Patricia T. Flipping

Patricia's story in her own words:

"At the age of 18 years old I set my goal of joining the Navy and retiring in 20 years. This is my story. My name is Patricia Turner Flipping. I'm a retired veteran of the US Navy serving 20 years. I joined the Navy on January 23rd of 1980 (18 years old) and retired in 2000. The military not only gave me tools to become successful in my life and career, but the Navy allowed me to travel the world and see other cultures. I've experienced things that I didn't know existed because I've been to countries where women weren't allowed to vote, they were denied education and not even allowed to voice their own opinion. I experienced prejudice for being a woman and then a woman of color in uniform and in a leadership position. At times I wanted to give up and call it quits but I leaned on moral support from my family (especially my deceased father - Johnnie Turner and deceased cousins - Jack and Jimmy Brooks - both were veterans). They actually were hard on me but I realized later that made me even stronger and more determined to accomplish my dream. So this is my story- [I] am proud to be a woman of color and a United States Navy Veteran who overcame diversity." - Patricia Flemming, January 09, 2021.

"On or about January 20 of 1980 I went to take my test at the recruiter office in Charlottesville, Va and passed the test in which I informed my parents that they were sending me to Richmond (to take my physical). The test took all day and you had all branches of the military taking the physical. After about 6 hours they gathered us (other males and females) in this huge room. I did notice the American flag and the other flags (Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force). I remember this man in a uniform and he said raise your right hand and I did along with about 100 of us. I had no idea what happened until I asked this female standing next to me. She said you were just sworn in the Navy. Then they called my name and give me some paper work (didn’t realize that was my orders to boot camp). I was given meal money and a train ticket to Orlando, Florida. They put me (with about 50 males and females) on a bus to the train station. Everything happen so fast I didn’t have time to call (no cell phones back in those days) my parents. I arrived in Orlando on the January 23rd. I explained to my company commander what had happen and they took me to the Red Cross building to let me call my parents. I graduated from boot camp in April of 1980. After boot camp I went Radioman Communication School in San Diego, Ca. I was stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Sasebo, Japan (near Nagasaki), San Diego, Ca, Diego Garcia, Norfolk, Va. I also served on 2 Tankers the USNS Leroy Grumman (TA-O 195) and USNS John Lenthall (TA-O 189) our overseas home port was Augusta, Italy." - Patricia Flemming, January 19, 2021