News>Women's leadership discussion: 'Why are women leaving the Air Force'
Photos
Gail Lee (left to right), Chief Master Sgt. Trae King, Capt. Amanda Mason and Lt. Col. Tiaa Henderson participated in an Air Force panel discussion on why women are leaving the Air Force during the 2013 Joint Women's Leadership Symposium held in National Harbor, Md., June 7, 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo/Desiree N. Palacios)
Gail Lee (left to right), Chief Master Sgt. Trae King, Capt. Amanda Mason and Lt. Col. Tiaa Henderson participated in an Air Force panel discussion on why women are leaving the Air Force during the 2013 Joint Women's Leadership Symposium held in National Harbor, Md., June 7, 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo/Desiree N. Palacios)
6/8/2013 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Deployments, starting a family, bad mentorship and losing passion for the job are just a few reasons mentioned by uniformed and prior-service women during a panel discussion about why women are leaving the Air Force, at the Joint Women's Leadership Symposium here June 7.
The Air Force panel discussion included Lt. Col. Tiaa Henderson, the Policy Integration Branch chief; Chief Master Sgt. Trae King, the 633rd Air Base Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis command chief; Ms. Gail Lee, prior Air Force major and Resources Directorate under the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force management analyst; and Capt. Amanda Mason, a reservist and founder of Project Enyo. The moderator of the panel was Lt. Col. Tammy Hinskton, the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Integrated Plans and Strategy Branch chief.
In a room filled with approximately 150 Airmen and civilians, these women shared their thoughts on why women continue to stay in the Air Force or decide to get out of the service.
"The Air Force was the best decision I ever made," King said. "The Air Force has a sense of family and being apart of something."
King explained that, "I never thought once I came in that I was getting out, but as a master sergeant I considered becoming an officer," she said. "I went into my officer's office and said I'm going to be a second lieutenant and she looked me in the face and said, 'Why in the world would you want to be a second lieutenant when you're going to make chief one day?'"
Lee, who served 11 years as an Air Force officer, said she would have stayed in the military, but had plans of getting married to another service member.
"Once we got married there just came a time. It was really a tough decision, because I really didn't want to get out. I was really loving it (the Air Force)," Lee said. "I had been in 11 years, but it just wasn't going to meet all my goals, which then involved raising a family. I have two kids now and I just wasn't ready, but I think I would have stayed in."
Mason joined the Air Force as a linguist, but decided to get out at her six-year mark.
"I thought I had a very valuable skill set in which to use on the outside, but I didn't have a bachelor's degree at the time," Mason said. "I went to the reserve. I went back to school and as a staff sergeant in the reserve. I really missed it.
Mason added that, "I had all those years of experience of getting shot at ... fired at ... real life experience that I didn't think college life offered me. I had to listen to 18-21 year olds complain about the world when they hadn't been out there yet. As soon as Iraqi Freedom came out I volunteered and came right back to active duty."
Mason said she thoroughly enjoyed her deployment.
"That is what really changed my life. I had an opportunity to be a translator," she said. "I was passionate about the mission, but ... once you lose that passion for a job I think you start changing your mind a little bit. So I think it's important to find the right opportunities to help you meet what your personal goals are as well as the opportunity in the Air Force to match those."
Henderson said that she had great mentors that taught her to reach out and talk to people and find out what they need. She said you can't always expect leadership to know what you are thinking. She stressed Airmen need to reach out and ask questions as well.
"Treat others as you would like to be treated; if you were mentored, mentor other people."
King believes that, from a single person's perspective, it's not always easy to keep up with the ops tempo as an Airman, and do what's necessary to get to the next level. "It's pretty difficult if you're mil-to-mil, you're a single parent and trying to take care of your child working 10 hours a day.
"You know that is very challenging and I know my Airmen talk to me about the lack of leadership. So many leaders are so interested in their next job that we are forgetting about the Airmen.
"We aren't really giving them training. We are promoting them at a fast rate to try to keep the retention rates up, but we aren't giving them the training that they need and then we are shooting them out into leadership positions and expecting them to be perfect.
