Military Personnel Technician
Mrs. Charlene Purnell

I was born in Peckville, Pennsylvania (Pocono Mts.) – a long time ago. I graduated from Western Wayne High in 1977. Began Federal Service in 1978 at Tobyhanna Army Depot, Tobyhanna, PA.

In 1981 I joined the U.S. Army. After basic training at Ft. Dix, NJ and AIT at Ft. Sam Houston, TX (for Dental Assistant), I went home for six weeks and worked with the local recruiters as a “Hometown Recruiter”.

My first duty station was Ft. Jackson, SC where I served in the 257th Medical Detachment. After 10 months I accepted a swap with someone and was reassigned to Ft. Monmouth, NJ. (A swap is just trading assignments with someone) Following one year at Ft. Monmouth I was reassigned to the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. I was there Dec 1983-Dec 1984. After returning to the U.S., and spending the holidays with my family, I reported to Ft. Carson, CO. This is where I met my husband, then, SGT Purnell.

I was married to SFC Purnell in August 1988. We have two children, Lucas who is 12 and Christy, 8. We also have two spoiled rotten dogs, Blackie and Abbey, and one guinea pig, Heidi.

As a family member I’ve lived in five different states and have moved nine times in the years since we married. The Army has taken us to Pittsburgh, PA; Hawaii (my favorite); Ft. Gordon, GA; Ft. Jackson, SC and last, but not least, La Crosse. I now have over 17 years of federal service and life is good. I stay busy with the children and all their activities and I am also very active in my church. I guess those are my hobbies – children and church.