Master Sergeant (MSG) Margarett “Margo” Linton:
MSG Linton was born in Simsboro, Louisiana. She attended Crawford High School and graduated from Arcadia High School, Arcadia, Louisiana. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Management from Philander Smith College in 2002. MSG Linton is the only one of the 12 children in her family who received a college degree.
MSG Linton’s remarkable military career started on September 12, 1973, when she joined the United States Marine Corps. She attended her Marine Corps Basic Training at Parris Island, South Carolina. After basic training, she was transferred to Camp Pendleton, California and worked in the Movement Corps Movement Coordination Center (MCMCC) as a Pay Transportation Clerk. MSG Linton was honorably discharged as a Sergeant (E5) from the U.S. Marine Corps on June 10, 1977. For her outstanding service in the Marine Corps, she received the Good Conduct Medal and a Letter of Appreciation.
Her career with the Arkansas Army National Guard began on September 12, 1978, when she enlisted into Detachment (Det) 1, 172nd Maintenance Company, Russellville. MSG Linton was the First African American Female assigned to Det 1, 172nd Maintenance Company. Her assignments included F-E System Repairman, Section Chief and Tank Turret Repairman. On March 1, 1983, she was reassigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 217th Maintenance Battalion in Russellville as a Clerk Typist.
MSG Linton was hired as a Legal Clerk in the Arkansas Army National Guard Military Technician Program on March 1, 1983, and assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, Fayetteville She was the first African American Female to work in a Full-Time status in the history of the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade. On January 1, 1984, MSG Linton was hired into the Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) Program. She was also the First African American Female hired in the AGR Program in the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade. While assigned to the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, she worked as an Administrative, Supply and Training Specialist (AST), Legal Clerk and Senior Legal Noncommissioned Officer (NCO).
On September 20, 1990, MSG Linton deployed with the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield/Operation Desert Storm. As a Sergeant First Class (SFC), she was the only female first-line leader during the deployment. MSG Linton has the honor of being the First Female in the Arkansas National Guard to receive the Bronze Star during Operation Desert Storm/Shield/Sabre.
On June 1, 1998, MSG Linton was transferred to the Arkansas Army National Guard Maneuver Training Center (ARARNG-MTC), Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. While assigned to ARARNG-MTC, she served as an Administration NCO and Range Scheduling NCO. On October 18, 1999, MSG Linton was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarter (-), 39th Infantry Brigade, Little Rock, and served as the Chief Legal NCO and Senior Administrative NCO for the 39th Infantry Brigade.
MSG Linton’s professional military education includes 64C Vehicle Operator Course, Unit Administrators Course; Basic NCO Academy Course, Legal Specialist Course, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana; Law for Legal Specialist Course, Judge Advocate General School, Charlottesville, Virginia; Primary Leadership Development Course, Camp Beauregard, Louisiana; Basic NCO Course, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana; Automation Security Course, National Guard Professional Education Center, Camp Robinson, Arkansas; Field Artillery Combat Lifesaver Course, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Advanced NCO Course, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana; Personnel Services NCO Course, NGPEC and Equal Opportunity Advisor’s Course, Camp Robinson; Equal Opportunity Advisor Reserve Component Course, Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida; and the Personnel Sergeant’s Course, NGPEC, Camp Robinson.
Her awards, decorations and qualifications include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Defense Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar and the special skill identifier, “Q” for Equal Opportunity Advisor.
MSG Linton retired on September 30, 2002, with over 27 years of exceptional military service. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Harry Amos in their home in Kempner, Texas. She attends Christian House of Prayer Church (CHOP) where she serves as a member of the choir. She is a graduate of the church’s Sonship School of the First Born and she volunteers her time by sewing robes for every new class and she sews robes for the 197 covenant churches that are located in Germany, Africa, and the United States. MSG Linton’s hobbies are sewing and reading Christian fiction books.