Background
Vigil-Schimmenti was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she lived at her family"s ranch between Edgewood and Moriarty.
Vigil-Schimmenti was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she lived at her family"s ranch between Edgewood and Moriarty.
She graduated from Saint Mary's High School in 1954.
Vigil-Schimmenti was the Chief of the U. South Air Force Nurse Corps, Office of the Surgeon General. Headquarters United States. Air Force, Washington, District of Columbia In 1957, she received her nursing diploma from the Regina School of Nursing of Albuquerque. Vigil-Schimmenti joined the United States. Air Force in 1958 and was assigned to the Air Force Nurse Corps.
From August 1958 until September 1960, she served as an operating room nurse and general duty nurse at the United States Air Force Medical Center Wright-Patterson, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
During the time she served at the United States Air Force Medical Center Wright-Patterson, she was able to complete the flight nurse course at Gunter Air Force Base in Alabama. In 1960, Vigil-Schimmenti was assigned as a general duty nurse at United States Air Force Dispensary, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, where she served until May 1962, when she was transferred to the 9th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Tachikawa Air Base, Japan, where she was a flight nurse until August 1964.
In August 1964, Vigil-Schimmenti left to attend the University of Pittsburgh and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1966. In July 1966, she was assigned to the United States Air Force School of Health Care Sciences, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, as an instructor in the Medical Service Specialist Course.
Vigil-Schimmenti served in the Pacific during the In June 1968, Vigil-Schimmenti, was named the charge nurse in the school health program and primary care screening nurse at United States Air Force Dispensary, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa.
In January 1971, she returned to the United States and was assigned to David Grant United States Air Force Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base, California, as charge nurse emergency services and primary care clinic, charge nurse oncology clinic and home care service. Vigil-Schimmenti attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill from August 1973 until August 1974 and earned a Master of Public Health degree. Following graduate studies, she was transferred to Wilford Hall United States Air Force Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, where she served as charge nurse, clinical coordinator and facility design coordinator.
Vigil-Schimmenti served in various positions until March 1983, when she was selected as command nurse, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.
She assumed the duties of Chief of the U. South Air Force Nurse Corps, Office of the Surgeon General. Headquarters United States. Air Force, Washington, District of Columbia During her service years she attended the Air War College and the Inter-Agency Institute.
Among Brigadier General Carmelita Vigil-Schimmenti"s decorations and medals were the following: Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal National Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with five oak leaf clusters. Badges: Flight Nurse Badge Air Force Medical Badge.
