Robin D. Hamilton Oral History

Details

Who's responsible?: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries (Repository)
How much has been digitized?: Only a part of this collection has been digitized.
What's in the full collection?: April 2016 oral history transcript, 2022 retirement ceremony program
Full biography: Robin D. Hamilton (b. 1962), of Danville, Virginia, served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1984-2022.
Topics: Women's History
Military
Branch of service: Navy
Navy -- Navy Reserve
Conflict: Post-Vietnam, Panama, Grenada (1975-1989)
Gulf War (1990-2000)
War on Terror, OEF, OIF (2001-Present)
Subject headings: United States--History--1945-
United States. Navy--Women
Contributing Institution: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries

: Oral History interview with Robin D. Hamilton; Primarily documents the life of Robin. D. Hamilton and her service with the United States Navy and U.S. Navy Reserve. Hamilton recalls being the first person in her family to go this far in life, and how she hopes her story, of being a lesbian in the military, inspires others to follow their dreams and know what is possible in life. But she also discusses the need for her to lie on various documents when it came to her sexuality, as she did not know what would happen, and how this action made her feel as if she was hiding. Hamilton expresses her regret over not being active duty, as she believes it would have provided her with more opportunities, and the misperception among civilians that in order to be in the U.S. Navy you have to be aboard a ship. She also discusses the confidence she gained from the U.S. Navy, and recalls the many people throughout her military career that have shaped and guided her.

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