In 1996, my husband transferred from his civil service job as a flight instructor in Fort Rucker, Alabama to Winder, Georgia. We both also transferred from the U.S. Army Reserves to the Georgia Army National Guard. Since then, the unit has moved to Dobbins Air Reserve Base. In the Guard, I am a Captain and the personnel officer (S1) in the 1/171st Combat Support Aviation Battalion at Dobbins. My duties are similar to those administrative duties in a Human Resources Department in a civilian occupation. I'm in charge of over 200 records, which include pay, promotions, awards, transfers, and various other administrative details. Although my job in the Guard is only part-time, I find myself making trips to Dobbins at least once a week either to catch-up on paperwork or to fly. Currently, Rick is the Facility Commander at the National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility #2 at Dobbins.
Flying IS awesome! There's nothing that quite compares to landing in a tiny field in the North Georgia Mountains and then taking off and "swooping" down the side of a mountain. I am proud to be a member of the Georgia Army National Guard. I believe in justice and freedom, and it's neat to know that I can directly contribute to that by being part of the Guard. In a very patriotic way, I believe that I am a good example of what this country has fought for so long with respect to the American Dream. I came from a working-class family and had the opportunity to make my own choices and pursue my own goals. Although I haven't reached all of my goals yet, I do feel that I am successful, and having the freedom to make my own choices has directly contributed to my happiness and satisfaction with life.
I also believe that being a soldier involves being part of a noble, selfless profession where soldiers must be prepared to give their life to help others. I appreciate the fact that my commanders and the Governor of Georgia trust me to fly their aircraft that are worth several million dollars. I am also proud of our humanitarian state mission of helping people in natural disasters. Very often the situations are sad (like the fires in southern Georgia and Northern Florida this summer), but I think the people who we help are happy to see the National Guard come to their aid, because then they know that they will be safe.
In a very positive manner, it is really neat being the only female Blackhawk (UH-60) helicopter pilot in the state of Georgia, although sometimes I do feel alone, as there is really no opportunity to "female bond" with any of my peers. However, I thank God every day that I can talk to my husband, Rick, about everything. He tries his best to understand, and he realizes that sometimes (like most women!) I just need him to listen. I also realize that I am usually under scrutiny by my peers, subordinates and superiors. However, throughout the years I have come to realize that as long as I am doing the right thing and know in my heart that I am doing my best, everything will fall into place.