Women's History in the Defense Department

Army Col. Lora Rainey is the state staff judge advocate for the Idaho National Guard, and is the first woman in the organization’s history to hold that position. She grew up in Boise, Idaho, graduating from Capital High School with honors in 1984. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in political science and economics from the University of Redlands in California, where she also played college basketball for two years. Following college, she was selected to a one-year position as a program analyst for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington and then went on to earn her Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1994.

After law school, Rainey returned home to Idaho and, in 1997, she received her direct commission as a first lieutenant in the Idaho Army National Guard and was assigned to the 116th Calvary Brigade Combat Team Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. She served as a legal assistance officer, trial counsel and administrative law officer, and attended the judge advocate basic and advanced courses at the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School in Charlottesville, Virginia. She also completed the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College’s intermediate level education. In her civilian career during this same timeframe, she was a full-time mediator and hearing officer for the State of Idaho Industrial Commission, where she worked for 13 years.

From December 2004 to November 2005, Rainey deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq, with the 116th CBCT as the deputy staff judge advocate where. Among other duties, she supervised a legal staff of officer and enlisted personnel, acted as primary administrative law officer, was a detention review authority for the base detention facility, was appointed as a foreign claims commissioner, reviewed military justice appeals and provided legal assistance to soldiers. In conjunction with this deployment, she received the Bronze Star Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and Combat Action Badge.

Upon her return from Iraq, Rainey served as the 116th CBCT staff judge advocate from 2006 to 2010. She then transferred to Idaho Joint Force Headquarters with the task of creating the Idaho Army National Guard’s Trial Defense Service program. She served as the organization’s first TDS trial defense counsel.

Rainey subsequently was assigned as the deputy staff judge advocate for the Idaho National Guard until 2017, when she attained the position of state staff judge advocate.

In her civilian practice, Rainey joined with two other attorneys in 2012 to establish Breen Veltman Wilson PLLC, one of few all female-owned law firms in Idaho. She is an advocate for volunteerism, and over the past 25 years has volunteered through the Idaho State Bar’s Volunteer Lawyer Program and Fee Arbitration Program, and as a pro tem judge for Ada County Youth Court. She serves on the Idaho Legal Aid Services board of directors, serving as vice president from 2010 to 2013 and as president from 2013 to 2016. She also is the president of the Anser Public Charter School Board.

In 2007, Rainey was honored with the Idaho State Bar’s annual Pro Bono Award, and in 2017, she was selected by Idaho Women Lawyers to receive its Bertha Stull Green award, which honors a woman in the legal community who has demonstrated commitment to her community and public service. A physical fitness advocate, Rainey has taught group fitness classes at the Boise YMCA since 1996.

Born in Texas, Sergeant (Sgt) Alma Cavazos grew up in Ralls, Texas. Sgt Cavazos enlisted in the Marine Corps and graduated from MCRD Paris Island, South Carolina in December 2011. Upon graduation, Sgt Cavazos attend Enlisted Basic Supply Course in Camp Johnson, North Carolina. There she was promoted to Private First Class and received orders to her first duty station the School of Infantry (SOI), Camp Pendleton, California.

While serving at SOI as permeant personnel, Sgt Cavazos diligently and successfully managed the battalion’s Consolidated Memorandum Receipts (CMR) worth over 400 Million dollars and provided instruction and guidance in the management of CMR’s to 40 Responsible Officers. Sgt Cavazos also participated in multiple funeral details as a Rifleman from August 2012- September 2013. Sgt Cavazos enrolled at Coastline Community College in pursuit of her Associates degree in General Studies. She was then promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in 2012.

While serving at SOI as permeant personnel, Sgt Cavazos diligently and successfully managed the battalion’s Consolidated Memorandum Receipts (CMR) worth over 400 Million dollars and provided instruction and guidance in the management of CMR’s to 40 Responsible Officers. Sgt Cavazos also participated in multiple funeral details as a Rifleman from August 2012- September 2013. Sgt Cavazos enrolled at Coastline Community College in pursuit of her Associates degree in General Studies. She was then promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in 2012.

