1ST WAC SEPARATE BATTALION, CHARLIE COMPANY • SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WWII WAC REENACTORS
Charlie Co. is definitely a family. We're here to make friends and support one another, and trust us when we say every single member welcomes new recruits with open arms! As you can see we are assigned ranks to not only incorporate a sense of realism to our displays, but to also denote each members' responsibility. Everyone contributes something special to the unit, and our goal is to help our members learn in the area they wish to grow.

Leadership

Founding member and current unit leader, Michaela has had an interest in historical figures and their stories for as long as she can remember. Her first introduction to the world of historical costuming was when she participated in the Single Action Shooters Society, and found she had a great interest in the conflicts of the early 20th century. The heroic story of the Womens Army Corps inspired her to begin reenacting WWII. Like-minds will find each other, and soon she had found equally passionate women to share the interest. Her favorite part about reenacting is inspiring children to take an interest in history and educating current service members about the women who's footsteps they follow in.
Unit Leader
LT. MICHAELA NEGRETE

Rochelle was first introduced to historical reenacting in 2017 when she met her significant other. She has always had an interest in history (specifically World War II of course) which increased immensely after meeting other HUSC members. Her role as assistant leader of the SoCal WACs is to help ensure the unit and its events run smoothly. The most important aspect of reenacting is retelling the stories of women who answered the call of patriotism at a time when women were relegated to the home. She believes it is imperative to keep their legacy alive because history books often fail to cover these women in detail or leave them out entirely. Rochelle’s favorite part of reenacting is informing people that women did everything a man could do and received the same pay.
Assistant Leader
SGT. ROCHELLE HIBBS

Olivia first saw historical reenactors at an airshow and wanted to be just like them. Her interest in World War II was sparked when she took a history class at her college and wanted to know more. She joined SoCal WACs in the Fall of 2017. In a time and generation where history is often overlooked, many do not know of the women who served in the Army during World War II. Olivia feels it is important to keep history alive by demonstrating how women lived, what they wore and endured during the wartime. She hopes that by showing this to others, she can increase the level of awareness and respect given to the men and women who have served for the United States of America.
Authenticity Officer
CPL. OLIVIA HATAWAY
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Mariah has been a historical reenactor for over 10 years. Her first impression was in the American Civil War, and later expanded into WWII and WAC. She is currently the safety officer for SoCal WACs, offering tips and information regarding members' safety at events. Her favorite part about reenacting is the camaraderie within the reenacting community as well as the fact that it brings history alive. Names, dates, and places written in history books become a personal experience. Mariah feels deeply honored to learn and show others about the lives of these brave women who sacrificed so much.
Safety Officer
CPL. MARIAH MUSSENDEN
Current Roster

Stephanie first briefly learned about the Women’s Army Corps of World War II in her 10th-grade history class where instantly her curiosity was sparked for these lesser-known veterans. As a devout history lover and intrigued by her father’s army past, Stephanie began researching extensively about the WACs. In 2017, at an Air Raid of 1942 event Stephanie met the future unit leader and the idea of the So Cal WACs — and enlisted as soon as she could. She loves teaching people about the first time in history where daring women were integrated into the army and defied all odds of the time period. Currently Stephanie studies History and Earth System Science at the University of California, Irvine where she hopes to further her research of the WACs in the Second World War.
Member
PFC. STEPHANIE CASTAÑEDA

Morgan Hofer has been in the vintage community since 2012, and has been reenacting with SoCal WACs since October 2017. After being raised by her mother who grew up in the 50’s and her grandparents who had served during World War Two, she fell in love with every aspect about the 40’s, and wanted to become a living historian. Morgan also believes in educating and learning about all aspects of history, and not sugar coating things. Especially when it comes to things that are generally hard to talk about, because it is history, and it did happen. She believes that you can’t learn from history by erasing it.
Member
PFC. MORGAN HOFER

Kat has only been involved in reenacting since January of 2019, but she has truly discovered a hidden passion. An avid vintage hunter and antique collector, Kat has always gravitated towards history, but especially towards the WWII era. She is currently working on collecting more WAC uniforms and militaria as well as reading more about the brave women of WWII.
New Member
PVT. KAT LAMBERT

Molly was introduced to reenacting by her father Fred, who is very active in the reenacting community. Though initially captivated by the romanticism of red lip stick, twirling skirts and swing dancing, she quickly fell in love with the intense commitment to authentic 40’s living. Molly’s biggest role in SoCal WAC’s is their primary photographer and takes many of their portraits and assists with all things communication. As a Communication major at Vanguard University, the Woman’s Army Corps fascinates Molly as she portrays women who share in her similar interests and mindsets.
Member
PFC. MOLLY MCDOWELL

Devri trained as an actress in theatre and film for fifteen years, but now she is mostly a mommy, in addition to running a small vintage shop, and working as a tarot reader. She discovered the world of reenacting in 2017, and quickly became obsessed with SoCal WACS. Her great aunt Evelyn Haddock enlisted with the Women’s Army Corps in 1944, and Devri is thrilled to be carrying on her legacy. She obsessively collects World War Two letters, and runs the Instagram page @wartimeletters. She can often be found in antique shops and cemeteries, and she definitely drinks way too much coffee.
Member