During the time she served at the USAF Medical Center Wright-Patterson, she was able to complete the flight nurse course at Gunter Air Force Base in Alabama.

In 1960, Vigil-Schimmenti was assigned as a general duty nurse at USAF Dispensary, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, where she served until May 1962, when she was transferred to the 9th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Tachikawa Air Base, Japan, where she was a flight nurse until August 1964.

[5] In August 1964, Vigil-Schimmenti left to attend the University of Pittsburgh and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1966.

In July 1966, she was assigned to the USAF School of Health Care Sciences, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, as an instructor in the Medical Service Specialist Course.

[5] In January 1971, she returned to the United States and was assigned to David Grant USAF Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base, California, as charge nurse emergency services and primary care clinic, charge nurse oncology clinic and home care service.