Press release
Bernice Harkins was introduced by Carole Ruska as the speaker at the November meeting of the Sarah Maples Chapter of DAR. Her topic was “Women Veterans.” Bernice is a retired Sergeant First Class with a 25-year service record, so she knows first hand how women were treated in the military. She had trouble with some of the men under her who did not follow orders. She learned real quick that she had to be assertive and be self confident in herself and her judgement. One of her favorite sayings is “Better days are coming” and they have in the military. The women are respected more than when she enlisted. Its changing every day for the better.
She served in the Army Reserves from 1981-83, and was awarded the Military Occupational specialty of a Licensed Practical Nurse. In 1984 she completed the Combat Medic Course in Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. Her military career includes deployments as a First Sergeant of MEDEVAC in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Provide Comfort as well as in Operation Provide Hope in Somalia and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal are just a few of her many military awards.
Bernice now works at the Vet Center and part of her job is to furnish counseling for all immediate family members (including spouses, children, parents and siblings) of Servicemembers who die while on active service. Part of that job also includes any veteran who experienced sexual harassment or violence while serving in the military regardless of gender or era of service. The goal of the Vet Center program is to provide a broad range of counseling, outreach and referral services to eligible veterans in order to help them make a satisfying post-war readjustment to civilian life.
Bernice has been married 30 years to Retired First Sergeant Wade A. Harkins, and has two daughters and two grandsons. She has a Masters in Counseling and is currently working on a Masters in Social Work. She is presently employed as an Outreach Specialist at the Tarrant County Veterans Center.