TAMMY MCCONNELL was never one to sit on the bench. Growing up on a dairy farm in Fayetteville, she learned the value of hard work and hustle. Basketball was her passion, and a full-ride scholarship to the University of Alabama in Huntsville offered a game-winning shot. But Tammy craved a different arena where the stakes felt higher — the purpose more profound. So, in 1989, she traded the hardwood for the rigorous training camp of the U.S. Army. This wasn’t a trick play but a full-court press toward a future filled with service and dedication.
McConnell didn’t fear challenges. She embraced the grit and discipline of military life, even when it meant swapping airborne dreams for the safer, unexpected role as a telecommunications operator. Stationed in Germany, she found herself on the frontlines of history during Desert Storm. The experience taught her the importance of clear communication, which she finds just as useful today.
Life as a soldier meant constant movement. From Germany to Arizona, Somalia, and Korea, McConnell navigated diverse landscapes and cultures while juggling deployments and motherhood’s joys (and complications). As a single parent in the military, it was challenging at times, but McConnell persevered, inspired by her son, Damion.
“He’s promoted me to every rank I held since being promoted to sergeant,” she said proudly.
In 2007, McConnell deployed to Al Asad Airbase in Iraq.
“During this assignment, I had two roles: first sergeant under the headquarters and headquarters company and the battalion senior resource sergeant. These duties included getting soldiers home for emergencies, reporting any changes in personnel due to casualties or incidents, and handling mortuary affairs by getting the fatalities ready for transport to Balad before they are flown back to the States for preparation for their families. It is the highest honor and respect that you can show to any service member at that given time,” she explained.
She never regretted her decision to enlist following high school graduation.
“The Army gave me a family and a sense of pride. You were able to be a part of something bigger than yourself,” she said. “Overall, it provided a great life and stability. My son, Damion, has always been my true inspiration for everything I’ve done and accomplished in my military career and my life overall.”
After nearly 24 years of service, McConnell, a master sergeant, hung up her uniform in 2013, turning down a sergeant major selection. But retirement wasn’t about slowing down. The desire to serve remained strong, and jobs at Walmart, the post office, and as a corrections officer failed to provide that sense of service. But with one phone call — a nudge from a former teacher — McConnell was back in familiar territory as the Lincoln County Veterans Service Officer.
As the first female veterans service officer in Lincoln County, helping veterans navigate the often-complicated maze of benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) fills her days. Every claim secured and bureaucratic hurdle cleared is a victory. McConnell connected area veterans to their share of $32,016,000 in the 2022 fiscal year in compensation and pension, not including the medical and educational benefits. There are over 3,000 veterans in Lincoln County, and the office also serves surrounding counties and areas in neighboring Alabama.
“I love my job, and I love my veterans. My job is to let them know they are important. It doesn’t matter how long they served or where they served because, to me, they all are special and deserve everything I can get for them to make their life easier,” she said.
The office assists veterans with filing claims and understanding benefits, which include in-home assistance, taking care of the veteran or their spouse, and transportation to and from medical appointments. Best of all, it’s all free.
McConnell’s passion extends beyond the confines of her office. She’s a proud volunteer with the Lincoln County Warrior Exhibit, a project that honors veterans from all walks of life. Here, too, her desire to connect and give back shines.
“We are all family,” she said. “Whether by kin or brothers and sisters in arms.”
McConnell’s story is one of dedication and a deep love for her country and the people who served it. She may not be on the frontlines anymore, but her mission remains the same: to serve with honor and to make a difference, one veteran at a time. Helping others is what she does.
“I am here to be helpful; it doesn’t matter who you are. If I can help one person — just one person a day — then I have made a difference in someone’s life,” she said, summing up her calling.
And that, for McConnell, is what it’s all about. GN
