the poverty of the place, and it gave her a new appreciation for her life at home. She also saw the effects of PTSD, before she ever heard the word. Part 1 of 2.
Keywords : Gail Black Croatia Bosnia Sava River land mine civilian poverty Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) mail helicopter
Her father was a Green Beret, but when Gail Taylor Black expressed interest in joining the military, he was skeptical. Shortly after he passed away, she joined the Texas National Guard. She got encouragement from her aunt, who cared for her children while she trained.
The drill instructors had never had women recruits before. They were a little unsure how to handle it, remembers Gail Taylor Black. She did six years in the Texas National Guard, then decided to go regular Army. She was disappointed that she was not called to Desert Storm, but then her unit was alerted to go to Bosnia.
Gail Taylor Black had a mentor at the 440th Signal Battalion, her staff sergeant, Regina Johnston. Eventually, she got her job and was promoted to corporal while deployed. This allowed her to move into the NCO tent. What an improvement!
She was in the personnel section, but it was a signal unit, so Gail Taylor Black learned how to splice wire while preparing to deploy to Bosnia. One perk in the unit was the ability to call home, but the separation from family was still trying, especially the lack of information from back home.
Gail Taylor Black describes the toll on her and her family during her deployment to Bosnia. Serving in a war zone leaves many soldiers with a lot of family problems, and her family was no different. Part 2 of 2.
Gail Taylor Black decided to stick it out for a 25 year Army career. Now a contractor for the National Guard, she feels like she is giving back to the military that did so much for her. She fondly remembers the sergeant who helped her get through the readjustment to civilian life.
Gale Taylor Black wants everyone to remember that Bosnia was a real war, not just a peace keeping operation. She reflects on what it's like to be a woman soldier in a war zone and she contrasts the abilities of the service members of today with those of thirty years ago.
