Charita Harmon-Johnson and Daryl Pinkney

00:01 I twirl set charita kick ass off.

00:04 Hi, I am charita harmon-johnson. I am 66 today, Tuesday, April 20th, 2021 and I am located in South Orange, New Jersey. And I am talking to my fabulous brother Darryl Pinckney.

00:32 Hello, my name is Daryl Pinkney. I am 60 years old, today is April 20th, 2021, and I'm coming to you from Amherst, New York.

00:50 What I want to start out with is why did you join the military and tell us which branch you join?

01:07 Well, I don't know if you know she wouldn't know when I was always wanted to be a tanker and I see draw pictures and change to read a lot of stuff like that. I joined the army. I was in college for a while. I got tired of the college thing and I wanted some adventure and I wanted to see the world and as the African-American it was really wasn't about.

01:40 Defending this country. It was a job opportunity and it was an adventure.

01:50 Adventure.

01:52 Good. So, what did you do? What was your job was the 19? Delta? I was a Cavalry Scout is your armor Kumon that you're also trained into being are Tabs are kind of like the guys in Apocalypse. Now jumping out of helicopters, and you were 1130. We move up to Bradley's in one, a one Abrams tank.

02:23 And you know, it's a combat arms. So I'm good combat Soldier.

02:30 Did you get to drive the tank that you wanted?

02:35 Yeah, it's Bentley everybody starts out as it was it starts out as you deserve her or loader and you become a driver because the driver is, since he becomes second in command because you're responsible of the maintenance of the vehicle.

02:54 Oh, so you have to maintain tanks, have to be maintained and you might not be able to fix it fully, but you have to be to communicate with the maintenance crew in the mechanic. That anything that's broken. What needs to be repaired. You have to order like, Parts stuff like that and the daily care of the vehicle from 113 to M2 with your Bradley Fighting vehicles. In one, a one and a little bit older. And I was even in Sheridan into tank that you can fire dancer, lately missile, that was in Germany.

03:45 Oh, okay. So what was what was it like when you went to basic training and was it what you expected?

03:56 Basic training was a lot of fun referred to go to the reception area. They paid you which is why I thought was really good cuz I really didn't have any money, but I wouldn't you only wanted in that condition. It was a lot of fun. You know, what I played Sports. I was a good shape and she wasn't really that hard to me. I thought it was very simple. We came from a strict family. And so it was easy. Just do what they tell you to do in your life would be easier.

04:35 Oh, wow, so when you were in the military, what years was that?

04:45 I was there, I went in 1981 and I really ended in 1940. Mm.

04:56 About 2,000 because I was in and out. I was like, Army Reserve and different times, and then at even a time, I work at a, would you call a contractor? And really, when you were basically a mercenary, but the new term for it now, is contracted security conference Muhlenberg, and the kbi, which is the company owned by Dick Cheney. Why he was your first over a well? How many bases were you assigned to in America or in the sea? And what was that? Like, as an African-American? And again, since that was in the 80s? It was pretty much fully integrated at that time, wasn't it?

05:54 There's a fully integrated at the time but you know what, it was still a racist system, but they were so many people of color that we had our own kind of clear and we stood together, actually the minority in the military, even to this day. I'm working in the military and the civilian world because just the nature of the business you in the business of War. You can go to combat anytime Main Street America, you didn't get promoted as fast as you don't the white guy.

06:39 Even though you were more knowledgeable, but

06:44 It was the joint suffering and kept you together and it kept. You come. I related to more like in the forties and fifties or even slavery time. I'm not saying we were slaves. We got paid and we would have paid well, but the strength in the barn or the minority Soldier would really, really strong.

07:08 Oh, wow. Can you give us an example of a situation? Where as that exemplify the minority Bond bites?

07:25 I mean, was it whatever you can think of?

07:29 Okay, Mike MOS 19th Delta. It's kind of which kind of specialized and thank God for Mom and you and my uncles and grandfathers. I had a academic and mechanical level that Rose Sonata other lot of older African-American pass. So it was easier for me to get into certain units were using predominant by white guys. And when you got there, two white guys always went to Challenger, man with you, you had to be tough and then

08:24 They would never want to fight you one-on-one. And so you bonded together for you. And then the more you came officiant in your MOS, the more than white guys respected. You and the brothers and sisters, they respected to you, because you can compete with the white guys doing any level in the military because Navy Seals Special Forces, but that's not really. The truth on the United States military is really run by minority's because mainstream America, they have better opportunities.

