MacDill holds rich history of women in uniform

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Juanika Glover
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AFB, Fla. --  On April 27, 1943 MacDill went coed by welcoming women from the Tampa Bay community and across the country that had joined the military to do their part in serving the country. 

They would no longer just be the wives of Soldiers, and Airmen. They became an integral part of the Armed Forces missions.
Along side their male counterparts, the newly appointed 'servicewomen' wore military uniforms and worked in nontraditional roles. 

The Women's Auxiliary Army Corps or WAAC was created at the request of the war department, shortly after World War II began, to serve with the Army for the purpose of releasing men in rear-line duties for service at the fighting front. 

Col. Oveta Hubby, director of the organization, said in a 1943 interview with the Thunderbird quarterly magazine, "The origins of the WAAC lie in military necessity. These ladies want to serve with us and would be of great benefit to the military and to the nation's war efforts." 

The MacDill men vouched for Col. Hubby and welcomed the women into service with open arms. On the day of their arrival to MacDill, the WAACs were greeted by MacDill's military bands and hundreds of curious soldiers who stood by watching at a distance.
The women filled positions in the base hospital, dental laboratory, transportation office, library, rationing office, communications office and the base photo laboratory. 

The women were chosen for their positions based on the skills and knowledge they had prior to joining the military. The women, who had no prior training, were sent to technical training schools across the country before coming to MacDill. 

The WAACs spent many productive years at MacDill filling roles which enabled more men to fight at the front lines of the war. Without their contributions and desire to help, winning the war may have taken longer. 

Staff Sgt. Michelle Jefferies, 6th Services Squadron Fitness Center supervisor, said she feels like women have come a long way since the days of the WAACs. She said their efforts paved the way for women like her who joined the military to make a difference. 

"There have been some great strides in the military for women when it comes to opportunities," said Sergeant Jefferies. "Unlike in the past, we have the same chance to excel as men do. We have the same rank structure now and we're given the same opportunity to test for promotion and achieve a higher rank as men. There's nothing holding us back. We have the same test dates and the same time in grade, so everything is equal." 

The opportunity is there for women if they take it, she said. 

Sergeant Jefferies has taken advantage of her time in the military by working hard and getting rewarded for her efforts. She has even had a hand in helping MacDill's Fitness Center earn awards with the Five Star Program which rates fitness centers through the Air Force or their quality and customer service. 

"I definitely feel like I represent for women, because not only do I have military strength within me, I also have a nurturing strength as a woman which aids me in educating young Airmen." 

Sergeant Jefferies said she feels like nothing has taken away from her identity as a woman by being in the military. 

"You can still be feminine and be a military woman at the same time. If I could go back in time I'd still join the military. I've made so many great friends, seen some amazing places and I'm a part of an important mission. I have the women of the past who fought to become apart of the Armed Forces to thank for that," she added. 

The WAACs at MacDill and other bases across the country, not only made history; they paved the road for women of the military today, who not only fight for their country but die for their country as well.