A powerful conversation with Carmencita Pinckney reveals the journey of a remarkable woman whose life has been defined by service—first in uniform, and now as a tireless advocate for fellow veterans.
Born on a Navy base to a Vietnam veteran father, Carmencita grew up immersed in military culture, moving between bases from Puerto Rico to California. This foundation led her to enlist in 1986, ultimately serving two years active duty in the Navy followed by 18 years in the reserves, including time with both Navy and Marine Corps Reserve units. As a Religious Program Specialist, she found her calling in a role centered around supporting others—a mission that continues to drive her today.
Carmencita's story weaves through formative experiences like boot camp in Orlando and her time stationed in Norfolk, where she first encountered a suicidal veteran while cleaning a chapel. That pivotal moment foreshadowed her future work at the Detroit VA as a peer support specialist, helping veterans navigate mental health challenges and connecting them with crucial resources.
What stands out in Carmencita's narrative is her unwavering commitment to veteran advocacy even after medically retiring due to debilitating migraines. She now volunteers helping veterans understand and apply for benefits they've earned but often don't realize they qualify for. "Many veterans don't think of themselves as veterans because they served for two years and never saw combat," she explains, highlighting common misconceptions that prevent former service members from accessing their entitled benefits.
Carmencita remains actively involved with programs like the Southeast Michigan Veterans Stand Down and promotes resources including the Honor Flight program and Women's Veterans Conference. Her message resonates with compassion born from personal experience: "We don't have to be alone in our homes. We don't have to be silent about what we're going through. Somebody else is going through it and somebody else might have a resource to connect them to benefits we all have earned."
Ready to connect with veteran resources? Reach out to your state's Veterans Affairs Agency or join Carmen at upcoming events designed to support those who've served.