As soon as they make a mistake we are then pushing them out the door or out of the Air Force ... so a lot of Airmen have a bad taste in their mouth about the military," King said.
Lee said she had no expectations of the military. She just went with things as they came and she still keeps that same perspective in the civilian world.
"The civilian world is very similar," she said. "It almost as if you are planning for your next PCS, so you have that same element -- you're looking for that next job. There is less structure in the civilian world, so whatever you put into it you will get out of it. There are a lot of things to keep your eye on, but being close to the military makes me feel comfortable."
Henderson talked about the importance supervisors play in the experience and growth of Airmen and used an example of her early days when she had to share a computer with a co-worker who played solitaire all day.
"I would actually have to tell him to finish what he was doing so I can actually do my work," she said. "That was my initial welcome to the Air Force and I thought 'Wow! This isn't what I had anticipated ... you know the high standards that I had expected.'
"But fortunately I kept on going and gave my best effort and it paid off as I moved forward. I had better supervisors and I think quite often it's a matter of what people are going through at the moment and that may not be the Air Force culture as a whole.
"Overall, I think all my expectations were met, but I could have been easily discouraged at the onset based on that supervisor. That's why supervision is so important," Henderson said.
Another problem many women face in the Air Force is balancing family life with work.
Henderson said that women need to know when to ask for help when they need it.
"Too often women put on a facade and say everything is great. 'I've got it all together and I can take on the world.' And we can. We are capable women, but sometimes we need help. They may not be saying that, but they have help so don't be afraid to use that network. Make plans with friends to watch their kids one week and switch the next week."
King said to that women shouldn't take for granted the time they have with family.
"I was so busy trying to make a better life for my daughter I missed her life. I woke up and she was 18 years old and gone and the Air Force had taken so much of my time and effort. So I'm thinking, 'man she is living in a nice house, driving a nice car, she has a nice life and things. She's happy. She's good to go, but I took for granted that sometimes she just wanted some 'mommy time,'" King said. "So make sure that you know how valuable your quality time is with your family."
Sheila Earle, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, made the point that women are very accomplished and should never underestimate themselves.
"Women are very competent at what they do. They have choices. When you made your choice it wasn't because you had no choice."
Comments
6/20/2013 3:40:02 PM ET I thoroughly enjoyed this professional development networking opportunity. Those of us in the National Capital Area were fortunate enough to be able to attend such an awesome event to talk in a Joint environment about the issues we currently face and how others have been able to overcome the barriers across services. This event sponsored by the Association of the United States Navy and various other companies that support the military really embodies the theme Stronger Self Stronger Service. As leaders tackled the task of empowering those around them it was awesome to look back and see how far weve come be able to hold such an event without criticism.
Connie, NCA
6/13/2013 3:11:05 PM ET I was 10 yrs active and a single parent. The AF was the best thing that happened to me. I deployed only once back in 94. I left AD and went Reserves. I have 3 AFSCs under my belt and climbed the ranks to E-7. Thank God for friends to help when I needed them for annual tours and the patience of my son who is now 25. I dont regret one moment. I cherish the camaraderie and still serve 25 years. I didn't let poor supervision let me down. I pretty much put on my big girl pants and blazed my own trail and didnt let anyone stop me. I gained alot of confidence and strength along the way - something I instilled in my son. I love it and still stand strong and serve in the AF.
Nora Martinez, Niagara Falls ARB NY
6/13/2013 9:56:46 AM ET If you can't put duty honor and country before family don't bother wearing the uniform.
Zumi, Here
6/12/2013 4:40:13 PM ET @Andrea your attitude is spot on yet very refreshing. Thanks for your service above self approach and for all you do while in uniform.
Old retiree, Colorado Springs CO
6/12/2013 11:44:21 AM ET I'm in total agreement with you Andrea. Being a mom shouldn't preclude a woman from doing her AF job. I've supervised enlisted mothers with kids who put their job first including mil-to-mil deployments at the same time. Perfect example that you can put the mission first. That being said I've seen many times where there is a double standard for military women with kids and those who have none. I have chosen not to have kids yet because I want to focus on my career. All that being said I can see putting together a low-profile local to base lunch discussion where folks pay for their own lunches. But a symposium with TDYs etc is very poor form right now and makes me sad.