09:25 So they do go in and go in the officers or, or something like that. And so most African-Americans and you have you started the private and you work your way up, but to me, I thought it was a better deal because I became more proficient at my class because I had a more hands-on experience and then decide somebody just getting it rained and being in charge you in charge because you really don't know what to do with how many bases in America or around the country. Did you go to cuz I don't remember that. I was in Fort Hood, Texas. I was in French cafes. I spent most of my time overseas because I preferred or received because I thought the

10:24 States Army with more Mickey Mouse polishing, your boots are new uniform, making your dad, and I like to believe what I was and I wanted to do more military, combat things, not nothing, but I want you to feed the top of the game. I wanted to be able to know how to handle all the weapons. And when you are overseas and in urine and combat areas or areas big dog, that could be a combat situation. You got better weapons. You got better train.

11:09 Oh, okay, which I saw? You said you were in Germany. How did you like being in Germany as an African American in the military?

11:21 Jeremy was great. Germany is my favorite European country. I had no problem with the German, they were very welcome. Welcome me. Because at the time when I went in, you know, the Berlin Wall, you know, you had East and West Germany, my unit. We Patrol the DMZ and the whole Corridor. And, you know, the East Germans and the Russians with a real threat, to the Germans of West Germany to Germantown. There were really appreciative of all legit. They look at your car and under the impression of the Russian. At the time. It was funny because he thought his wife and

12:21 Watch, you have too much fear and prejudice against each other, which is usually in the state have against us.

12:30 So you gave you a different Outlook?

12:33 What are the countries? Did you visit besides Germany?

12:37 Korea. I was in Japan. I was in Australia. I was in Malta. I was in Eric cheese and Africa, I think the War on Drugs. I was in El, Salvador and Honduras. I was in the Congo.

12:55 Philippines.

12:58 And couple other countries are probably can't remember. Cuz he was there for like 72 hours or something like that. Friends saying, no, I lived in England for a while.

13:17 So, you were a military police to sounds like

13:21 What know when you are 19 Duggar, when you went to Calvary people do we don't get the propaganda of the Marine? But what is it tip of the Spear of US military? And something's going to go off. They like to put a cab unit there because we're

13:45 Warren unit, I don't have to call outside the regiment for air cover until we support, you no armor. Anything I could be done within the unit and actually the units were modeled after the German Panzer units. So basically we was a Panzer Army, the US.

14:11 This is very interesting. I had no idea you did all of this as my little brother. I swear. I did not know that. Did you receive any awards while you were in the military? I received some awards awards to all the way guys, you know, I can think, of example, that's still kind of burns me off.

14:44 When I was in Germany, we had to do a little bird border incursion and we were really about a mile 2 miles inside East Germany. And I spent a week. I spent more time on the ground there than any other guy in my

15:12 The tune. But when we got back all the white boys got the meds.

15:18 And you didn't get one at all. Nothing. No recognition.

15:24 The DJ gold and like the other brothers, they all knew and your, we were all upset. But what can you do? You can't really complain.

15:34 So I mean you could complain but I ain't going to do you too good. Just going to get you in the dog house. So it's just you know, I did it. I was there, you gave this guy that piece of paper when you gave you the ribbon, but we all know who is the top dog. So you have to take pride in that.

15:54 That's a good way to be so that leads to the next question. What did you learn about yourself in the military?

16:05 Endurance.

16:08 Frey. German nation was just the one thing and I do have a perspective on life that has to bring his don't have.

16:30 My wife. Now, we Filipino your drive been married.

16:34 3, * 4 *. When you go to a lot of third world countries and private countries, the mainstream population in Main Street. I mean, the Caucasian soldiers. They look down. Look down with people with less Economic Opportunity resources in, but when you are minority, you understand the struggle until you got along better with the indigenous population of whatever country in and they have more respect for you because

17:15 I'm probably getting off subject. A lot of our people like that. They call it the first one of the first things you had to dehumanize your enemy. So you give me name when when I was in Iraq and Afghanistan. They were Haji.

17:38 All movie Mahajan Africa, black people, be skinny, because another human being is easy for you to kill them.

17:50 I'll be flying to tell a lot of my brothers and sisters in that and they be trying to say where the N word is used to. Determine endearing said, no it make you kiss easy for you to kill your brothers and sisters.