Sgt Cavazos received orders to Marine Security Guard School 14-2 and reported for training in January 2014. While attending Marine Security Guard School Sgt Cavazos was promoted to the rank of Corporal. In March 2014, Sgt Cavazos received orders to her first diplomatic post in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Sgt Cavazos received orders to Marine Security Guard School 14-2 and reported for training in January 2014. While attending Marine Security Guard School Sgt Cavazos was promoted to the rank of Corporal. In March 2014, Sgt Cavazos received orders to her first diplomatic post in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

During her time in Sri Lanka, Sgt Cavazos developed her skills as a Marine Security Guard and safeguarded classified material for the Chancery. She was also responsible for the food supply. She managed the local Sri Lankan cook and properly managed the Mess funds for the entire Detachment. Sgt Cavazos then transferred to Central Texas College to continuing her off-duty Education while she was served abroad. In March 2015, Sgt Cavazos received orders to her second post in San Salvador, El Salvador. On 1 May 2015, she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. While in El Salvador, Sgt Cavazos held the billet of 2nd Squad Leader and Supply/CBRN NCOIC. Sgt Cavazos worked to get the detachment CMR to 100%. As a result to her hard work, Sgt Cavazos was recognized as the Region 9 Marine of the Quarter for Second Quarter. She also participated in Toys for Tots to a local girl’s orphanage called, Las Ninas, where she sponsored two young Salvadorian girls. Sgt Cavazos also acted as the Assistant Detachment Commander, thus leading her to be highly recommended to serve as an Assistant Detachment Commander for her third posting in the Marine Security Guard Program.

Sgt Cavazos arrived at her third post in Ottawa, Canada in March 2016. While in Ottawa, Sgt Cavazos completed the turnover as the Detachment Commander. There she maintained morale with the Embassy community, Ottawa Police, RCMP and Marines in her detachment. Sgt Cavazos then took over as the Assistant Detachment Commander for the remainder of her time in Ottawa. Sgt Cavazos reported to her current duty station, 1st Marine Raider Support Battalion in March 2017, where she currently serves as the Fiscal Chief and Supply Platoon Sergeant.

In her personal time, Sgt Cavazos spends her weekends working with rescued horses at Forgotten Horses Rescue located in Menifee, California. She also sponsors a seven-year-old Salvadorian girl through World Vision, and continues her off-duty education through Central Texas College. Sgt Cavazos highly encourages education and dedication to her fellow Marines.

Senior Master Sergeant Cindy Merrills is the Materiel Management (2S0) USAFE MAJCOM Functional Manager, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Detachment 4, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. She works directly with Headquarters Air Force while overseeing the health and manning of 38 squadrons within in 8 wings and 18 geographically separated units comprising of 650 personnel. SMSgt Merrills coordinates with AFPC to distribute allocated and assigned personnel resources to ensure proper command prioritization and disseminates policy and program requirements throughout USAFE.

SMSgt Merrills entered the Air Force in February 1999 as a Materiel Management Apprentice. Her base assignments include Utah, Georgia, Florida, Germany and undisclosed locations in addition to numerous deployments in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, FREEDOM SENTINEL, RESOLUTE SUPPORT and Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa. She assumed her current position on 9 August 2016.

• 2002 Airman Leadership School, Shaw AFB, SC
• 2004 Associate’s Degree in Logistics Management, Community College of the Air Force
• 2006 Bachelors of Science, Business Admin/Human Resource Management, Columbia University
• 2009 Masters of Arts, Human Resource Management, Webster University
• 2011 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, McGhee Tyson ANGB, TN
• 2011 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Correspondence
• 2012 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education, Correspondence
• 2012 Professional Manager Certification
• 2014 Advanced Project Management Certification
• 2016 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Logistics Readiness Course, Correspondence
• 2017 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Gunter Annex, AL

• 1. Feb 99 – Mar 99, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
• 2. Apr 99 – May 99, Student, Materiel Management, Lackland AFB, TX
• 3. June 99 – Dec 00, Storage and Issue Apprentice, 16th Supply Squadron, Hurlburt AFB, FL
• 4. Dec 00 – Nov 06, Supply Management Journeyman, 15th ASOS, Fort Stewart, GA
• 5. Nov 06 – Dec 12, NCOIC, Group Supply, Data Masked
• 6. Nov 12 – Dec 15, Superintendent, Materiel Management Flight, 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Hill AFB, UT
• 7. Dec 15 – Aug 16, Superintendent, Deployment & Distribution Flight, 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Hill AFB, UT
• 8. Aug 16- Present, Materiel Management (2S0) USAFE MAJCOM Functional Manager, Air Force Installation & Mission Support Center, Detachment 4, Ramstein, Germany