Capt, USAFA
6/12/2013 9:15:29 AM ET Look out another 4 hour CBT coming to brow beat us all for being the cause of women leaving the Air Force.
Wm, doesn't matter
6/11/2013 9:57:19 PM ET I personally liked the quotes but even as a woman I am tired of my gender being the subject of articles. I understand we've come a long way but it only makes me realize that things like this are further dividing us from males in the military and making the gap bigger for inequality. I am not ashamed of being a woman I am just tired of things like this being focused on. Also maybe I am just different but I feel stories like this make it seem as if all military women are wanting to be mothers. Some of us are not and choose our career over starting a family. I for one do not like to miss out on deployments or work at the expense of my coworkers all because I wanted to start a family. I joined because this is my calling. We workplan around the Air Force not the other way around. Its things like this that are embarassing for me as a woman and we wonder why men still want us out of the military. Go figure.
Andrea, Overseas
6/11/2013 7:26:48 PM ET Judging by the photos I would guess they were taken during the symposium segment discussing how to reduce sexual harassment by making oneself unappealing to the opposite sex.
Jake, Ohio
6/11/2013 1:52:01 PM ET I agree that they should look at why anyone leaves the Air Force then break it down from there. How many left the service in 2012 X amount. Why did they leave Mil to mil and one spouse remained in better job opportunities etc. I think the gender divide would be more appropriate in the sub category rather than right from the get-go.However I will also agree that there is a lack of female mentorship the higher up you go. We all know that men and women think differently--any regular relationship will attest to that--and they're going to approach situations differently. We need that variety.
Nichole, east coast
6/11/2013 1:24:24 PM ET So what were the numbers that justified holding this symposium - are women really leaving in droves or something I don't see any solutions in the article- just some stories. Do women really not realize that it is going to be a balancing act to have a job and children Most of us get it by now it is going to be tough to balance any career with a family. If women are getting out to raise a family you are not going to change their minds- that is their priority to make. In fact let the men leave too lot's of stay at home dads nowadays - if we are going to argue about equality and all.
TSgt Jones , Dover
6/11/2013 1:18:05 PM ET @female airmen with 17 years...I do not have a major problem with women or whoever getting together but again what is the point of this get together. If it was to tell war stories and family experiences at any cost to the tax payer it was a waste of time in these financially constrained times. What was the point of the meeting
Me, Still Here
6/11/2013 12:07:19 PM ET I have said this before but it bears repeating...whenever ANY group is singled out for whatever reason all others are automatically discriminated against. And yes in these fiscal times this conference should have been cancelled.AF News has the knack for taking pictures of personnel with questionable AFI 36-2903 compliance. The Chief's bangs clearly reaches her eyebrows. Skirt length is supposed to be no shorter than the top of the kneecap...hard to tell while sitting. Why is this important...credibility of the speakers for one thing---maybe you need to read the ...Why Enforce the Standards...and the ...Rebluing...articles
Sgt Snorkle, USA
6/11/2013 10:37:36 AM ET It's nice to have voices heard in a Symposium. I agree its a waste of money for a TDY when there are missions being cut to budget this.. Also please go back to the Dress and Appearance standards and review the regs on Female pumps stilettos are unauthorized and are limited to 2 inches high The blues skirt seemed a tad short as well.. With all that's going on ladies please dress yourselves appropriately.
Regs Female, South East
6/11/2013 10:00:30 AM ET The current sequestration suspends all TDYs for non mission essential purposes such as conferences seminars and symposiums. The commanders who authorized TDY funding for this symposium flagrantly disregarded the sequestration directive. They've quite effectively spit in the faces of DoD civilians who are being furloughed.
Alan Carter, Ohio
6/11/2013 9:42:01 AM ET I don't even need to read this article to say that here we are still spending money on fruitless TDYs while many are furloughed and others can't even get the training they need to do their jobs.
