Kathleen Brammer of Marion, Ohio, follows in her family’s standing tradition of military service to country. Her grandfather served in the Army Air Corps and later as a civilian contractor, her grandmother served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, her mother served in the United States Air Force, and her father served in the United States Navy. Kathleen is one of four siblings to serve in the armed forces; she has a brother, who served in both the U. S. Navy and U. S. Army; another brother who served in the U. S. Army; and a sister who served in the U. S. Air Force.

Brammer attended Pleasant High School and transferred to Harding High School for her senior year. While at both Pleasant and Harding, Brammer was part of the marching band’s color guard. During high school, Brammer would also attend Tri-Rivers Career Center, in the Cosmetology program, gaining her Esthetician certification. She was also trained in first aide and CPR. After graduation she decided to follow in her families tradition of military service, by enlisting into the United States Army.

Kathleen Brammer started her basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, in early 2020. She would be one of the first groups of trainees to train during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In the midst of training the armed forces as well as the rest of the world, would have to begin transitioning into the new and sometimes challenging, COVID precautions era.

When asked how did COVID affect you, she said, “Covid affected basically everything. Our families weren’t allowed to see us graduate either BCT (basic training) or AIT (advanced individual training). I didn’t see my family until I took leave a few months into being in Korea.” She also added, “Masking became routine. It was strange coming back and seeing people not wearing them. And there is a mandatory quarantine of 2 weeks when flying from the US to Korea. I didn’t mind it too much. It was fun, depending on the roommates.”

Brammer said she was able to write and receive letters while in basic training. She said they still used pen and paper, something that may have been foreign to the newer generation. But, mail call has been a lasting and ever cherished event in military service. She also shared that they were allowed 5 minute phone calls as they neared the end of the training cycle. This seems very much unchanged from when the author attended basic training over thirty years ago. Also, similar to past Fort Jackson veterans, she said she had to march and countermarch “Tank Hill.” And she said that she very much “hated it.” Another enduring part of training was the gas chamber and Victory Tower. Brammer said that she was very afraid of heights and the Drill Instructor (DI) could see it on her face. When she was getting in position at the edge of the tower, prepping for her repell, the DI put his boot on her shoulder as if to kick her off “his tower!” Brammer said she completed the confidence training at Victory Tower and would see the real life confidence she gained, while later at her permanent duty station.

After successfully completing basic training, Brammer would go on to Fort Lee, Virginia, for Advanced Individual Training (AIT). She would be trained as a 91-C “Utilities Repairer/HVAC Technician.” Brammer has memories of her and fellow trainees going to the Post Exchange (PX) to get snacks, which were not allowed in the rooms of trainees. They would buy the snacks and hide them all around their waistbands to get them into the quarters for a movie night. A little team building exercise.

After graduating from AIT, Brammer would be assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division “Second to None.” She was sent to her unit in South Korea. In Korea Brammer was promoted to the rank of Private First Class (Pfc.). This was her first experience outside of the United States. She would also have to learn to speak Korean, in order to get around; another first for her.

Pfc. Kathleen Brammer would get to use her new job skills while in real duty situations. She has earned the Army Achievement Medal and multiple Certificates of Recognition, for her successful task completions. One that she shared was when she was able to make repairs needed to a medical vehicle. The vehicle was in need of heating and air conditioning repairs. She had to use her skills to not only trouble-shoot the multiple problems, but had to improvise in making the repairs. She said she had to literally, “use my teeth to get the job done.” Thus, the medical vehicle and team were able to complete its mission. Pfc. Brammer was able to remain proficient in her skills, taught by the army, to help keep her unit “mission ready.”

Second Infantry Division Mission: The 2nd Infantry Division is the last remaining permanently forward-stationed division in the U.S. Army. The 2nd Infantry Division deters aggression and maintains peace on the Korean Peninsula; and if deterrence fails, “Fight Tonight” in support of the U.S-Republic of Korea Alliance.

From the 2nd INFANTRY DIVISION Page

Pfc. Brammer found that Korea was not as bad as many had said it would be. She said that duty revolved around many drills and real alerts. These drills were to maintain combat readiness.  These alerts consisted of much readiness exercises and standing in the old “hurry-up-and-wait” actions.
Author’s Note: South Korea is not a typical duty station. For several decades our military has been ready for a quick response to hostile actions from North Korea. It remains a real world hot spot and much posturing goes on to this day.

While in Korea, she enjoyed down time with fellow soldiers at the post bowling alley. She was also able to get off post, and into the civilian area and experience Korea. She would go sightseeing and even went bungee jumping, something she may never have attempted, had she not conquered some fears back at Fort Jackson’s Victory Tower.

Brammer says that she enjoyed the trips to Nami Island, which is near Seoul, South Korea. She stated that this island was very cultural and beautiful. The island has many tree lined paths and is known as a set for many movies. Brammer shared that, “Nami Island is a cultural area. With lots of museums, along with opportunities such as zip-lining, bungee jumping, and ATV riding. Brammer also said she enjoyed trying the local cuisine. She said, “The Korean food was amazing, although most things are much spicier than I expected.”

While in Korea, Brammer did get to see a fellow classmate also serving in the army. She was able to spend a brief visit with former Pleasant classmate. She also was able to have lunch with a couple of service members from Mt. Gilead and Columbus, Ohio. Social media, not available to many veterans of old, is a nice way for service members to keep in touch with friends and family and to learn if they are nearby.

So far, Brammer feels the military has helped her by challenging her both mentally and physically. She has been able to do tasks she would not otherwise have attempted. Now she feels she can better push herself to succeed in life in general. While in training, she wrote a note in her journal to herself. It was there to remind her of when things got tough to continue forward. It read, “Keep pushing. Even if you want to quit, just remind yourself why you came here. You’re stronger than you think you are.” She would remember the motivating quote throughout and always recalls it during challenging times.

Pfc. Brammer has some post-military goals. She hopes to return to school and get a degree in art and maybe become an art teacher. She even has ideas to become trained and work as an Emergency Medical Technician, to help get her through her schooling.

We thank Pfc. Brammer and her family who raised her in the tradition of service. Female veterans and service members are under-recognized on this blog, but their service is not forgotten and is very much appreciated.