Photo By Master Sgt. Salli Sablan | U.S. Army Lt. Col. (R) Charmaine E. Betty-Singleton, deputy general counsel with the...... read more read more
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U.S. Army Lt. Col. (ret.) Charmaine E. Betty-Singleton, California Military Department’s deputy general counsel, received the Roy Wilkins Civilian Service award from the NAACP in Atlantic City, New Jersey on July 19, 2022. The award recognizes outstanding accomplishments of those who support civil rights in the armed services and civilian workforce.
While Betty-Singleton recently retired from military service and now works as a federal civilian, she began her career with a Reserve Officer Training Corp scholarship after high school. A native of Kingston, Jamaica, she made her way to the United States and a new home in Virginia. She graduated from Virginia Union University, in Richmond as a quarter master officer in 1989.
She later joined the Army Reserves while attending Washington and Lee Law School in Lexington and joined the Advocate General Corps upon graduation in 1993.
Her professional career included roles in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate at the United States Military Academy West and as a trial defense attorney with the 1st Infantry Division at Wuerzburg, Germany. Her experiences have taken her to Georgia, Arkansas, Iowa, Texas, Puerta Rico and Iraq before landing in California.
“Overall, with her extensive work and history of service in the community and within the building, I am not at all surprised that she was recognized for these efforts and presented with the civil rights award from the NAACP,” said U.S. Army Major, Larry B. Rankin, deputy director of the Office of External Affairs. “She embodies the idea of selfless service, both in uniform and out and continues to serve as a friend and mentor to me as my career unfolds in this organization.”
Outside of her full-time responsibilities, she also serves as the volunteer member of the diversity and equity council at CMD. She addresses all issues and advises directors at the department about inclusion when interacting with personnel.
Outside the military, she also finds time to mentor servicemembers and veterans through ROCKS, Inc., and the Buffalo Soldiers Forum. She routinely helps members apply for positions and promotions they would otherwise miss. ROCKS, Inc. is an organization that provides and promotes mentorship, leader development, and diversity.
“Charmaine tirelessly volunteers. Bagging meals for those in the community who have a need, speaking to students in high school classrooms about her journey, putting together programs to improve community mental health and wellness,” said Wona Rosier, a Sacramento volunteer and friend.
What Rosier quickly learned about Betty-Singleton is she brings her whole self plus to her chosen interests and causes and “isn’t shy about seeking to resolve difficult issues and with little fanfare, Charmaine quietly accomplishes all of this and more with faith, optimism, and real love of people,” said Rosier.
Betty-Singleton believes that leadership is solving problems and commonly quotes Colin Powell when he said, “The day Soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.”
Betty-Singleton holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and history, a master’s degree in management and leadership, a master’s certificate in corporate statecraft and a jurist doctorate. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology with a specialty in trauma/disaster relief.
As an African American female, retired judge advocate, and immigrant, she encourages everyone to use her life story as an example to strive for excellence. “If I can do it, so can you,” she said.
| Date Taken: | 10.04.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.05.2022 18:01 |
| Story ID: | 430716 |
| Location: | ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY, US |
| Web Views: | 165 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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