Army ROTC First Female Cadet Commissioned at the
2LT Christine Agatsuma Rigby – Commissioned as Signal Corp on May 21, 1976
Cadet Agatsuma Rigby accepting the Denver Post Award.
After graduating from the with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Christine did active duty training for 3 months at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Due to her then husband being in the Navy, she had to serve in the reserves. Her first reserve unit was located at Churchland, Virginia, 3rd of the 318th. The unit was eventually moved to Fort Story, Virginia. During this time, she served as the XO of the company. After a while the mission of her unit changed from Signal Corps to Infantry training.
Cadet Rigby practicing the Art of Self-Defense with Cadet Vickie Nichols from U of A. Both cadets were assigned to Company “A” at the 1975 Fort Lewis ROTC Advanced Camp. Photo courtesy of PFC Annemarie Nicholson, 24 June 1975, 9th Division, Fort Lewis, WA.
Back then women were not allowed in combat units but Christine remained in position. She served 6 years with that unit but finished her last two years in the inactive reserves. Christine was promoted to Captain but she resigned her commission after completing her full eight year obligation to the U.S. Army.
Cadet Rigby having her 2LT bars pinned on by her mother at her commissioning ceremony.
2LT Christine Agatsuma Rigby with Signal Corps, first assignment after being commissioned.