• Bronze Star
• Defense Meritorious Service Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Joint Service Commendation Medal
• Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
• Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
• Distinguished/Presidential Citation
• Gallant Unit Citation
• AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device
• National Defense Service Medal
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal
• Iraq Campaign Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
• Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border

Senior Master Sergeant: 1 March 2017

• 2003 15th ASOS NCO of the 4th Quarter
• 2008 Data Masked Group Materiel Management NCO of the Year
• 2008 Data Masked NCO of the 2nd Quarter
• 2008 Data Masked Squadron Lance P. Sijan
• 2009 Data Masked NCO of the Year
• 2009 Data Masked Squadron Materiel Management NCO of the Year
• 2009 Data Masked Group Lance P. Sijan
• 2011 Data Masked Squadron Materiel Management NCO of the Year
• 2014 Team Hill SNCO of the 2nd Quarter
• 2015 75th ABW SNCO of the 3rd Quarter
• 2015 75th ABW SNCO of the Year
• 2016 AFIMSC Det 4 SNCO of the 4th Quarter
• 2017 AFIMSC Det 4 Volunteer of the 2nd Quarter

Army Col. Katherine E. White serves in the Michigan Army National Guard as the staff judge advocate for the 46th Military Police Command in Lansing, Michigan.

Her previous military assignments include serving in the U.S. Army Reserve as an instructor of law at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, and as the reserve associate dean of the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School. On active duty, White was in the Chief Counsel of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Honors Program, where she served as the intellectual property counsel for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

White received her Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering and computer science from Princeton University, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Washington, a Master of Laws degree from the George Washington University Law School, and a Master’s Degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.

From 1995 to 1996, she was a judicial law clerk Randall R. Rader, retired circuit judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. From 2000 to 2002, she was appointed by the secretary of commerce to serve on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Patent Public Advisory Committee. White is a Fulbright Senior Scholar (Germany), a White House Fellow 2001-2002, and is a registered patent attorney. She was also appointed by the secretary of agriculture to the Agriculture Department’s Plant Variety Protection Office Advisory Board, serving 2004-2008, 2010-2012 and 2015-2017. In 2015, she became a member of the Old National Bancorp corporate board of directors, and she is a professor of law at the Wayne State University Law School in Detroit.

White was elected statewide to the University Of Michigan Board Of Regents in 1998 and re-elected in 2006 and 2014. Her term expires Jan. 1, 2023.

She is actively involved in her community, serving as a Fisher House of Michigan board member and as a member of the Board of Review for the City of Ann Arbor.

Major Coleman is a native of Dallas, Texas and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Economics and a minor in Spanish and was subsequently commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps (USMC).

In 2005, upon completion of the Logistics Officer’s Course, she was assigned to Truck Company, Headquarter Battalion, 1st Marine Division, as a motor transportation platoon commander. In 2006, she deployed with her platoon to Camp Fallujah, Iraq where they conducted convoy operations throughout the Al Anbar Province. Then Lieutenant Coleman led almost 100 combat missions throughout that deployment. She then reported to Headquarters Battery, 11th Marine Regiment, where she served as the regimental logistics officer and the maintenance management officer. In 2008 she deployed to Haditha, Iraq as the S-4A/truck platoon commander for 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, one of the few women to deploy in this capacity.

Upon return from Iraq, she reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), Parris Island, SC where she served as a series commander, company executive officer, and company commander at 4th Recruit Training Battalion. She also served as the supply/logistics officer for Headquarters and Service Battalion. In 2011, Captain Coleman was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 (MWSS-373) where she served as a company commander and operations officer. During this time she also received a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management from Syracuse University via the Center of Excellence in Logistics and Technology (LOGTECH) program. In 2014, she served as the G-4 operations officer for 3d Marine Aircraft Wing (3d MAW), and in June 2014, Captain Coleman reported to the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Monterey, CA where she was soon promoted. Major Coleman graduated with a Master of Science in Operations Research in June 2016.

In July 2016, Major Coleman reported to Marine Corps Logistics Command (MARCORLOGCOM) in Albany, GA where she currently serves as an operations research analyst. Her work as an analyst includes developing an algorithm to optimize long term storage of Marine Corps equipment subject to available warehouse space as well as an in-depth analysis of Marine Depot Maintenance Center (MDMC) cost data in support of a Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) Programs and Resources (P&R) Front End Assessment (FEA). Major Coleman continues to lead data science projects in support of improving the depot maintenance process.

