Oral History Interview with Charlotte Turley

Partial Transcript: Ms. Turley--uh--when and where were you born?

Segment Synopsis: Turley was born and raised in Lexington and attended Constitution Elementary School, Dunbar High School, and Henry Clay High School. Turley grew up with four sisters and one brother and always had an interest in the military. Turley says that she was the first Black female to enroll at the ROTC program at the University of Kentucky. Turley explains that the hostile climate of the ROTC towards Blacks and women prompted her to join the Army Reserves while she was a sophomore at the University of Kentucky. Turley adds that the Reserves was appealing to her because she wanted to stay close to her family while fulfilling her goal of serving in the military.

Keywords: Constitution Elementary School (Lexington, Ky.); Dunbar High School (Lexington, Ky.); Family; Henry Clay High School (Lexington, Ky.)

Subjects: African Americans; Blacks; Brother; Education; Fayette County (Ky.); Kentuckians; Kentucky; Lexington (Ky.); Nineteen seventies; Racism; Reserve Officers' Training Corps (U.S.); Sisters; United States. Army; United States. Army Reserve; University of Kentucky; Women veterans

Partial Transcript: --Um--I joined the--um--Army Reserves and I went to basic training at Fort McClellan Alabama.

Segment Synopsis: Turley's basic training took place over a two-week period at Fort McClellan, Alabama. Turley explains that her prior ROTC experience allowed her the education and skills necessary to essentially bypass the typical six week basic training experience of cadets who are new to the military. Turley was made the platoon leader of her unit during basic training in part due to her prior experience in the ROTC. Turley says that her basic training was identical to the traditional six week experience, including learning how to fire weapons, marching, and survival skills. As platoon leader, Turley states that it was her responsibility to wake up everyone in her unit at 4:30 am each day and march to breakfast. Turley adds that her day lasted from 4:30 am to 6:00 pm.

Keywords: Corporal; Military ranks; Platoons; Private; Reserve Officers' Training Corps (U.S.); ROTC; Routines; Schedules; Skills

Subjects: African Americans; Basic training; Blacks; Education; Fort McClellan (Ala.); Friendship; Hierarchy; Leadership; Marching; Survival; United States. Army Reserve; Weapons; Women veterans

Partial Transcript: Well, I stayed in the Reserves sixteen years . . .

Segment Synopsis: Turley stayed in the Reserves for sixteen years before retiring to the inactive reserves due to issues with her weight. Turley says that she received two honorable discharges when she left the Reserves. During her service in the Reserves, Turley went to different training exercises every summer, which mostly took place at Fort Campbell when she worked in the motor pool division. Turley also had the opportunity to travel to Arkansas and Ohio while serving in the motor pool division. Turley fondly recalls her experience of participating in refueling operations for military aircraft from Columbus Ohio to Iowa. Turley enjoyed watching the refueling process, especially the communication between pilots and refueling personnel. Turley discusses her career trajectory in the Reserves, beginning with her first assignment in clerical work, which was followed by her motor pool work in which she drove jeeps, tractor trailers, trucks, and convoys.

Keywords: Convoys; General supply unit; Jeeps; Military occupational specialties; MOS; Motor pools

Subjects: African Americans; Aircraft; Arkansas; Blacks; Columbus (Ohio); Fort Campbell (Ky. and Tenn.); Fuel; Iowa; Logistics; Observation; Ohio; Pilots; Rickenbacker International Airport; Tractor trailers; Training; Transportation; Travel; Truck drivers; United States. Army; United States. Army Reserve; Women veterans; Work

Partial Transcript: Then, after that, I got kind of bored, but then I wanted to do something more exciting, so I went into the military police branch, which was basically--you had to re-train for all over for that.

Segment Synopsis: Turley says that she had to receive specialized training when she entered the military police unit of the Reserves, including learning how to fire .45 caliber weapons. Turley worked in military police corrections as a correctional supervisor. In this role, Turley ran the stockades, relieved regular Army personnel corrections officers, and supervised and transported military prisoners. Turley says that she spent most of her Reserves service period in the military police.

Keywords: .45 caliber handguns; Corrections officers; Qualifications

Subjects: African Americans; Blacks; Military police; Prisoners; Prisons; Training; United States. Army; United States. Army Reserves; Weapons; Women veterans

Partial Transcript: As a--as an African American woman, what--how did you feel--how do you think the military treated you, did you feel equal?

Segment Synopsis: Turley says that she did not feel comfortable with the atmosphere that she encountered at the University of Kentucky ROTC program. Turley shares her experiences of sexual harassment while in the Reserves. While working the motor pool division, Turley was approached by a male officer who refused to promote her unless she performed sexual favors for him. With the help of another officer, Turley was able to successfully file a complaint for sexual harassment and was transferred over to the military police unit. Turley says that the officer who asked for sexual favors in exchange for rank promotions was fired and she was then able to gain the rank of sergeant when she entered the military police. Turley recalls that she had people from many different states in her unit during basic training. Turley says that she is still in contact with many of the people she served with in the Reserves, but not as many people from her basic training.

Keywords: Abuse of power; Motor pools; Performance; Promotions; Sergeants; Sexual harassment complaints

Subjects: African Americans; Basic training; Blacks; Corruption; Discrimination; Ethics; Friendship; Men; Military police; Punishment; Racism; Sexism; Sexual harassment; Transfer; United States. Army; United States. Army Reserve; Women; Women veterans

Partial Transcript: Do you see the military as a good place for African Americans, for men and women?

Segment Synopsis: Turley believes that the military is a good place for Blacks, but that the military requires a certain strength and mental toughness. Turley encourages Blacks in the military to be aware of their rights. Turley speculates that more Blacks have joined the military in recent years in part because Blacks now have the opportunity to chose their job and branch of service. Historically, Turley explains that Blacks were often drafted into the military and automatically placed into the most hazardous jobs. Turley states that many of her relatives served in the military, especially women, since many men in her family suffered from football injuries and were unable to serve. Turley adds that military service would be beneficial for all young people, including her daughter, who also served in the military.

Keywords: Active duty; Brother-in-law; Clerical work; Daughter; Military occupational specialties; Military recruiting; MOS

Subjects: African Americans; Aircraft; Blacks; Civil rights; Cousins; Families; Fuel; Infantry; Sisters; United States. Army; United States. Army Reserve; United States. Military; Women veterans; Youth