First Hispanic female general: Brig. Gen. Carmelita Vigil-Schimmenti Published Sept. 30, 2014 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Carmelita Vigil-Schimmenti was a pioneer as the first Hispanic female to obtain the rank of brigadier general in the United States Air Force in 1985. She attended Regina School of Nursing and received a nursing diploma. Since she worked on the base and decided to join the Air Force in 1958. She began her military career as a hospital nurse at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and served in the Pacific Theater during the Vietnam War. Throughout her career, Vigil held clinical, administrative and teaching positions throughout various places in the world. In 1966 she obtained a bachelor's degree in nursing and completed a master's degree in public health. In 1985, she became the first Hispanic female to attain the rank of general and was the first female general from New Mexico.