Introductions
How the military (and Mardi Gras) led this memoir author to Germany
"As an introvert," says memoir author
Cora Ann Metz, "I prefer my own company, don't like crowds or noisy places and people, and work best in quiet or silence." Whether she speaks for most of us or not—and I believe she does—her temperament has helped her achieve quite a bit. "I am compiling stories I have written over the years. I will include some of them in my first book after dragging my feet for years.
ChapterBuzz has provided me with an avenue to hone my writing skills and move forward with my first book."
After growing up in New Orleans, Cora's military career took her to Germany, where she now lives. "I joined the Army to escape an abusive husband and to take better care of my two daughters," she says. "Now, I am a retired U.S. Army veteran who served twenty-two years, mostly in Germany. I also retired from the DOD [Department of Defense] after ten years as a security professional. I still love PB&J sandwiches, candied apples, and bubble gum. The kid in me never left."
Now, Cora is writing about her experiences in her soon-to-be-published memoir,
From Combat Boots to German Castles, and I jumped at the chance to interview her.
Welcome, Cora! Why are you drawn to the world of self-publishing?As a fledgling writer, I don't have to navigate the dismissive and condescending publishing world to get my book published. I think the indie genre is more user friendly for newcomers like me. I sent a few of my articles to different magazines without any success. The rejections made me feel like I was not good enough. I got discouraged, but I didn't give up on writing. The
Stars and Stripes published a few of my articles while I was in Germany.
What do you like best about living in Germany?I love the order, discipline, and cleanliness of living in Germany and Europe (much like my childhood in New Orleans and Army life). Everything is clean, everything has its place, rules are followed for the most part, and I have found that Germans are the most honest and considerate people on this planet. I have found kindness and acceptance in the most unexpected places. German drivers are super courteous!
What was one of the biggest challenges about your military service?As a black female in military intelligence, I was often the only black
or female in my courses. Overcoming discrimination, racism, and sexism strengthened me and helped me rise to challenges and lose my fear of the unknown.
What interesting things did you learn in the military?Because of my high score on the Army entrance exam, the Army put me into the signals intelligence course at Fort Devens, where I learned Morse code. I never would have chosen this field of service for myself. When I found out the Army was going to send me to Korea as a Morse code inteceptor for twelve months, I could not bear being away from my children for that long. I was able to transfer to a stenographer course and finally to military intelligence with a follow-on assignment to the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, for the Russian and German courses.
Were there some harrowing moments or experiences?I was fortunate to land assignments working for two four-star generals in Heidelberg, Germany. Working for these two generals was my best Army assignment. I got to travel with one on his private plane and deploy with one to a military tunnel location in western Germany, near the French border. In September 1981, I was at work when the Red Army Faction, a terrorist group, attempted to assassinate one of these generals. I was there when he came to work right after he and his wife were released from the U.S. hospital in Heidelberg with a few scratches after the attack.
The Red Army Faction conducted bank robberies and engaged in terrorist bombings and arson, especially of West German corporations and businesses and of West German and U.S. military installations in West Germany. They also kidnapped a U.S. general, but he was rescued safely.
What's your biggest professional achievement so far?Being awarded the NCMS Industrial Security award in 2011. Security professionals from all over the world are members of the NCMS. The NCMS board of this organization recognized me for my contributions to the personnel security field at a time when I worked for an extremely racist organization in Germany. That organization blocked any and all attempts I made to improve their security program and correct security violations, which could have shut down that organization (a military intelligence unit!) Their security program was the worst! This was a very dark and difficult time in my career as a DOD civilian. The racism, discrimination, and ageism were backbreaking and unlike anything I had ever experienced in the Army. The organization never recognized me for getting the NCMS award.
Tell us about From Combat Boots to German Castles, the memoir you're working on.As a black woman who has navigated complex areas of power, racial challenges, and identity in her U.S. Army uniform, Cora shares powerful, sometimes humorous, always human stories that honor voices often left out of official narratives. Her work blends memoir, history, and cultural reflection, bringing readers face to face with resilience, injustice, and the surprising moments of connection that make life unforgettable.
What forces are guiding you through life right now?My mom died in my arms. Years later, losing my brother and sister, my most ardent supporters, took a heavy toll on me. I have found that the best way to honor them and make them proud of me is to continue writing. I survived two knee replacement surgeries on each knee. One was brutal and almost took me out. But my faith in God carried me through these dark periods. My parents and grandparents taught me simple but powerful values: respect others, always tell the truth, treat people the way you want to be treated, and never lose your sense of humor. Those lessons, along with my faith in God, guide me daily.
Military life also gave me countless experiences which generated stories—some funny, some difficult, all unforgettable—that continue to inspire my writing. Growing up with Mardi Gras gave me a love for culture, good food, and celebration. So, I felt right at home the first time I set foot in Germany, where Fasching and other local festivals remind me of that same Mardi Gras spirit. I enjoy finding connections between my Louisiana roots, European traditions, and sharing those discoveries through some of my stories.
Before you leave, be sure to check out Cora's work-in-progress,
From Combat Boots to German Castles, here on ChapterBuzz!
Cora Ann Metz is a writer from New Orleans, Louisiana, who has been residing in Germany since 2008 and loving it there. A single parent of two daughters, Cora has five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. After a 22-year career in the U.S. Army and 10 years as a DOD security specialist civilian, Cora is now fully retired. In 2011, she received the prestigious NCMS Security Award for security professionals. Her hobby is writing about personal events in her life and her Army service, and some of her articles have been published in
Stars and Stripes. Cora is currently working on her first book.
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