Month: March 2024

Tech. Sgt. Melissa Davis has spent the last 10 years serving in the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserves, and Air National Guard and describes herself as an “all-around resource” for individuals interested in an Air Force career.

“This experience has given me the knowledge and capability to be adaptable to anything that is thrown at me. I initially joined just for school and only wanted to do a four-year contact,” Davis said. “[But] I have stayed as long as I have in the Air Force as it’s pushed me so much more then I could ever imagine as a person. I honestly wouldn’t be the person I am today without the Air Force. From a shy and reserved high school girl, to becoming a subject matter expert in my field, a leader, and a follower.”

Davis, who is currently an Air National Guard Recruiter for Minnesota, recently met with female students at White Bear Lake Area High School in White Bear Lake, Minn., as part of a leadership program facilitated by DistrictWON, a U.S. Air Force partner for marketing and local engagement. She shared her experiences in the Air Force as well as the overall benefits and opportunities that young women can receive through military service.

“I think the Air National Guard and Air Force as a whole do a fantastic job of bringing you out of your shell,” Davis said. “If you don’t know how to public speak, we will get you the experience and help you become good at it. You may not be the best leader in directing others to do things. We teach you how to be a respectful and effective leader. Or you may have a hard time learning to ask for help when you have too much on your plate. We teach you to learn when to ask for help and let you know you’re not alone. In order to have a strong Air Force, we have to have strong guardsman in every single rank.”

Davis said that many of the stereotypes that she has fielded fall in line with people thinking that military service is masculine with no room for individuality.

“Honestly, I think that stereotype comes from people who think the uniform is so masculine and makes the woman masculine,” she said. “Yes, we do wear the uniform but that doesn’t take away our individual identity. There are all different types of personalities in women that are valuable assets that the Air Force has learned from.”

And while Davis acknowledges the constant need for more diversity and integration in today’s military, she does not believe there is a current challenge of underrepresentation of women in the Air Force and is proud to be a part of that change.

“In the time I have been in, I have seen a huge rate of women joining,” Davis said. “We have made big strides as women in the military, and I believe that holds perfect representation for having these partnerships with high schools. Young women can see how far we have come.”

According to the 2022 Demographics Profile of the Military Community released by the U.S. Department of Defense, the number of service members in all military branches dropped by 2.7 percent over the previous year. However, the percentage of women increased, with those actively serving in the military rising to 17.5 percent from 17.3 percent the year prior and those in the selected reserve rising from 21.4 percent to 21.6 percent over the same period.

“Making a difference in history under the Air Force [is crucial] to show how a strong military includes women,” Davis said. “This is just the beginning for us women representing what we can do and bring to the table with our fellow men.”

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Dana Fernkas recounts that she was still trying to find her path in life when the world was thrown into turmoil following the September 11 attacks in New York.

“During my second year of college, I dropped my major with no replacement in mind. In the wake of 9/11, I decided it was time to contribute to a bigger picture and enlisted into the Air Force,” Fernkas said. “Since then, it’s been engrained in me that learning and development is always a continuous process that’s never finished, and you should also try to inspire those around you to strive to be the best version of themselves and never settle for mediocracy.”

Fernkas, who currently serves as a Senior Enlisted Leader and is responsible for the career development of 65 servicemembers, recently met with female student athletes at Chancellor High School in Fredericksburg, Va., as part of a leadership initiative facilitated by DistrictWON, a U.S. Air Force partner in marketing and local engagement. She spoke to members of Chancellor’s girls tennis, junior varsity and varsity soccer, softball, and track teams.

Fernkas shared that in her experience growing up, military service options were not as “well-advertised” in specific regions of the country.

“I feel like there was a stigma that people who joined the military after high school did so because they were too stupid to go to college which is completely untrue,” she said. “Some of the smartest people I know in the military joined right after high school.”

She added that while there are certain combat roles that are still not open to female soldiers, “it’s simply not true that women are never at the tip of the spear.”

“For women specifically, I think there were stereotypes [when I first joined] that the only jobs available to them were support roles and the men had the important jobs,” Fernkas said. “I think it’s great that the military is doing a better job of reaching out to wider audiences, and its especially beneficial to speak directly to women so obsolete or misinformation is dispelled from the start.”

Len Carlson, athletic director at Chancellor High School, said Fernkas did a great job presenting her story as well as the options and opportunities that young women can experience in the military.

