Posted on 02/24/2006 3:32:51 PM PST by SandRat
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Feb. 24, 2006) -- Most Marines strive to be the best at what they do, but only a select few can claim they were the "first" in history to accomplish something. Like Samuel Nicholas who became the first Marine officer in 1775, Opha Mae Johnson who became the first female Marine in 1918 or Carol A. Mutter who became the first female major general in 1994.
Through hard work and dedication, Kimberly D. Walker joined these distinguished Marines in February when she became the first female master gunnery sergeant to serve as a combat service support chief.
Since joining the Marine Corps in 1984, Walker has worked her way through the ranks all the while not limiting herself to just her career. Walker is the proud mother of six daughters ranging in age from seven to 19.
Although at times her career has taken her far from her children they have never been far from her mind.
"My girls mean the world to me," said Walker. "I know I've missed a lot of birthdays, while I was away on deployments, but thoughts of them always got me through."
The Porterville, Calif., native currently works as the G-3 chief for 2nd Marine Logistics Group at Building 2, and also as a full time mother.
"It goes without saying that having six daughters involves a lot of work, but with the values I've instilled in them over the years, they're very good at taking care of themselves if I can't be there," Walker said, with a proud smile.
Although Walker has instilled Marine Corps values in her children over the years, she admits that incorporating Godly values as well is what has helped make her children who they are today.
"They are all hard workers who look out for each other and don't quit," said Walker. "I've always been big on integrity and now they are too."
Some may think that moving six kids around the globe several times throughout their childhood would weaken a family's spirit, but it seems to have brought the Walker family closer together.
"All my girls are very close, we're definitely a close knit family," Walker added. "[Throughout] the years they've grown to quickly adapt to a new environment, and they have never had problems making friends."
While her daughters, Dawn, 19, Lindsey, 16, Sidney, 16, Jasmine, 13, Janel, 9, and Gabrielle, 7, all love spending time together playing board games or cooking, they are all individuals in their own right.
Dawn, who was a cross-country runner in high school, now attends Eastern Carolina University as a sophomore. Sydney has followed in her sister's footsteps and runs cross-country, while Jasmine dedicates her after school activities to track and field, specializing in the shot put. Gabrielle, the youngest, wants to start taking piano lessons, while her sister, Janel, has fun gardening with her mom in the backyard.
Walker has juggled her roles of both mom and G-3 chief for two years now. While she has six of her biggest fans cheering her on at home, she picked up a few protégés in the workplace as well.
One of them had nothing but good things to say about her Marine Corps mentor.
"It's been a good experience working with Master Gunnery Sgt. Walker," said Lance Cpl. Kellie M. Hubbard of Spencer, Tenn., a G-3 administration clerk. "She is definitely a good role model of how your Marine Corps career is supposed to be."
While Walker has loved her time spent in the Marine Corps, she is planning on retiring after three more years of service, according to Walker.
"I want to get out and spread the wealth to give others the chance to get promoted up the ranks," Walker added. “I’d also like to spend more time with my kids.”
Although her plans on where to retire are still up in the air, she does not plan on returning to her home state of California, because the cost of living is too high, according to Walker.
Walker's final thoughts on being promoted and receiving the recognition of the first female of her rank in her MOS were a collaboration or honored and proud feelings.
"It's definitely a great feeling knowing I'm the first female [master gunnery sergeant] in my field," said Walker. "But I'm just proud to have made it to master gunnery sergeant and to be where I am in the Marine Corps. That's an achievement in itself."
Even if she is a single parent because the dad isn't there. So what? People get divorced because of abuse and maybe the man wasn't worth a dime. It should be obvious to the 'where's the dad' folks that she has a excellent family support structure to raise such fine girls when she's deployed. I just think he's dead personally.
My point exactly, did you read my comments? We're on the same page.
And one more thing, maybe they're adopted like rogueyam said. Oh well either way, she's to be cogratulated. Have a great weekend indy!
Oh yes I read them and agree 100%!
You too! My soldier is done with her leave tomorrow. They're heading out at 4 am back to Ft. Riley, Kansas. I'm kind of bumming. She's been home three weeks, after a year in Iraq. I'm going to miss her. She's packing her stuff up right now. The things she had stored here. We had a great time.
Send her my regards!
Thanks, I will, you have a great weekend too.
My thoughts exactly, God help us Free Republic can be a narrow minded little ghetto at times can't it?
If the woman was white there would be no questions, the assumption would be that this woman was a god fearing lady who's husband died or something. But no she's black so the petty little snarky back biting starts, disgusting, truly disgusting.
This woman is a hard working, upright, damned fine American patriot who is raising her beautiful daughters to be the same and all some people see here is a. . . no I can't say it, they should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.
And for those of you too dumb to read a simple photo caption, the other woman is her NIECE!
I am not surprised at some of the comments. Oh well.
BTTT
That's a possibility,...saw a lot of that and still do.
Talk about a small-minded post!
Single parents are a figment of Leftist imagination. It's either "widow", "divorced", or out-of-wedlock. In the case of an article such as the one posted, be sure that if she were MARRIED, that would be a PLUS and it would have been included. If she were WIDOWED, that would have added to the story and would have been included, too. If she were divorced, it may or may not have been included, but calling women "single parent" with children is an oxymoron, except to the PC-darlings of the Left.
It's not that difficult to see the intent/dis-information of the article to enhance it's "modern" acceptance by those who don't hold onto the nuclear family principles that dearly.
By the way, she was not drafted, I assure you, and she VOLUNTEERED to leave her family behind.
I see you're new here, and the comments sometimes are non-PC, and to the point. That's the beauty of FR: there's still a few here with tact. Nodding in silent agreement and to be accepted in today's PC-world continues to create the Leftist march toward socialism and silencing of those who hold principled traditional views.
I haven't a clue what you're wittering on about but it bears no relation to what was the subject of my post.
We have here a heartwarming story about a brave American patriot and all the whiny, curtain twitchers can ask is "Where's the husband?"
My contention is simple and it is that this is solely because the woman in question is black, they see a black woman with a load of kids and another black woman holding a baby and their little racist synapses start firing. They don't read the story or even the god damned caption to the picture, instead they just bitch about the woman's marital status.
Why? She works hard, she brings up her girls well, what's the problem? The problem is that in the eyes of some freepers she's just a n. . . . .
Won't waste my time responding to a band-wagon post. The story is "heartwarming" because of what? A Lifer makes it to MGSgt. and the world stops turning?
Discipline starts at home; not on command orders.
I'm not impressed with the rhetoric, and as far as the assumption of hard work involved somehow, is just for those who believe the Liberal rags they read.
No amount of denial will change the 75% plus statistic of black out-of-wedlock births, no matter HOW you wanna sugar-coat it.
I say again: where's the father in the story, and there is NO such thing as a single parent in the human species.
Blow it out yer ass ya bigot.
Another very self-descriptive and fact-absent post. When all else fails to confront the facts, the usual name-calling/verbal assaults begin. Very similar to the DU posters.
While I do not know Kim Walker personally, I know of her through my son. I made the connection when I read this article posted. My son has worked under her and had nothing but high praise for her. My son told me about her on many occasions and her commitment to the Marines that work with her is inspirational.
Traditionall,
You comments about single moms was unnecessary to this article. Yes the fact may be that there is an absentee "father" in this story, this doesn't take away from the accomplishments this woman overcame through her hard work and dedication. As for your racial comments you should be ashamed of yourself. They disgust me.
Congratulations Kim Walker
from a Single Marine Mom
Good for you.
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