Genni Davis
2023 VETERANS DAY SPECIAL EDITION | U.S. AIR FORCE
PHOTOS BY VAST MEDIA
At what age did you join the military and how long did you serve?
"I joined the military when I was 29! I had planned to go on Active Duty; however, when I met with my Recruiter for the first time, I learned that the cut-off age for females at that time was 28, so I had just missed it! He introduced me to the Air National Guard as an alternative and that was significantly fine with me since I could be both military AND civilian - basically, having the best of both worlds. I re-enlisted 3 more times and ended up staying until I was able to retire."
What do you remember about the day you enlisted?
"The primary thing I remember about the day I enlisted was having my mom go with me. She didn't know where we were going, but we went to the base to meet with my Recruiter, who would also be meeting my mom for the first time. I think that she was a bit in shock to meet him, to be there, and then to be taken to meet with the Commander who would be facilitating the swearing-in. Being sworn in and taking the oath to defend my country, to even die for my country, felt so overwhelming and powerful. It was something that I had never said before in my entire life, and then I realized that most people never have nor would ever say those words. It gripped me with emotion; I just broke down and cried. My Commander comforted me and told me to take my time because I was feeling the same emotions that others before me had felt. I was so proud, so emotional, and so overwhelmed all at the same time. I left the base feeling like a forever-changed woman. Between 1994 and now, there has not been a moment that I regretted my decision. I would still be serving now if I weren't too old!"
What led you to join the military? How did you choose your branch of service?
"I had been married for 7 years, and for most of those years, my then-husband and I had talked many times about joining the military together. To make a long story short: I grew tired of just "talking" about it. I truly wanted to join the military and ultimately pursued it on my own without him. It was the day that I enlisted and returned home that I let him know what I had done. He was in a bit of shock, of course! I chose the Air Force because, after having scored so high on my ASVAB and being eligible to select any career path that I wanted (that didn't require a college degree at that time), I felt most proud to have chosen and pursued the Air Force."
How did you tell your friends and family that you were joining the military? Are there any conversations that stood out from that time?
“I didn't tell anyone until afterwards. No one knew -- not even my husband at the time. That's another story altogether!”
How did you imagine military life before joining? Did your perceptions change after serving?
“I didn't imagine military life too much prior to joining other than doing it with my husband, but I imagined having a lot of opportunities to see the world. That's all I knew would be what a future in the military would ensure. My perceptions changed afterwards with having joined the Air National Guard instead because I was still a civilian and only a part-time servicewoman. I had to still maintain a civilian job and pay all expenses that pertained to that, so my opportunities to see the world were reduced to only that for which I could afford on my own. One of my biggest "take-aways" from having served in the armed forces, though, was that there is no other brotherhood / sisterhood on the planet that equals that of those who willing to defend this country together and to die doing it so that all others may enjoy the freedoms that our great nation stands for. I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
Do you have any funny stories from your time in the service?
“Well, yes, and one that stands out the most is from way back at Basic Training! Keep in mind that I was NOT a young baby just right out of high school. I was 29 years old and had been out in the workplace and on my own already for more than 10 years. Having always been a happy and friendly person and NOT having been from a military background, I made a "mistake" one morning that I'll never forget! I actually SMILED at my Training Officer one morning, and oh, boy, was THAT the wrong thing to do! LoL! He got smack in my face -- almost touching my nose with his -- and accused me to no end that I was FLIRTING with him! When I spoke up and said that that was NOT at all what a smile on my face meant, it only compounded his accusations and the shame he tried to cast on me. THANKFULLY, I knew that he was just trying to break my spirit and trying to play those notorious "head games" that we all hear about, so I just took his verbal "crap" and just "carried on" like a true Airman (or Airwoman?) does. I sure never did that again, though! I maintained my "military bearing" from then on out!”
Were you ever deployed/did you ever serve overseas? If yes, what are some things you remember most about your deployment?
"Yes, I went to Germany for an entire month. I had never traveled overseas before and doing so for the first time by myself was exciting and scary all at the same time. I was stationed at Ramstein Air Base. I worked normal working hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, but I had plenty of freedom to go and do things afterward and on the weekends."
What was the transition back to civilian life like?
“There was no grandiose "transition", per se, other than after retiring, I remember feeling so grateful for not having to report for duty ever again on Drill Weekends or stressing out about possibly having a claustrophobia attack ever again when dawning those awful gas masks and bio-chemical war suits.”
What did you learn about yourself during your time in the service?
"That I am amazing! The upbringing that I was blessed with made me truly realize, fully understand, actually recognize, and fully honor my integrity, values, morals, and ethics. I now have a full understanding of these personal attributes that I didn't understand as a younger girl, and now these are a few of my anchors that I will never compromise."
Is there anything that you wish civilians understood better about military service?
“The incomparable depth of the oath of honor that is taken on behalf of all of us who choose to serve. It's huge and honorable and should not be taken lightly. We are blessed to be living in the greatest nation on earth; and we all - civilians and servicemembers alike - owe it to ourselves to be grateful for what we have, at the very least. There is nothing like the camaraderie among those who serve together...”
When did you begin your real estate career and why did you choose real estate?
“I began my pursuing my real estate career in 2014. The story behind that is one of "who would've ever guessed!" Chinowth & Cohen Broker Manager, Tudie Bryan (who I had known and worked with for many years, many years ago) had called me one day out of the clear blue to just say hello and to learn what I was up to. Knowing that I had to have a salary income, she encouraged me to go talk to Sheryl Chinowth and Lee Cohen about some full-time opportunities that they had available at the time in their Accounting Department, Leasing Division, Marketing Department, and Administrative areas among the various office locations. Well, in Sheryl Chinowth's fashionable and always infectious enthusiasm and encouragement to pursue real estate, I set out to do just that! No one knew about it other than the Director of Marketing (which is the opportunity that I chose and was offered a position), the Chinowth & Cohen family, and Tudie. I didn't want to announce it to anyone just in case I failed all the tests; but after hours and hours of hard work and the year that it took me to get it done while working full-time and having other obligations, I took and passed the test the first time in May of 2015!”
How do you think your time in the service influences your career as a REALTOR®?
“It's not necessarily because of my military service, but my military service is certainly instrumental in heightening my awareness to always "trust my gut" / trust my instincts. I also know to never compromise my integrity.”
What does Veterans Day mean to you?
"Before my mom passed away, on my birthday, September 29, 2021; I always anticipated that annual phone call from her, calling to thank me for my service and telling me how proud she was of me and how proud she was to be my mom. She's the only person who ever did that, and it always meant such a great deal to me, even if only my mom cared. I don't get to receive those phone calls anymore, so Veterans Day has lost a bit of "glory" for me; but in secret, I'm honored to have served and am proud beyond measure to be a Veteran. I'm so proud of all my fellow Veterans, too. I hold the value of service in high regard for each and every one of them."
What else would you like to share?
“One thing that I get to admit is being a member of the "9-G Club" - having been celebrated among 16 other Guardsmen at my 138FW Base for an outstanding accomplishment that awarded each of us Commendation Medals and a flight in an F-16! Who else gets to say that?! My Dad, my Uncle Jim, and co-worker at the time, Kevin Foster all got to watch me take off! I'll cherish the memories of that day forever!”