“[The presentation was] very beneficial for our female athletes to hear and know that all opportunities are open to them after high school with the Air Force,” said Carlson, who served in the Army National Guard and took advantage of the education support after his service. “[The girls were] excited about the opportunities the Air Force offers [and there were] many questions by the students about daily life, jobs, and more in the military.”

Fernkas shared the wide range of roles available in almost every avenue within the Air Force and noted that an individual can train in several professions and disciplines if they so choose.

“Prior experience isn’t even required when picking a profession, the Air Force will train you and get you certified,” she said. “The main takeaway is you will learn how to be outside of your comfort zone and those skills will carry over into all aspects of your life.”

According to the 2022 Demographics Profile of the Military Community released by the U.S. Department of Defense, the percentage of active-duty military women has increased 2.9 percent while the women in the selected reserve has risen by 4.4 percent.

“Four years of high school feels like an eternity, but after graduation, four years goes by in the wink of an eye. A four-year enlistment will give you job experience, exposure to life outside of your hometown, and free education and health benefits,” Fernkas said. “Bottom line, if you serve your enlistment honorably, you will have more advantages in life than not joining the military.”

Master Sgt. Lisa Miller recently visited female student athletes from Rock Canyon High School in Highlands Ranch, Colo., to discuss the benefits and opportunities afforded through a career in the U.S. Air Force.

Miller presented her career story to members of the school’s volleyball, cheerleading, and soccer teams, sharing her reasons for joining and the positive experiences she has had over her 17 years in service.

“I decided to join the Air Force after not really wanting to go to college but wanting to get out of my hometown and make something of myself,” she said. “The Air Force has provided me with lifelong skills to use after I retire in a couple years, and free education. Not to mention the healthcare to take care of my family.”

Tom Brieske, athletic director at Rock Canyon High School, said the students who attended Miller’s presentation, which is part of a leadership program facilitated by DistrictWON, a U.S. Air Force partner for marketing and local engagement, were attentive to everything Miller shared.

“I thought the message was really good. We have a very high percentage of our seniors who are on a college bound path but the talk opened their eyes to a different option that they may not have known they have,” Brieske said. “I think it is vital to hear all the options that are available to our students as they seek what may be best for them and their families.”

Miller addressed the girls’ questions about military life and highlighted the work-life balance that she and several of her colleagues have experienced.

“You’ll receive exactly the same training, vocational development and promotion opportunities as your male colleagues,” Miller said. “Most Air Force jobs have regular hours, giving you plenty of opportunities to socialize, spend time with your family, play sports and make the most of the extensive fitness and leisure facilities on base. You’ll make friends for life, at work and at play, plus through amazing shared experiences such as supporting peacekeeping and disaster-relief missions.”

The Air Force believes integration and diversity are important, Miller said, and that each woman who joins the service comes from a different background and therefore brings a distinct skillset and a unique perspective to the team.

“The opportunities that exist in the Air Force for women are amazing. You could come in and do an enlistment if you’re not sure about it and come out with an associate degree, many skillsets to use on the outside, lifelong friends, and an experience many of your friends would never be able to get,” Miller told the girls. “And if you want to keep going in your career in the Air Force, you can make your own way. This is your path and nobody can change the trajectory of your career but you!”

Immigrating to the United States at 11 years old, Air Force Staff Sgt. Michelle Dayanghirang felt a call to military service in gratitude of everything the country had provided her and her family.

“As a young immigrant from the Philippines at 11 years old, I was grateful to step into this country and experience the many benefits it has offered me over the years: education, healthcare, job opportunities and freedom,” she said. “I wanted to give back to the country by serving and be a part of the many citizens who keep this nation as the land of the free.”

Now a career soldier who has traveled the world, Dayanghirang visits high schools across the country to empower young students, particularly young women, to explore the benefits and opportunities of a career in the U.S. Air Force.

“Having partnerships with schools will help the current challenge of underrepresentation of women in the Air Force by having that direct engagement of women in service with the students,” she said, noting that integration and diversity in the military promotes innovation and productivity through different talents, backgrounds, and experiences.

Dayanghirang recently met with the female student athletes from Moriarty High School in Moriarty, N.M., as part of a leadership initiative facilitated by DistrictWON, a U.S. Air Force partner for marketing and local engagement.

“Having them listen to the recruiter opened a lot of their eyes. It showed them a whole new avenue after graduation besides college or the work force,” said Joseph Anaya, Athletic Director at Moriarty High School. “Staff Sgt. Dayanghirang talked about her own experiences in sports and how it helped with her career choice in the United States Air Force [and it] was very engaging for our student-athletes. She had their attention from the start.”

