Powerful stuff here Susie and, as always, you nailed it!
During my time in the military (2002-2008), I look back on many moments now where I can clearly see policy barriers that must have held some back, but at the time they were just part of the background vista that we accepted as reality.
The one thing I will say, is that while these policies were misguided, they were always driven and advocated for (and continue to be today) by the political side of our leadership, I never saw in service leadership push for or champion them, just implement as ordered.
I love your tag line of "Politics suck but people are the best", and I completely agree! The entire time I was in the military, across all branches and ranks, up, down and sideways, all of the people I knew (well, 99% as you said, there is always that guy 😊) cared about two things above all else.....the mission and each other.
That is what gives me eternal hope that while civilian political machinations for the military have always been and will always be volatile, the core culture of the service is held and guarded jealously by the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines themselves....and there are no better people I have ever met or would trust more.
Wow, thanks for the kind words Sean, and thanks again for your service! It’s interesting to hear you had similar observations. The people really were the best right? I don’t miss the deployments but I do miss the people I spent them with.
It’s been such a great legacy you’ve lived out! And Im so lucky and grateful to have watched you become the great leader you are. The coolest part has been watching how proud your dad and grandaddy were every step up that mountain. Keep going!
What's interesting is that Betty, first female F-16 pilot, told her mom she wanted to be a stewardess too. It's was her mom that said something like, "honey that's nice. What about becoming a pilot?" To all the amazing mom and dads out there.
Too funny, I didn’t realize that about Betty. And hooray for parents who support their kids to find their path! I don’t know if any of my kids will want to fly or serve, but I do hope they have even more opportunities than I’ve had.
Damn. What a great one - the ride you have seen - the ride you grand-dad and Dad took before you. Thank you for so eloquently and beautifully expressing service, inclusiveness, and love in one post. like I said...DAMN!
I was working on the F-22 program at Pratt & Whitney on 9/11 and while I’m not a pilot I also have stories for days… my story of finding my path is similar though. Recently many people from my past have pointed out to me threads I didn’t realize were so dominant when I was playing seemingly dissimilar roles. We’re all created for something unique, sometimes it just takes a little while for us to uncover it. I love that you did!!
Thanks Melody! It’s funny sometimes when you look back and see those threads, right? Like when we’re too close we can’t see how everything was lining up all along. Sounds like you have some good stories in there and hope to read about them sometime :)
Susie, it's so great to read this content from an old friend. It's fascinating where life takes us. Back in high school, I would have never guessed that the percussionist extraordinaire from band would go on to become an Air Force pilot and retire as a Lt. Colonel (it appears)!
Your story is inspiring. The perseverance it took to overcome barriers and succeed in such a demanding field is remarkable. The leadership lessons you've shared are thoughtful and invaluable.
Wishing you all the best in this next chapter and in your post-military endeavors.
Side note on that last pic with your dad in his flight suit: my dad had that exact same patch from his time at Soesterberg as a medic! I suddenly remembered that time in high school when Angela and I discovered we may have overlapped in Holland!
Hey Jon! Thanks so much for your support and kind words! That’s so wild we may have overlapped in The Netherlands as well.
And yep, the path turned out a bit different than I expected back then lol but it’s been a great ride so far. Hope you’re doing well and enjoying your own adventures.
Again, thanks for taking the time and effort to support me - it really means a lot!
This is such a powerful story. It shows how important it is to see people like us doing things we may not have imagined for ourselves. Thanks for sharing!
What a fantastic read Susie! Your story is so inspiring and how amazing to see the change in female representation over the years in your work. I remember seeing a video recently of a plane landing in terrible conditions here and people commenting 'he did a good job there, he has some skill' etc. Someone else commented saying 'I was on that flight. It was a female pilot and she aced it'. Hard to break those assumptions but you are smashing it! Lovely to see your dad fly over too for your promotion!
Thanks Jen! Appreciate your kind words and support. It’s funny because I still catch myself making those same kinds of assumptions some times. It’s the whole, we’ve come so far, but we still have a long way to go thing.
I definitely feel like women are more accepted face to face, on the ground floor. But we’re still removing barriers to truly level the playing field.
Great call to action, Susie, and as always, I love seeing these glimpses into your great family and your amazing history!
Thanks Laura :)
It makes me so happy you saw what you saw!! What a shift--and what an accomplishment!! 💪
Thanks KP!
Fabulous, being part of the family, and how much of the sky they have soared through.
Thanks friend, I do feel very fortunate to be part of my family.
Powerful stuff here Susie and, as always, you nailed it!
During my time in the military (2002-2008), I look back on many moments now where I can clearly see policy barriers that must have held some back, but at the time they were just part of the background vista that we accepted as reality.
