Customer Reviews

Navy Greenshirt: A Leader Made, Not Born

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In this memoir Diane Diekman has given us both a compelling personal success story and a valuable document of American history.

The tale itself is dramatic enough: smart girl off a South Dakota farm joins the U.S. Navy and, against all odds, rises to the rank of Captain. In persistent detail, and with courageous candor, she spells out why such an achievement for any woman is especially difficult in "this man's Navy" -- the residual bias against females; the social exclusions; the daunting loneliness (at one point she is the only woman on a carrier with 3,700 men); having to decide when to be "one of the boys" and when to stand her ground; the personal cost of placing career above private yearnings for husband and family. She is not afraid to tell us that, yes, Naval officers can permit themselves to cry on bad days or nights. She notes her desperate but unsuccessful attempts to become pregnant without a man in her life, through artificial semination. (She now has two adopted daughters.)

Historically, this is an authentic record of the changing role of women in the U.S. military over the last few decades. The book offers useful guidance to others seeking to follow this career -- particularly in illustrating how, within the military system, one can overcome shyness with self-confidence and an aura of leadership leading to success.

Almost as a bonus the reader is treated to the flavor of Navy life: the never-ending competition for promotion; the traditions of social events; the obligatory partying (we get some insights to the "Tailhook scandal" of a decade ago); the required mobility. Standard for the naval careerist is variety in geography, from a Pacific island to Japan and Europe to the White House -- with frequent side trips.

"Join the Navy and see the world." Diane Diekman did just that, and a bit more. Her honest book about it makes for rewarding reading.

NOTE: The writer of this review is acquainted with some of the territory, having also grown up in rural South Dakota and experienced a career in the U.S. Foreign Service.

Great reading. I couldn't put the book down. I began reading it Saturday evening, and finished it Sunday afternoon. I was able to relate to so many of CAPT Diekman's stories. Many mistakes and lesson learned that the CAPT went through can be avoided by individuals who read this book. Sometimes we don't see the writing on the wall. CAPT Diekman managed to overcome many obstacles that few of us ever do. It was an encouragement to me to press on in the face of adversity.

After reading Dianne Diekman's story it would be hard to express greater admiration for the courage, dermination and tenacity that kept her motivated to achieve each milestone on her way to becoming a leader in the maintence department of our nation's air force. From the shy farm girl who attended a one-room schoolhouse to the commanding position she holds today, every challenge that confronted Dianne strengthened her resolve to surmount it. From air base to air base, each new assignment brought greater resonsibility as her duties esculated. And she mastered each one, never letting disappointments when co-workers weren't fair detour her. All the while, Dianne maintained her perspective and was respectful and considerate of those she commanded. Distressed by the serious illness of her beloved brother, her inability to conceive a child so she could become a mother, her long separtations from family, and the frequent wrenching from the bonds she formed at each current airbase assignment, she never-the-less did not waivered in her dedication to duty. I thrilled with Dianne as the plane she was in was catapulted from carriers; as she soared high above our country and foreign countries; and shared her feminine emotions when she was the only woman aboard ships. I'm happy to recommend Navy Greenshirt to anyone interesting in going step-by-step with Dianne, as she shows her transition from a young farm girl to a leader of distinction.

Mona Leeson Vanek
Freelance writer

Writing Consultant, Montana Arts Council
Writing instructor, "Access The World & Write Your Way To $$$

Diane Diekman joined the Navy as a young woman back in 1978 when few women were pursuing careers in the Navy. Diekman ended up in the Navy for her whole career, and she watched as the Navy changed from a mostly-male organization to an egalitarian one. From this point of view, the book is a fascinating insider look at the transition of one of our great institutions, and by extension it reports on the changes taking place in the larger culture. Diekman, of course, was not telling the tale as an observer. She was a participant. This was her life.

Most of us would like to think Coming of Age is finished by 20, but the older I get, the more I can see that Coming of Age keeps coming. Diane's story is a great example of how much a human being can learn and grow through the adult years. As she grew into her job in the Navy, she grew as a person, learning to lead, and becoming more confident. So the book shows a double evolution, of the Navy and of Diekman as a person.

I love tales of lifelong growing and changing and yet few of the bestselling memoirs tell the long story. That's too bad, because by reading about other people's interesting and productive lives it inspires me to live my own. Diekman's Green Shirts serves that purpose.

Ultimately, this is a story of hope. Hope that our culture and institutions continue to grow. Hope that a young person with integrity and ambition can find a place in the world that allows them to contribute and learn. And hope that over the years, people continue to increase their level of excellence, and willingness to make the most of life.