Dayanghirang shared with the girls that the Air Force is not one-size-fits-all and that there are avenues of interest for every personal and professional goal.

“We offer careers in aviation, medical, cops, firefighters, aircraft mechanics, cyber, intel, linguist, etc. You can even be a plumber in the Air Force. We will provide you the education and training you need for the career you are pursuing for free. While doing so, you could also be traveling around the world,” she said.

According to the 2022 Demographics Profile of the Military Community released by the U.S. Department of Defense, the number of service members in all military branches dropped by 2.7 percent over the previous year. However, the percentage of women increased, with those actively serving in the military rising to 17.5 percent from 17.3 percent the year prior and those in the selected reserve rising from 21.4 percent to 21.6 percent over the same period.

For those interested in the Air Force, Dayanghirang always recommends doing the research.

“Doubts are normal,” she said. “Be comfortable to use resources around you, such as recruiters, current or prior military members, teachers, counselors, friends and family members to ask them questions before making the decision of joining.”

Female athletes at Oak Hill High School in Wales, Maine, were recently treated to an inspiring visit from 2nd Lt. Aeris Butler, a Space Force Officer and Admissions Advisor for the U.S. Air Force Academy, aimed at sparking curiosity among young women about career opportunities in the Air Force.

Butler, a 2023 graduate of the Air Force Academy, shared insights into her journey and the benefits of military service. “I made the decision to join the Air Force because I really wanted the benefits that came along with it. I did not have the means to pay full tuition at a college, so it was either apply for scholarships, be really good at sports, or join a military program that would help fund it,” she explained. “The four years were definitely challenging, but I learned the value of resiliency and taking care of myself.”

During her visit, Butler engaged with a variety of female athletes from across the school, sparking conversations about the variety of opportunities available in the Air Force.

“I believe the students’ key takeaways were that the Air Force is an opportunity for anyone to find success and continue to develop skills within their toolbox,” Brian Daniels, athletic director at Oak Hill High School, said.

In the Space Force,  Butler  serves as a Space Operator and will be trained to manage satellite operations and radar communications. “I will not be on the frontlines; I do not need to be a masculine energy. I am an intelligent, empathetic, and strong woman that is capable of doing the same job as a man. I might even do it better.”

Butler’s candid conversations resonated with the students. “Our athletes love that the conversations were fluid and real, not scripted. It allowed them to truly grasp what the Air Force has to offer,” Daniels said.

Daniels emphasized the value of providing female students with insight into potential career paths that allow for personal and professional growth. “Any opportunity to expose our young athletes to potential future paths is a win,” he said. “Focusing on young females in a mostly male-dominated profession is worth its weight in gold.”

The visit by Butler, part of a leadership program facilitated by DistrictWON, a U.S. Air Force partner for marketing and local engagement, served as a reminder of the importance of empowering young women to explore diverse career opportunities.

“We want diversity, diversity of thought, diversity in gender, diversity in background,” Butler said. “It does no good for the Air/Space Force to be made up of solely one demographic because America itself is not one demographic.”

For young women considering joining the Air Force after graduation but facing doubts, Butler offered words of encouragement.

“I encourage anyone who has doubts, to just look and keep an open mind. Maybe you try the military for a three-year contract. If you hate it, leave. If you love it, stay. You always have a choice. Why would you pass up an opportunity that you might actually really love? I had doubts. But I made lifelong friends and have gotten to live in places I’d never been. There is a reason for everyone; you just have to find it.”

After nearly 10 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, Tech. Sgt. Melissa Davis says the experience has made her capable of handling anything that gets thrown at her.

“I initially joined just for school and only wanted to do a four-year contact,” Davis said. “[But] I have stayed as long as I have in the Air Force as it has pushed me so much more than I could ever imagine as a person. I honestly wouldn’t be the person I am today without the Air Force. From a shy and reserved high school girl, to becoming a subject matter expert in my field, a leader, and a follower.”

Davis, who has served as an Air Force Medical Logistics Technician and who is currently an Air National Guard Recruiter for Minnesota, recently met with the girls wrestling team at St. Paul Harding High School in St. Paul, Minn., as part of a leadership program facilitated by DistrictWON, a U.S. Air Force partner for marketing and local engagement. She shared her experiences in the Air Force as well as the overall benefits and opportunities that young women can receive through military service.