The one thing I will say, is that while these policies were misguided, they were always driven and advocated for (and continue to be today) by the political side of our leadership, I never saw in service leadership push for or champion them, just implement as ordered.
I love your tag line of "Politics suck but people are the best", and I completely agree! The entire time I was in the military, across all branches and ranks, up, down and sideways, all of the people I knew (well, 99% as you said, there is always that guy 😊) cared about two things above all else.....the mission and each other.
That is what gives me eternal hope that while civilian political machinations for the military have always been and will always be volatile, the core culture of the service is held and guarded jealously by the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines themselves....and there are no better people I have ever met or would trust more.
Thank you for this!
Wow, thanks for the kind words Sean, and thanks again for your service! It’s interesting to hear you had similar observations. The people really were the best right? I don’t miss the deployments but I do miss the people I spent them with.
I loved this! Its a great story, and great storytelling. 👏
Thanks Tracy :)
It’s been such a great legacy you’ve lived out! And Im so lucky and grateful to have watched you become the great leader you are. The coolest part has been watching how proud your dad and grandaddy were every step up that mountain. Keep going!
Susie, thanks for sharing your story about becoming a pilot. Serendipity in action! And so well-done!
I loved that not only did you accomplish something for yourself beyond your original intentions, you paved the way for so many others.
I loved the code word test you put up for your family too. Nice touch! I hope they get there--it's worth the read.
Thanks Melanie!
What's interesting is that Betty, first female F-16 pilot, told her mom she wanted to be a stewardess too. It's was her mom that said something like, "honey that's nice. What about becoming a pilot?" To all the amazing mom and dads out there.
Too funny, I didn’t realize that about Betty. And hooray for parents who support their kids to find their path! I don’t know if any of my kids will want to fly or serve, but I do hope they have even more opportunities than I’ve had.
Susie thanks for piloting both planes and change! You're an inspiration ⭐
Thanks Susan, appreciate you :)
Damn. What a great one - the ride you have seen - the ride you grand-dad and Dad took before you. Thank you for so eloquently and beautifully expressing service, inclusiveness, and love in one post. like I said...DAMN!
Thanks Chris, it’s definitely been a ride so far. And you’re too kind :)
I was working on the F-22 program at Pratt & Whitney on 9/11 and while I’m not a pilot I also have stories for days… my story of finding my path is similar though. Recently many people from my past have pointed out to me threads I didn’t realize were so dominant when I was playing seemingly dissimilar roles. We’re all created for something unique, sometimes it just takes a little while for us to uncover it. I love that you did!!
Thanks Melody! It’s funny sometimes when you look back and see those threads, right? Like when we’re too close we can’t see how everything was lining up all along. Sounds like you have some good stories in there and hope to read about them sometime :)
Appreciated reading about your experience and journey on this
thanks friend ☀️
Susie, it's so great to read this content from an old friend. It's fascinating where life takes us. Back in high school, I would have never guessed that the percussionist extraordinaire from band would go on to become an Air Force pilot and retire as a Lt. Colonel (it appears)!
Your story is inspiring. The perseverance it took to overcome barriers and succeed in such a demanding field is remarkable. The leadership lessons you've shared are thoughtful and invaluable.
Wishing you all the best in this next chapter and in your post-military endeavors.
Side note on that last pic with your dad in his flight suit: my dad had that exact same patch from his time at Soesterberg as a medic! I suddenly remembered that time in high school when Angela and I discovered we may have overlapped in Holland!
All the best to you and the family.
Hey Jon! Thanks so much for your support and kind words! That’s so wild we may have overlapped in The Netherlands as well.
And yep, the path turned out a bit different than I expected back then lol but it’s been a great ride so far. Hope you’re doing well and enjoying your own adventures.
Again, thanks for taking the time and effort to support me - it really means a lot!
This is such a powerful story. It shows how important it is to see people like us doing things we may not have imagined for ourselves. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Denise!
What a fantastic read Susie! Your story is so inspiring and how amazing to see the change in female representation over the years in your work. I remember seeing a video recently of a plane landing in terrible conditions here and people commenting 'he did a good job there, he has some skill' etc. Someone else commented saying 'I was on that flight. It was a female pilot and she aced it'. Hard to break those assumptions but you are smashing it! Lovely to see your dad fly over too for your promotion!
Thanks for sharing! 💛
Thanks Jen! Appreciate your kind words and support. It’s funny because I still catch myself making those same kinds of assumptions some times. It’s the whole, we’ve come so far, but we still have a long way to go thing.
I definitely feel like women are more accepted face to face, on the ground floor. But we’re still removing barriers to truly level the playing field.
That is so cool. 😎
Thanks Irene!