Diane Otto Watkins wanted to become a professional musician after high school in 1973 but she didnât see many opportunities available for women.
She didnât have the money for college and she didnât see any jobs open for female musicians. So she joined the Womenâs Army Corps.
âMy parents told me I had to have a job and medical and dental and a roof over my head and be out of the house,â Watkins said.
During her senior year at Cedar Ridge High School in Matawan, New Jersey, she auditioned for the WAC Band in November 1972 at Fort Monmouth. She played clarinet for four years at Cedar Ridge. After she graduated from high school in June, she entered the Army on delayed entry at age 18.