Major Coleman completed the Tactical Logistics Operations Course, Intermediate Logistics Operations Course, Expeditionary Warfare School (non-resident), and Naval War College via the NPS College of Distance Education (Distinguished Graduate). She is also a certified Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Black Belt through the American Society of Quality. Major Coleman is also an active advisor to the Marine Corps Association and Foundation, as well as a member of the Military Operations Research Society (MORS). She is married to Major Joshua Gregory, who currently serves as the Director of the LOGCOM Fusion Cell. They are certified foster parents with the Georgia Depart of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS) and are in the process of adopting their child. Also part of the family are their three dogs, Winston, Dallas, and Charlie.

Air Force Master Sgt. Chalanda Roberts is a broadcast journalist at the Air National Guard’s I.G. Brown Training and Education Center, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee. As one of several broadcasters responsible for telling the Air National Guard story, she directs and produces live and taped broadcasts and productions that reach all 54 states and territories and beyond.

Roberts entered the Air Force in February 2000. Before her current assignment, she served as a videographer at the 1st Combat Camera Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, deploying in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Her first deployment earned her a Joint Service Commendation Medal and an Air Force Combat Action Medal. She also supported earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.

She is a graduate of the Television, Radio and Film Military Program at Syracuse University in New York. She completed Airman Leadership School at Joint Base Charleston in 2006 and the Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, in 2015.

In addition to her Joint Service Commendation Medal and Air Force Combat Action Medal, Roberts has earned the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Latrinka F. Lee is a readiness technician with the Delaware Army National Guard’s 193rd Regional Training Institute in Bethany Beach, Delaware.

She was born in Milford, Delaware, and lived with her family in Seaford, Delaware, graduating from Sussex Central High School in 1997and then joining the National Guard. After basic and advanced individual training, she began taking college courses in psychology and childhood development.

Lee has traveled to numerous places within the United States and abroad for training and support missions and is now in her 19th year of service. Her additional duties include serving as a victim advocate for the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention, or SHARP, program and as a resilience training assistant, unit prevention leader, suicide prevention noncommissioned officer in charge, site security manager, records manager, and morale, welfare and recreation event coordinator.

She has been a youth mentor and counselor for 14 years, and she has supported organizations such as ManUp and Unique Leadership Program. Although open to all races, both organizations typically serve the African-American communities and were started to counteract poor grades, low graduation rates, increases in expulsions, and the number of youth being sent to prison.

Lee is an active leader at her church, serving on the leaderboard and youth committees. She has helped to coordinate programs such as providing supplies and food to homeless and individuals in need, Thanksgiving Food Outreach, Christmas Adopt a Family, and Dominion Gives. Recent efforts have resulted in more than 75 coats, 50 hygiene bags, toys, and clothing being donated to a homeless shelter in Salisbury, Maryland. She has also worked as a cancer outreach coordinator for The Cancer Support Community, and has worked with Nurse Navigators, which assists people in applying for free cancer screenings.

She and her husband, Army Sgt. 1st Class Jerry Lee II, met while in the military and soon will celebrate their 17th wedding anniversary. Her stepson, who she has raised since age 3, is a soldier serving at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He recently returned from his first deployment to Romania and Poland. Lee also has a younger son who will be graduating from high school this year and is considering continuing the family tradition by joining the military.

For more than 29 years, Marsha Walker Harris has provided exceptional service in the Department of the Navy. In August 1988, Marsha enlisted in the United States Navy. Excelling as an aviation maintenance administrator, she honorably served for 11 years. Transitioning to a civilian sector management position, Marsha briefly joined the Charles E. Smith team in Washington, District of Columbia. In December 1999, Marsha returned to the Department of the Navy, specifically joining the United States Marine Corps as a Civilian Marine. For 19 years, Marsha has dedicated her career to directly supporting the United States Marine Corps.

Currently, Marsha Walker Harris is the Assistant Branch Head of the Logistics Combat Elements Branch, Total Force Structure Division, Capability Development Directorate, Capability Development and Integration, Marine Corps Combat Development Command in Quantico, Virginia. Providing continuity to the Marine Corps’ Logistics Combat Element for more than 11 years, Marsha has been instrumental in developing and managing the personnel and equipment structure through multiple military reorganizations. Her leadership, attention to detail and knowledge is unsurpassed. A true duty expert in her field, Marsha’s expertise is sought out by military commands around the world.

