Stephanie Funches Gunn Oral History
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Oral history interview with Stephanie Funches Gunn
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Primarily documents the life of Stephanie Fuchs Gunn and her service with the United States Army. Gunn recalls her decision to join the United States Army during high school; attending basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, in June 2000; and being sent to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, after graduating high school 2001 for Advanced Individual Training (AIT). During her time at AIT, the September 11 terrorist attacks occurred in the United States. After AIT, Gunn recalls her assignment to a National Guard unit in Darlington, South Carolina, where, for the next few years, she worked with an ambulance platoon, conducting vehicle maintenance and inspecting equipment. In 2006, Gunn transferred to active duty, received six-weeks of training as a 42A, Human Resource Specialist, in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and was then deployed overseas with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment out of Fort Hood, Texas. Gunn recalls returning from overseas in Summer 2009, and was assigned to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, to be the Colonel's secretary. In 2012, Gunn received orders to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and was designated the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of a small Human Resources office, where she often felt dismissed and not taken seriously by others, as she was the youngest, African-American, and female. Gunn discusses her time as an instructor for Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and being accepted to the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Enlisted Commissioning Program (AECP). Gunn is currently a member of the U.S. National Guard.