“I think the Air National Guard and Air Force as a whole do a fantastic job of bringing you out of your shell,” Davis said. “If you don’t know how to public speak, we will get you the experience and help you become good at it. You may not be the best leader in directing others to do things. We teach you how to be a respectful and effective leader. Or you may have a hard time learning to ask for help when you have too much on your plate. We teach you to learn when to ask for help and let you know you’re not alone. In order to have a strong Air Force, we have to have strong guardsman in every single rank.”

Glenn Meyers, assistant athletic director and head wrestling coach at St. Paul Harding High School, said the Air Force’s partnership with high schools is so important for students, particularly female students, who want to learn about how they can “continue to develop into thoughtful, inquisitive, critical thinking leaders” following graduation.

“The girls expressed a lot of enjoyment and excitement about getting to talk one-on-one with a female member of the service,” Meyers said. “Several of them are exploring the option as a post-secondary career and it was really a joy to watch their eyes light up talking about how they got to speak with a female member of the service who can answer their questions and give insights.”

Davis pointed out the myriad benefits for women who choose to join the Air Force, including college education opportunities, professional career courses, world travel, teamwork building, comradery, and individual growth.

And while Davis acknowledges the constant need for more diversity and integration in today’s military, she sees more women joining the Air Force and is proud to be part of that change.

“In the time I have been in, I have seen a huge rate of women joining,” Davis said. “We have made big strides as women in the military, and I believe that holds perfect representation for having these partnerships with high schools. Young women can see how far we have come.”

Tech Sgt. Mary Quattlebaum said her time in the U.S. Air Force has positively impacted her personal growth, leadership, sense of purpose, and camaraderie and now she shares her journey to military service with students across the country.

Quattlebaum, who has been in the Air Force for 14 years, made the decision to join at 21 years old because she wanted to be a part of something bigger than herself.

“Both of my parents served in the Air Force,” she said. “My father made the military his career, and I always looked up to him. I always enjoyed the military lifestyle and living on the bases. It always felt like a close community and family. Because everyone was away from their own families, everyone was really close and took care of each other.”

Quattlebaum, who is currently a recruiter with the 133^rd Airlift Wing in the Minnesota Air National Guard, recently met with student athletes from the gymnastics and soccer teams at Park High School in Cottage Grove, Minn.

“The athletes enjoyed the visit,” said Ali Flaata, Head Gymnastics Coach at Park High School. “It was encouraging to hear about how the lessons they learn in sports transfers to their future careers, especially the Air Force.”

Quattlebaum noted that one way to combat the underrepresentation of women in the Air Force is through outreach and awareness, such as this high school leadership program, facilitated by Rocky River, Ohio-based DistrictWON, a U.S. Air Force partner for marketing and local engagement.

“Partnerships with high schools can help by dispelling stereotypes and addressing misconceptions about military service,” she said. “Women might believe that the military is only combat-oriented, but in reality, there are diverse roles that align with various interests and skills. Breaking down these stereotypes and showcasing the opportunities within the Air Force can encourage more women to consider military service. Collaborations with high schools provide a platform to showcase the inclusive and rewarding aspects of a career in the Air Force, encouraging more women to explore these opportunities.”

Flaata found it encouraging that a female Air Force representative came to speak directly to Park High School female athletes. “Exposing female students to diverse career options is crucial for promoting gender equality, empowering them economically, and fostering leadership skills. It breaks down traditional stereotypes, inspires confidence, and contributes to a more innovative and inclusive workforce. By providing opportunities for female students to explore various paths and develop leadership qualities, we invest in creating a future generation of capable and diverse leaders,” Flaata said.

According to the 2022 Demographics Profile of the Military Community released by the U.S. Department of Defense, the number of service members in all military branches dropped by 2.7 percent over the previous year. However, the percentage of women increased, with those actively serving in the military rising to 17.5 percent from 17.3 percent the year prior and those in the selected reserve rising from 21.4 percent to 21.6 percent over the same period.

“Women joining the Air Force can benefit from diverse career opportunities, gaining skills in fields like aviation, technology, healthcare, and more,” Quattlebaum said. “They can train for roles such as pilots, engineers, medics, or even leadership positions. This not only offers a chance for professional growth but also personal development through teamwork, discipline, and resilience. Joining the Air Force can empower women to take on challenges, and contribute to the defense and well-being of their country.”