Marsha is the first stop for occupational field sponsors, operating forces and Marine Corps Marine Air Ground Task Force advocates as the subject matter expert for logistics structure management. A leader, who operates effectively in the absence of guidance, Marsha’s detailed understanding of the Logistics Combat Element mission and strategic level processes allow her to efficiently manage the priorities of the organization. She persistently fosters an environment that facilitates high performance, while serving as a role model and mentor both in and out of the office.

Additionally, Marsha serves as the Scholarship Chairperson for Caldwell Thompson Companies Inc. and Black in Government at the Crossroads, Quantico Chapter. Her involvement in both organizations over the past eleven years has allowed approximately $50,000.00 to be awarded to deserving scholars in and out of the Virginia area, encouraging young adults to invest in a higher institution of learning and follow their dreams. Her contributions to and commitment within the community has assisted countless families in the region.

Marsha’s community involvement include the following organizations: LoisAnn’s Hope House, Fredericksburg VA; Toys for Tots; Habitat for Humanity; Girls Scouts; Fredericksburg Area Food Bank; Boys and Girl Club of the Rappahannock Region- Fredericksburg Branch; American Red Cross; Partnership of Academic Excellence.

Marsha is the proud mother of two daughters.

Air Force 1st Lt. Jennifer E. Weitekamp is a lifelong resident of Illinois and has been a member of the Illinois Air National Guard for nearly 18 years. She joined the Illinois Air National Guard as a member of the security forces squadron while still in high school and attended basic training the summer after graduation.

While working full-time and raising a family, she attended University of Illinois at Springfield and obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. Thereafter, she earned her Master of Education degree from the University of Illinois, Champaign. She received her commission in October 2015, and she resides in Athens, Illinois, with her husband, two sons and a daughter.

Weitekamp spent the first six and a half years of her military career in security forces. In 2001, she volunteered to attend the Air National Guard Counter Sniper School conducted by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center, Camp Joseph T. Robinson, North Little Rock, Arkansas. This course was an established Army course, and the Air National Guard course was a pilot course. But Weitekamp was denied attendance because the course wasn’t open to women. However, a couple weeks before the start of the course, school officials decided to let her attend, and on April 14, 2001, she became the first woman to complete the only U.S. military sniper school open to women.

Also in 2001, Weitekamp was named the security forces airman of the quarter. During her time in security forces, she spent nearly three years on Title 10 active duty and deployed several times in support of Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom.

In 2006, Weitekamp was recruited to the base legal office as a paralegal. In 2009, she was hired as a full-time federal technician, working as the remote designee, and she cross-trained to personnel. In this position, she was solely responsible for the administrative management of more than 250 full-time personnel.

Weitekamp then worked in the 183rd Air Operations Group commander’s support staff, responsible for the administrative management of more than 300 military members. While in this position, she applied and was selected to commission as the group commander’s executive officer. She is currently assigned as the supervisory human resources officer for the Illinois Human Resources Office. She supervises the employee relations section, human resources development and human resources information systems.

While enlisted, Weitekamp was the 2nd vice president for Chapter 1 of the Noncommissioned Officer Academy Graduate Association and the president of Chapter 75, Noncommissioned Officer Academy Graduate Association. This organization’s function is to support in-residence professional military education and to get as many enlisted interested in attending in-residence as possible.

She also brought the first satellite professional military education courses to the 183rd Fighter Wing, allowing unit members the opportunity to receive in-residence PME credit through distance learning combined with a shorter time away from home. She was the lead site facilitator for the program, which offered Airman Leadership School and Noncommissioned Officer Academy.

Weitekamp received the 183rd Fighter Wing’s 2012 Philip Quintenz Leadership Award, and in 2015, while working in the force support squadron, she was named as the honor guard member of the year.

She serves on her church’s safety team and volunteers during church clothing drives and special events. She also is active in the local community blood bank, donating as soon as she is eligible several times a year. Weitekamp is a life member of National Guard Association of the United States, Enlisted Association of The National Guard of the United States, National Guard Association of Illinois, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Ms. Loretta Vega is Deputy Director, 28th Force Support Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. She was born in New York City, New York and has worked for the Air Force in the Force Support career field since 1985.

