Veronica P. Miller

Veronica P. Miller joined the military at the age of 34 in 1983. Her decision to serve was drawn by her desire for uniform, structure, discipline, and a regimented lifestyle. She would follow in the footsteps of her father, who served at Fort Dix in New Jersey. 

When initially joining the military, Miller found early discrimination towards single parents, which would delay her entry. After fighting through the adversity, she was able to utilize the C.A.S.T program (Civilian Acquired Skills). Miller would then join at the age of 34 and begin her 22-year career of service. She was able to bypass Advanced Individual Training (A.I.T) due to her proficiency in clerical administration. Miller started her basic training at Fort Dix and found she was significantly older than her peers. This was challenging, yet she pushed through and did not allow age to impact her performance. 

After Basic, Miller was immediately transferred to Sea Girt, New Jersey. The military specialty she had trained as was not readily available, so she cross trained as a truck driver, and served primarily as a dispatcher for the majority of her career. This assignment was able to keep her close to home in Asbury Park and Neptune, New Jersey; Miller spent 12 years at Sea Girt. During her time there, she had to move every vehicle off base due to flooding or bad storms rolling in which could cause significant amounts of damage. Later in her career, Miller was moved to Dover, New Jersey and out of B Company.

In 1991, Miller showed true determination and bravery by volunteering to go to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield/ Desert Storm. This opportunity was a pivotal moment in her career – to prove herself in combat situations. Her duties were critical to Logistics, which involved movements of supplies, personnel, and ammunition between operating bases and cities. Miller recalled the transition from Operation Desert Shield to Desert Storm, which caused high levels of stress, vigilance, and anxiety. During the interview, she brought up the topic of Scud missiles, and how the anxiety of chemical warfare can impact someone.

In Iraq, Miller was injured in a truck accident and hurt both her head and her back. She received treatment in-country for the injuries; no wounded troops were sent elsewhere for treatment if they could walk, talk, and chew. After being released from treatment, Miller was put on light duty but still had to stand guard duty which was unfair due to her back injury, as she had to wear a vest that weighed down on her back.

After returning stateside and enjoying peacetime for two years, Miller returned to Active Duty in 2003 for a 2-year deployment to Camp Taji, Iraq, a former Iraqi air base that was taken over by U.S forces. An interesting topic she brought up was the training the soldiers had in sexual harassment and the manner in which to behave with one another. She mentioned allowable language in the field among troops, and how soldiers had to be trained in this matter, so even if one did not think they were being offensive, they were still liable for their actions due to the training received.

In 2004 while Miller was still in Iraq, the Abu Ghraib Prison scandal about detainee abuse was revealed. An investigation was opened by the U.S military after reports that prisoner abuse by US troops occurred there. Disturbing photographic evidence came out, which ignited a political outcry and reflected poorly on the U.S military. Miller had reflected on this and had difficulty believing it. She stated that it painted a picture that the soldiers were careless and brutal toward others.

Miller had earned several achievements; she received the Sergeant Major coin which was for reaching the rank of Sergeant Major. Her most cherished reward is a medal the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia gave to the soldiers who served in the country during the Gulf War. After a two-year tour in Iraq this would ultimately end her career in the military returning to the United States in 2005. The hardest part about leaving the military for Veronica Miller was how she was going to miss the comradery and the team attitude that being in the military offered her. She is a member of Disabled American Veterans and is a recipient of the Quilt of Valor.

Additional Resources:

• I Believe in Serving and Giving
• Neptune vet being recognized for military service with Quilt of Valor
• Neptune Resident Veronica Miller Honored by Assembly Members and Local Officials
• Ghana Session: Celebrating Women’s History Month with Veronica Miller