CWO5 Jeanne Y. Pace: Longest serving woman in the Army
Andy sends us a link from Army.mil about Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jeanne Y. Pace who is the Army’s longest serving woman in history. She is currently the commander of the 1st Cavalry Division Band. She’s been on active duty since 1972 when it wasn’t the Army but the Women’s Army Corp.
Like many serving today, Pace said she joined the Army to establish her independence as an adult with the guarantee of clothing, food, shelter, and medical benefits while earning her education benefits and trying to figure out what she really wanted to do with her life.
“I had no idea that that three-year year enlistment would turn into more than 40 years. There is just no way I could have imagined it,” continued Pace.
Pace began her career as a private with the 14th Army (WAC) Band at Fort McClellan, Ga., and after 13 years decided to apply to be a warrant officer. It was during this time she was dealt what she perceives was her only real setback during her distinguished career.
“I failed the first time I tried to become a warrant officer,” said Pace.
Category: Real Soldiers
@ 51 ,,, you are correct Sir!
They all go on to great careers after military service.
@47.
I am an old IN guy, but well spoken.
Roger that.
I’d give CWO5 Pace a pass on being a a bit pear shaped…like Generals Ray Odierno & Lloyd Austin are the epitome of being “fighting trim” right?
Plus the band is alot more professional than some other branches (MOS).
I will leave it at that.
DEVTUN … slack is authorized … she has been in the army since 1972 and served under 9 Presidents (I think). 2 more than me and I thought I was the Cheeze Whiz!
I don’t care what your MOS/NEC is, 40 years in uniform ain’t shit to dismiss.
First COB on my first boat retired in 1989. He’d been in since 1947. 42 years. He did his first COB (Chief of the Boat) tour in 1967. SEVEN COB TOURS. FIVE CMC tours. Think about that. The guy had been a Master Chief almost as long as I’d been alive. He’d served on more boats as a COB than most people ever set foot on, period.
God bless, Master Chief Follo, and God bless, Chief Pace.
She’s been in the army for as long as I have been alive and she’s kept someone else from filling that position all this time. Retire already.
Nothing but respect for the Chief, 40+ years is a great accomplishment.
Regarding military bands in general, that is probably one of the first places that we need to look to when making cuts. Ceremony is nice, but it’s at least secondary to jobs that serve more basic functions. Give the bandsmen the chance to reclass, but make cuts to things like the bands if cuts must be made.
What her MOS is doesn’t matter.
What matters is, she isn’t close to height/weight standards.
Bandmasters aren’t magically exempt…I worked with a Bandmaster who could smoke most 180As in PT….
Mix in a salad from time to time, Jeanne…and play on! 🙂
Pretty sure they all are alike, but getting into one of the bands in the Marine Corps isn’t a cake walk. They don’t exist below Division, Wing or Base Level ( there are 12 Field level Bands). As I remember these guys have to be accepted as musicians (by audition) before they even go to boot camp. They usually March better and look better in uniform than your average Devil dog, and they aren’t exempt from any of the annual quals and training. They run PT,Qualify on the range, etc. They are VERY talented. When I was in San Diego more than a few were getting well paid for doing studio gigs for Hollywood soundtracks and bands.
The premiere band in the Marine Corps, in fact in the Service is the Marine Band known as “The President’s Own” . They serve strictly at State and presidential functions. They go through a rigorous audition and are signed to six year contracts. They are required to maintain height and weight standards but do not do any training, including Boot Camp.