A Day of Volunteering
One of the newest chapters in the Women Marines Association Queen City, NC-4 located in the Charlotte, NC area has been very busy.
On 29 April they found themselves wielding a variety of new implements. From post hole diggers to shovels to drills they got the job done.
Shining Hope Farms provides services to children and adults with disabilities. Robin Briggs and Christie helped with various tasks such as digging holes for a new fence, landscaping, and building picnic tables. This event was through Charlotte Bridge Home.
Charlotte Bridge Home helps Charlotte-area Veterans successfully transition home after military service by identifying their education, employment and healthcare needs and connecting them to available community, state and federal resources.
About WMA NC-1 Queen City
“Our Charlotte Chapter is comprised of different generations of Women Marines. We host meetings, dinners, and volunteer opportunities on a regular basis. You can be as involved as you like. We welcome everyone”, states NC-1 President Robin Parks Briggs.
Briggs goes on to say, “We are dedicated to volunteering our time to the Charlotte community. We pride ourselves on hard work and participation in collaboration with local high schools, businesses, and Nonprofits. If you have an event where you need volunteers don’t hesitate to reach out to Queen City WMA. We can be reached at NC4@womenmarines.org
One of the most recent activities was presenting the award for Outstanding Cadet in Leadership and Character at Ardrey Kell High School.
Our Officers
NC-4 President
Robin (Parks) Briggs is currently serving as the President of the Queen City Chapter. Robin enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1988. It was the obvious choice for her after being raised by a gung ho Vietnam Marine. Robin states that graduating from boot camp was the hardest and most rewarding thing she ever accomplished. Robin was selected to train as a Aviation Ordnance Munition Technician (6521). After attending schools at Naval Air Station, Millington, TN and Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, NC. Robin was stationed with MALS-24 at Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, HI. Robin was given orders to go to Desert Shield/Storm and spent 6 months attached to MALS-11 in Bahrain, a small island off the coast of Saudi Arabia. This was a very exciting time. After returning from Bahrain, Robin was honorably discharged as a Lance Corporal (E-3). Robin is currently married with 2 children and 2 step children. She works for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Charlotte, NC.
NC-4 Vice President
Christine Weber currently serves as the Vice President of the NC-4 Women Marines Association, Queen City Chapter. Christine Weber is a native of Charlotte, NC and joined the Marine Corps May 22, 1995. Christine served as a Parachute Rigger (MOS 0451) until Oct 1, 2008 when she was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant (E-6). Her MOS involved packing parachutes and rigging cargo for airdrop. Throughout her time she had the privilege of becoming the first female Jumpmaster in the Marine Corps as well as attending the following schools: Basic Airborne, Jumpmaster, Pathfinder, Joint Airdrop Inspector, Hazmat Certification for Transportation, and Parachute Rigger School to name a few. The highlight of her Marine Corps career was participating in the 55th Anniversary ceremony for the Battle of Iwo Jima. Christine also served as a casualty escort for two Marines killed in Fallujah, Iraq in 2004. Throughout her time in the Marine Corps she enjoyed being a Marine and believes the hardest thing she has ever done is to leave the Marine Corps.
NC-4 Secretary
Kelly Arroyo enlisted into the Marines Corps in 2009 as a MT Mechanic (3521). She was stationed in Okinawa, Japan with MWSS 172. After leaving Japan she joined 2nd Maintenance Battalion in Organics Platoon. Cpl Arroyo completed MRAP course in Okinawa and was awarded a Certificate of Commendation for superior performance of duty while serving as Global Combat Support System Marine Corps Clerk. She was honorably discharged in 2013. She is currently the secretary of the NC-4 Charlotte Chapter of the Women Marines Association.
NC-4 Treasurer
Kayla Nelson enlisted in October 2005-2009. On active duty she trained as a Disbursing Technician (3432) at Camp Johnson. She was then Stationed at MCAS Miramar in 2006-2007 as part of H&HS Battalion. She earned the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and over 30 letters of recognition for work accuracy/professionalism and as the leader of the base-wide community volunteer program. She was then stationed in Okinawa, Japan on Camp Foster as a part of CLR-37, from 2007-2009
After her Active duty service Kayla transitioned to reserve service. While a reservist she served in Charlotte, NC with CLB-451 and lateral moved to 3043 Supply Administrator from 2010-2011.
Kayla then worked in Corporate IT in Charlotte from 2012-2017. She currently resides in Oregon and is the founder of a business solutions company.