SJ, Florida
6/11/2013 8:38:00 AM ET Reference all your comments the thing that boggles my mind the most is that there are so many of you out there that still think the female Airman experience is the same as yours. Your comments are exactly the reason why there is and should be a Female Symposium. Thanks also for my daily dose of troll comments BTW.
Female Airman, 17 years in now
6/11/2013 7:32:11 AM ET We are in the profession of arms in which we are expected to be willing to put our life on the line. Is the representation of women in the workforce that much different from other professions with similar expectations
RADHAZ, Ft Gordon
6/10/2013 5:20:38 PM ET Still mind boggling how everything must be spearheaded and hardcharged to be P.C. belief sensitive and equality-approved yet we still have ethnicgender specific awards banquets groups and days.....
Confused NCO, Everywhere
6/10/2013 4:08:57 PM ET @A SNCO we can't have a Male Leadership Symposium because that would be considered sexist. Don't you love double standards Anyway they need to be addressing why AIRMEN are leaving the AF not why any particular groupd is deciding to leave.
A Male, Undisclosed Location
6/10/2013 2:28:00 PM ET PB whether or not males have it bad or not is actually irrelevant to the pointt A SNCO was making. Are we interested in equality and integration holistically or not If not if we are going to go the route of both male and female have a right to address gender specific concerns then we owe to the men to offer a male issues forum with just as much official clout and support. Either everyone is in the pool or no one should be in the pool you can't have it both ways.
Chris, USA
6/10/2013 2:11:31 PM ET @PB you clearly have missed the point. BL We need to stop singling out special groups and sub-groups of our force if we want true equality. As for how bad men have it....ask those who have had false sexual assaultharrasment claims filed against them. Personally I was guilty until proven innocent and even then there were some who assumed that as a male I was automatically guilty. Forget the fact that the female was trying to find some way to avoid punitive NJP
A SNCO, An AFB Near You
6/10/2013 1:44:01 PM ET Really......we paid for this TDY Really Fantastic...let's furlough our civilians to hold this type of forum....when will common sense prevail
Lady in Furlough, America
6/10/2013 12:58:30 PM ET Maybe I am in the wrong circles but I see no shortage of women in the Air Force and no mass exodus of women leaving the Air Force. I could see a symposium on Sexual Assault issues but this was just female Airmen getting together and talking about stuff with no overall goal. I would imagine some male bashing took place also. Waste of time or probably helped no one. Correct me if I am wrong.
Male Airmen, All Male Meeting Place
6/10/2013 12:45:04 PM ET Only a Branch of government would think that the way to promote equality is by singling out different groups and making them feel special. Why are blondes leaving the Air Force At what point do we stop spending money on stuff like this and start using it for tangible things Leadership talks a good game about stopping useless spending and then an article like this comes out. Makes me want to go out and buy another plasma tv for a chow hall.
NC-Oh no not again, Lajes
6/10/2013 11:22:38 AM ET Please 'A SNCO' tell us more about how bad men have it in the military right now.
PB, US
6/10/2013 10:44:18 AM ET Seriously and when is the Joint Male Leadership Symposium being held or are we not interested in equality This is one of the things wrong with today's USAF. We are not interested in true equality we continue to single out specific groups and categories of people.
A SNCO, An AFB Near You
6/10/2013 10:21:22 AM ET The caption for the 2 pictures does not match. The ladies are listed right to left...
RC, GA
6/10/2013 10:03:43 AM ET Maybe the DoD and USAF would be best served by looking at retention issues holistically. Why are Airmen leaving the service not just women or men. I am reminded of a poster I saw at a recent Marine Corps graduation. There are no women Marines only Marines. Perhaps the USAF can emulate this approach and cut out these gender specific fora that tackle only half the issues
JAFSO, Colo Spgs
6/10/2013 10:01:29 AM ET I am glad the Air Force was able to find money for this instead of flying hours and deployment training. It is good to know we are putting our money to good use.
Don, USA
6/10/2013 9:33:50 AM ET This symposium looks like a waste of time and money to me.
Mike, Florida
6/9/2013 4:48:33 PM ET Overall women are smarter than men and can see a much better deal when it comes along.