18:07 And that leads me to my next question. Would you recommend jobs or anybody to join the military today? You had to go? I don't know, you know, from leave my retirement and me being a hundred percent. And you only had to take it $1,250 in semester and medical treatment for life. You see the VA? When I went to the Cleveland Clinic Cancer surgery, they pay for that. I didn't pay for anything. You know, I'm about to spend $2,000 to stay in Cleveland, or they pay for that when I went to divorce and I had other issues and problems the VA.

19:07 Gave me section 8.

19:11 A lot of the

19:14 Military system in the VA system.

19:20 You have to be in the soldier. You learn how to work the system to your vet, the benefit, you have to listen to work all the programs. So and but they're not going to tell you. That's another way of the Brotherhood. I call it most veterans black and white minority Lottery information. We get from mouth to mouth because the military organization but what, you know, you

19:55 Nothing, really.

19:57 They make a booklet, but they don't send the boogers out with the book is outdated. So what other than that, what, you know somebody in there that he told I felt I had a pretty good life. You know, I have a pretty good retirement now too. So I don't have too many. I can always complain, but you have to learn to look on the bright side of life. Amen to that. It sounds like you had a mission from military and civilian life, drugs and drinking a lot of combat vet. Still, I'm a big, proponent proponent.

20:54 Any type of combat that they should have a rest and relax station that you should go.

21:03 All the time. So you can come home and relax and then you can be on the time one day and 12 hours for 24 hours. Get back on your block.

21:21 You know, loud noises, your wife, your girlfriend, their body, by the gas, and electric bill. Does that stuff that really not important? So you need the time to have the transition from military life to Sabrina and because people don't realize like every minute of veterans commit suicide and I had to say, you know, I've been on suicide watch, I've been on, I've been on the 10th floor for you know, I've been to therapy stuff like that. It's not an easy transition and you can do it. How is therapy in Citrus and cinnamon?

22:14 Wow, I did not know that. That is something. I had no idea. I'm in Buffalo, New York and lot of people. I've got a pretty good VA here and is a veteran Community here and we really look out for each other here and other cities. I know they don't do that cuz I have a pretty tight here.

22:52 Well, it sounds like you still keep in touch with your military family. Do you get together and still Bond or half of your military family, have been dispersed throughout the country?

23:11 We're all doing until we get together. I go on base here. Jersey cab unit, in Niagara Falls Air Force Base here. And there you'd be sweet with deployed in the Ukraine and calves. We have like stuff like that and I'm pretty proud of units stadium. Does the guys are pretty tough and cool and then on Facebook, you know, I have guys who were doing the rides and it's still call me and talk to me and asked me for my advice and certain military matters. People don't really understand that. You've been there done that.

23:56 So you are a mentor. It sounds like to military vets who are still trying to navigate their way through the military and active. And as a retiree bride in the nursing home on Batavia VA. We talked to him every day. I'm surprised he's not calling me. Now. That's about the hockey game, and he really doesn't have that much family and friends, but me Juliet, Joselyn my wife and are the closest Family he's got and always took care of me and I try to take care of me, but Fight 2.

24:48 Oh good. So in the time that we have left, what would you say? Just in general, about the military experience, as an African American, man, at the age. And what's your hopes for going forward?

25:12 I have a lot of discussion with young guys when I was working security and I tried to tell him, the military is a good experience, but you have to go in there with a plan and ideal you want education. You want training health benefits and good to see the good in the world is good to see how other black people other minorities in the world lives in this world and not to have such a Caucasian ideal of the world.

25:55 And I would recommended and it's just like everything else. It's a job.

26:07 You're more educated in town, but I'll probably send. I've probably seen 90% more of the planet than you at.

26:16 Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. So I think this is a great opportunity because it gives me a better perspective of what the military license. Because when we get together as a family, that is something that we don't really talk about. And this has been an opportunity for me to discover our military history with my brother and my two uncles who also participated in this initiative. So I really appreciate you opening up about your experience. As I say, I never knew all of the places that you win and it's been such a great pleasure to be able to have a oral history of what you did in order to share. So, when Maya gets to be a young man, he can go back and say, I want to listen to

27:16 The members of my family, so I just want to say again. Thank you for your service and thank you again for being a fabulous brother.

27:27 Do I want to thank you for being a great big sister, and you really came to me through this cancer thing. I really needed you at the moment and you were really there for me. So, thank you.

27:41 You are welcome, and that's what family's for.

27:48 All I wanted.