Erika Broman, BSN, RN, GERO-BC
U.S. Army, served 8/1985 – 4/1990
SP4, 43E, Parachute Rigger
I am currently an RN at the Zablocki VA Medical Center. I served in the U.S. Army for 4 ½ years.
In 1985, I was 19 and had completed one year of college. I realized I wasn’t ready to continue school at that time. My friend and I would often visit the recruiters’ station, and before I knew it, I enlisted in the U.S. Army for four years!
I left for basic training in Fort Jackson, SC, in August 1985. Next, I went to Fort Benning, GA, for Airborne School and finally to Fort Lee, VA, for Parachute Rigger School. After all the training, I was stationed at Fort Benning, GA, packing parachutes for the 1/507th Airborne School and the 3/75th Ranger Battalion. I spent my last year of service at Fort Ord, CA, near Monterey Bay, CA. It was my favorite duty station, and it was amazing to be by the Pacific Ocean (Especially for a young woman from Nebraska).
Before Parachute Rigger School, I had to graduate from Airborne School to receive my parachutist badge (Airborne). The Rigger motto is “I Will Be Sure Always!”. We were required to jump out of a helicopter using the first parachute we completely packed! At Fort Benning, I received an Army Achievement Medal for packing over 5,000 parachutes in one year with no malfunctions.
The best part of serving in the military for me was the many friends I made. From basic training to my last duty station, there was so much support and camaraderie amongst my fellow soldiers. I am still in contact with many of them. I started a Facebook group for the Ft Benning Riggers, and we will have our 3rd reunion this summer. I am proud to say that I am a US Army Veteran and served as a Woman Paratrooper.
The benefits I received for my service are such a blessing. I used my GI Bill to return to college in 1993 and graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1997. I have no student loans! I have used my VA Home loan benefits to purchase a home in 2020. I also receive outstanding healthcare from the Milwaukee VA.
I am proud to be a woman veteran and would love to share my story.
