Title: Mascot – Barracks Barbie
Informant info: Matt Menezes. Informant attends Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH as a United States Army Veteran (2004-2013) . Informant was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division and deployed twice to Afghanistan (2007-08, 2008-09) as well as spent two years as a drill sergeant for basic combat training (2011-13).
Type of lore: Customary/Verbal Folklore, Tradition, Ritual, Material Lore
Language: English
Country of Origin: USA
Social / Cultural Context: Informant was interviewed at Dartmouth College. Informant was asked about any rituals or mascots during their time in the military. The Barracks Barbie was the 82nd Airbone Division’s unit Mascot. The informant here explained the mascot and discussed some memories related to the Barracks Barbie.
Associated file:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/11vv5a27kzlycgq/Dartmouth_Folklore_Collections_Matt_Menezes.mp4?dl=0
Transcript: Item: [I have recorded the item exactly how it was told to me in the interview]: One of the other rituals that has been passed down and this is sort of a new one is we actually have what is a barracks Barbie doll that goes everywhere with us. She was with us in the initial invasion to Iraq, she’s been through every deployment our unit has gone on since 2001. So she has all of her gear and you kind of assign it to someone to take care of.
Informant’s comments: The Barracks Barbie was a mascot that not only brought people together, but also was able to bring a needed joking and laughter to a very serious situation.
Collector’s comments: The Barracks Barbie is a great example of tradition that is passed along throughout a unit that is a means to share history and the roots of the unit.