Gracie McPherson

Mechanic with 8 years of experience in the Department of Defense and military service, specializing in mechanical maintenance and office administration. Proven skills in quality assurance, organizational management, and computer networking. Experienced in general office tasks, enhancing operational efficiency through effective communication and administrative support.

Seeking to build on my technical and leadership experience in a role that values efficiency, communication, and organization in a more sustainable and less physically intensive setting.

• I volunteered for nearly three consecutive years during my enlistment in Eagle Pass, Texas, with orders labeled "indefinite." For the first year and a half, I was assigned to build fences along the river. After a week of training in Del Rio, I was sent to Eagle Pass, where I was placed on the concrete team from the start.
• We worked set hours, consistently exceeding daily targets, and gave our best every day. I oversaw the operation of the skid steer and auger, and when a concrete truck was unavailable, my team and I mixed the concrete by hand using shovels and wheelbarrows to pour into post holes.
• The work was physically demanding, but our team thrived together, building a strong sense of camaraderie. We quickly became a close-knit family, supporting each other through long days. We were the first team to start work each morning, and once our job was done, we helped other teams complete their tasks.
• When our company disbanded, I was reassigned to transportation, where I learned to operate a fully loaded big rig and safely chain down oversized equipment, including bulldozers.
• Not long after, I was attached to the Military Police (MPs), where I worked armed security shifts guarding the base camps. These camps housed both soldiers and civilians working on the mission. My role was to control the flow of traffic, ensuring that only authorized personnel with the proper credentials entered the camp. We also had mobile shifts, patrolling the perimeter and checking vehicles parked near the camp. During these shifts, we ensured VIP access and parking, and any illegal activity near the camp, such as undocumented individuals, was reported to Border Patrol.
• In addition to these duties, I worked as an administrative clerk, tracking the whereabouts of everyone in the company. I communicated with team members and other clerks via email, phone, text, and in person. I attended meetings with the task force's administrative staff, keeping accurate records of personnel files and maintaining copies of all relevant documentation. I also assisted with IT tasks, transporting computers to and from the tech team.
• Operation Lone Star provided me with the opportunity to network and collaborate with people from all over the world, including military personnel, civilians, and even illegal immigrants. The mission was a powerful lesson in teamwork and solidarity. We were all there for each other, enduring the longest, hottest days, and making the most of our downtime, even during leave.
• This mission was one of the most formative experiences of my career. It helped shape my character as I transitioned from my early twenties to my late twenties. The lessons I learned—about teamwork, perseverance, leadership, and the importance of staying united during difficult times—will stay with me throughout my life and into future endeavors.

• Following the events surrounding George Floyd's death and with the Presidential Elections approaching, tensions were high across the country, leading to riots in major cities. In response, the Texas Army National Guard was activated rapidly. I was among those called to duty, and we underwent Civil Disturbance Training before being deployed to Austin.
• Upon arrival, we were pleasantly surprised by the accommodations, which exceeded our expectations. I was once again working alongside many of the same individuals I had worked with during the Hurricane Harvey mission, and our ability to work and collaborate effectively as a team continued.
• I was assigned to the Quick Reaction Force (QRF), as well as regular rotations guarding the Governor's Mansion and the Texas State Capitol. My team and I interacted with civilians of all backgrounds and ages, many of whom were strongly opposed to our presence. Throughout these interactions, I was expected to always maintain military bearing and integrity.
• Despite the tension and hostility from certain individuals, I was able to serve while maintaining a calm and composed demeanor. This experience further honed my ability to manage high-stress situations and remain professional in the face of adversity.

• During the 2021 statewide freeze in Texas, I was unable to reach my unit in Abilene due to hazardous weather and road conditions. Once again, I found myself working alongside people I was mostly unfamiliar with.
• I was stationed in Corpus Christi and assisted a Sergeant First Class I knew from my day-to-day duties. Together, we acted as liaisons between the National Guard and the Air Force, who had flown in on C-130s to drop large pallets of water. Our mission was to ensure the water was distributed to locals in need of clean water along the Texas Coast.
• The Coast Guard had a hangar where we stored the water, and during my time there, I had the opportunity to meet a Coast Guard member and inspect their helicopters up close. This experience inspired me to pursue a pilot's license.
• While this mission was relatively short and straightforward, it showcased my ability to adapt to unexpected situations and environments that disrupted my usual routine. It also emphasized my capacity to maintain a positive attitude and "find the good stuff," no matter the circumstances. I was able to contribute effectively, even in a challenging and unfamiliar setting.

• Only a few months after completing Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT), I was activated and sent to Katy, Texas, to assist with the aftermath of the hurricane. At the time, I had not yet established any solid relationships with my team, having only drilled once or twice prior to activation.
• After a long convoy from Abilene, Texas, which included an overnight stay in a parking lot, we arrived in Katy, where we spent two weeks on the ground. As part of a platoon-sized element, we were divided into smaller teams, each with specific tasks. My squad was responsible for 24/7 operations, split into day and night shifts.
• Our primary responsibility was maintaining military vehicles used by other units to rescue survivors. Many of these vehicles had sustained significant water and electrical damage due to the flooding. In between our shifts, we were housed in a closed hotel that had also been damaged during the storm. With no staff on site, there were no fresh linens, towels, or drinkable water, and our only downtime was spent either in the damaged hotel or the repair shop.
• This mission proved to be a defining experience in my military career. It was an opportunity for me to demonstrate my capabilities as a woman mechanic in the Army, setting the tone for those who followed me and honoring the trailblazers who came before. It instilled in me a deep sense of resilience and determination, qualities that continue to shape my work ethic and approach to challenges.

• Hurricane Harvey

August 2017

Katy, Texas

• Texas Freeze/Statewide Outages

February 2021

Corpus Christi, Texas

• Civil Disturbance Operation

(George Floyd/Elections)

November 2020

Austin, Texas

• Operation Lone Star

Del Rio/Eagle Pass

2021-2024