Oral history of Brian Shamis
Clemson University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives A video recording of an in-person interview conducted by Averi Brice with Petty Officer Brian Shamis on April 4, 2023, in Clemson, SC. Born in September 1973, Shamis joined the United States Coast Guard influenced by his experience being rescued by the Coast Guard after becoming stranded on an island as a teenager.
Shamis enlisted in 1993 and his first assignment was aboard the United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Messenger, a tugboat at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland. He worked as a fireman's apprentice maintaining ship engines and assisting with ship movements and repairs. He went on to become a machinery technician and transferred to Southwest Harbor, Maine, where he served as boat engineer and boarding officer conducting fisheries inspections. In his final two years, Shamis transitioned to the Coast Guard Reserve in Savannah, Georgia, and then attended Clemson University.
Oral history of Charlotte Becker
Clemson University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives A video recording of an in-person interview conducted by Averi Brice with Sergeant Charlotte Becker on October 20, 2023, at Clemson University.
Becker first joined the United States Coast Guard in 2003 serving aboard the United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Aspen. However, after struggling with seasickness, she was medically discharged and reenlisted in the United States Army in 2004 as a wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. In 2005, Becker deployed to Iraq, first serving as a driver for Civil Affairs, placed at Forward Operating Base Rustamiyah, conducting Hearts and Minds operations. She transitioned to a vehicle recovery team and repaired and extracted damaged Humvees. She was later stationed in Hawaii and Fort Stewart, supporting Military Police, engineering, and chemical response units before leaving the Army in 2012, disillusioned with policy changes forcing soldiers out of service.