Description:
Carol Musselman Kain was born in 1957, in Flemington, New Jersey, and raised in Washington, Warren County. The youngest of three children, she grew up in a rural community. Her father, Harold Musselman, was a World War II veteran and high school science teacher, while her mother, Kathryn, was a teacher and librarian. Carol’s upbringing was filled with outdoor adventures, gardening, and early responsibilities that prepared her for a life of service.
In 1976, at age eighteen, Carol enlisted in the United States Navy, beginning a nineteen-year career. She trained as a Yeoman and was part of the first company of women to be issued pants with their dress uniforms--a sign of changing times. Her first assignment was at CINCPAC in Hawaii, where she worked in a secure vault handling classified documents. She quickly adapted to joint-service operations and built lasting friendships while embracing the local culture.
Carol’s career took her to the Pentagon, Naval Military Personnel Command, and overseas to Iceland, where she experienced Cold War tensions firsthand. She later served aboard the USNS Pawcatuck and USS Holland, managing personnel records and leading duty sections. Her leadership and adaptability were evident during deployments, including a six-week voyage to Guam, where she helped re-homeport the Holland.
Throughout her service, Carol witnessed and contributed to the evolving role of women in the military. She saw the integration of women into previously male-only roles and ships, and she advocated for equal treatment and opportunity.
Carol retired in 1995 under the Temporary Early Retirement Authorization program, shortly after the birth of her son, Patrick. She pursued higher education, earning her bachelor’s degree. She worked as a substitute teacher and taught at an alternative high school. Today, Carol remains active in her church and veteran support programs, including a therapeutic horse program.
The Rutgers Oral History Archives received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State. In the 2024-2025 cycle, this grant assisted the ROHA staff in making this oral history available to you for your use.