Christine Robbins

Template:Christine Robbins

Early Life

Christine Robbins (born Christine Marie McMillan) was born on November 6th, 1950, to a patriotic family in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Her father was a carpenter who had served in World War II as a Marine for 6 years, and her mother was a homemaker. She has three brothers and one sister. Robbins primarily attended Catholic schools and earned spending money during the summers by babysitting and working in the Green Giant canning facility. Additionally, she was a waiter at Friday night fish fry events at the American Legion in Beaver Dam. Chris and two of her brothers decided to enlist when military recruitment officers came to her high school during her junior year. Though she had little idea of what she was getting into, Chris unhesitatingly enlisted in the US Navy because of her long standing desire to serve her country. She graduated in 1969 from Beaver Dam High School and left for basic training in October of the same year.

Military Career

Hunter Hall, home of the US Naval Reserve's WAVE program, is where Chris completed her basic training

In October of 1969, Robbins flew to Bainbridge, Maryland. She attended basic training with her best friend Kriss for thirteen weeks; they were in Company 13 of the US Naval Reserve’s woman branch known as WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).

Chris in her Navy uniform during basic training

WAVES was established in 1942 for most branches of military, but it had been restricted down to the Navy during the Vietnam era. Most women like Chris who enlisted at this time wound up serving in nursing and administrative duties. By mastering that role, Chris was one of the many women who saved the Navy from becoming submerged in paperwork during the Vietnam War.

Charleston, South Carolina

After completing basic training, Chris was stationed in Charleston, South Carolina, at a Navy legal service office doing administrative work and using her secretarial skills that she learned in WAVES. Chris handled work for court marshals, captains, and disciplinary proceedings. She absolutely loved being part of the military culture. Wearing her uniform and being on base was something that she looked forward to daily.

London, United Kingdom

In 1972 Christine was transferred to London and began working in Naval Communications. Her duties included scheduling minesweepers in Vietnam, which worked to clear out mines and maintain safe shipping and travel. During this time, she often felt pressure to hide the fact that she was in the military due to the stigma towards service people stemming from high antiwar sentiments. She worried that she would be targeted by protests if she wore her uniform in public. This was very different from in Charleston where she always wore her uniform proudly. Christine served two years in London and went from a seaman to a yeoman, finally leaving in 1974 as an Administrative second class petty officer. She returned to the states and attended college in North Carolina.

Post Active Duty

When she got out of active duty, Chris joined the Army Reserve and had the opportunity to go to college to get a two year associate's degree provided by the GI Bill. The GI Bill provides access to many forms of education, such as college and business schools, technical and vocational courses, apprenticeships and job training, as well as flight training. By getting this education she was appointed to Warrant Officer One as a military officer technician. This position ranks above enlisted individuals but below officers; however, they get the same rights as officers. For many years Chris continued serving in the Army Reserve where she rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Four, with Warrant Officer Five being the highest rank. This was a big accomplishment in her military career and showed the dedication and strength she personified.

Personal Life

William and Chris Robbins together while in the Army Reserves

Chris met her husband, William Robbins, in the Army Reserve. Chris worked in the operations office, while William worked in the maintenance office, which were across the hall from each other. The two would frequently make excuses to visit each other's offices.

William and Chris married on June 13, 1981, at the Army Reserve Center in Beaver Dam

They married on June 13, 1981, at the Army Reserve Center in Beaver Dam. Chris and William have three children together. At times it was difficult for her to balance having three kids and a full time job, but it was her husband who kept her motivated and helped her through hard times. Her three children went to La Follette High School and received a patriotic upbringing similar to Chris’ own.

Post Military

After retiring as Chief Warrant Officer Four, Chris and Bill moved to Madison, Wisconsin. There, Chris spent most of her time taking care of her three children and sending them to school. Currently, Chris and her husband are members of multiple veterans organizations and still actively participate in various veteran activities. Their goal is to give back to the military for all that the military has given them.

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