BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : AFRICAN AMERICAN " BRIG. GENERAL JULIA CLECKLEY " BECAME THE FIRST MINORITY WOMAN FLAG OFFICER IN THE ACTIVE GUARD RESERVE : GOES INTO THE " HALL OF BLACK HEROES "

                 BRIG. GEN. JULIA CLECKLEY                                                                                                                                                     

                   

BLACK  SOCIAL  HISTORY     

ONE WO

In celebration of Women's History Month, throughout the month of March Soldiers will be featuring several pieces highlighting the accomplishments of women in the Army. (U.S. Army graphic)

I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania, where I adopted my mother’s strong work ethic and family values. I wanted to go to college when I completed high school and enlisted in the military, because the G.I. Bill was offered and would provide me the resources for college in the future.
My approach and goal at any job I’ve had, both as an enlisted Soldier and officer, is to do the best that I can while being honest with myself and (my) co-workers. I’ve always wanted to be successful at any task I’ve been assigned or roles I’ve chosen to take, and attribute this (drive) to (my) family values, integrity and mentors. I also know that I wouldn’t have reached the rank of brigadier general if I had not been assertive and open to asking for help when I needed it.

Julia J. Cleckley became the first minority woman flag officer in the Active Guard Reserve. (Photo courtesy of retired Brig. Gen. Julia J. Cleckley)

I joined the Army National Guard as a specialist E-5, the rank I earned in the Women’s Army Corp. I served as a traditional Guardsman while teaching school for five years, during which time I became a commissioned officer. After the sudden death of my husband (I was a captain at the time), I decided to go on active duty in the Army National Guard (known as Active Guard Reserve).
Traditionally, the ARNG was an all-male organization. I was often the first minority woman to hold many positions, to include the first female ROTC professor at the university where I taught, the first branch and division chief of human resources at the Army National Guard Bureau and the first female personnel chief for the 54 states and territories of the ARNG. Fortunately, I have the ability to get along with everyone, (and) I gained respect by being loyal to superiors and subordinates alike. I do not understand the word “no” and I always accept challenges — they motivate me.
Reaching the rank of flag officer was beyond my dreams. I’ve always known that I have to do better than satisfactory. That drive comes from being a minority and a woman, and achieving that goal through hard work enhanced my desire to continue to open doors for others. One of my greatest and most memorable roles as a general officer was being a special assistant to the director of the Army National Guard.
I served as head of the diversity and mentoring program during its development, and in that role I found enormous potential existed in many individuals for developing leadership. I care about people, about Soldiers and their families. It is an honor and blessing to (have been) the first minority female brigadier general in the Army AGR.