Ms. Vega began her 32 year career as the first Air Force Child Development Center Director Intern. Since completing her internship at Hanscom AFB MA, she went on to positions at Edwards AFB CA, Spangdahlem AB Germany, Hickam AFB HI, Langley AFB VA, and currently Ellsworth AFB SD. Her roles have included Child Development Center Director, Recreation Services Chief, Child and Youth Services Flight Chief, Pacific Air Forces Child and Youth Programs Branch Chief, and Force Support Deputy Director.

Upon embarking on her current position, Ms. Vega assumed oversight over all the child, youth and family services, education, library, professional military education, marketing, food service, lodging, human resources, and recreation programs for Ellsworth Air Force Base, serving a population of 3.2K Airmen, 6.3K family members, 870 DoD civilians, and 7.4K retirees. Her responsibilities span 35 facilities, 350 personnel, and a total operating budget of over $6.9M.

During her tenure, financial performance and program quality have greatly improved. The dining facility has been recognized as the Major Command John L. Hennessy Food Service Excellence winner for 4th consecutive year, the Fitness program was named best in the Air Force, MAJCOM awards were garnered by Arts and Crafts, Bowling, Airman and Family Readiness, Military Personnel and 5 individual MAJCOM and 1 AF award were also received.

In addition to holding a BS in Psychology and an MBA in Business, Ms. Vega is also a graduate of Air Force Air Command and Staff College, as well as Leadership Institute of Virginia Peninsula and Leadership Rapid City. She has been recognized as Professional of the Year at the Wing, Major Command and 9th Air Force levels on numerous occasions. She has received the Air Force Civilian Meritorious Service Medal twice and the Air Force Exemplary Civilian Service Medal.

She contributed over 300 hours to the local community this past year serving in a variety of leadership positions. She is a board member for Women’s Networking Rapid City. In that role, she helped raise over $1K this year to provide scholarships enabling six women to pursue professional development. She is a graduate and has been an instructor for the last two sessions of the Black Hills State University Women’s Leadership Seminar, personally contributing the advancement and professional growth of 105 local women.

She also serves as an Ambassador for the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Rapid City Cultural Steering Committee where she has built numerous networks and partnerships. She has served on the board member for Destination Rapid City for the last two years, facilitating numerous collaborations to benefit Airmen, families and our civilian partners, to include reduced and free tickets to events, Honor Guard representation at Military Appreciation events and the Stock Show, free bus service to Rapid City events, and several sponsorship agreements.

Second Lieutenant Cherie Gambino is a Flight Test Engineer, 461st Flight Test Squadron, 412th Test Wing, Air Force Material Command, Edwards Air Force Base, California. She leads a team of military, civilian and contractors in the role of Test Conductor on the Developmental Test and Evaluation of the F-35A Drag Chute System. Her team conducts test planning, execution, & reporting on aircraft performance and subsystems for the USAF and our partner nation, Norway.

Second Lieutenant Gambino was commissioned in 2016 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program after completing studies at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. In her undergraduate studies she participated in the Honor Guard, tutored, and conducted research on the aerodynamics of Annular wings. During her first Air Force assignment, Second Lieutenant Gambino has excelled in the nuances of Test Conduct specific to the F-35 program. As a project engineer conducting testing on the F-35A Drag Chute System she has lead her team to expand the operational capabilities of the F-35 with the addition of a drag chute and wet runway operational capability verification. As an integral part of a 68 person team Second Lieutenant Gambino deployed the first F-35 to Alaska and conducted ground breaking testing, which certified the F-35 for operations in icing conditions. During this testing she utilized her team effectively and successfully executed 14 test points in one sortie, and in doing so, supported Norway’s F-35 A Initial Operational Capability declaration. Concurrently, she served as a Test conductor in the F-35 Mission Systems development team supporting the closure of the F-35 program’s System Design & Demonstration phase to deliver combat capabilities to the Combat Air Force. As a Flight Test Engineer, she oversaw engineering teams containing 30 plus personnel through test preparation and execution, involving over $15 M in DOD assets. Second Lieutenant Gambino was selected in December 2017 to obtain a Masters degree in Sustainable Engineering at Arizona State University and commences coursework in the fall of 2018. She is currently in the F-16 Mission Aircrew training pipeline to support airborne testing from the back seat and will be complete in early March 2018.

2016 Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Arizona

1. January 2016 – present, Flight Test Engineer, Edwards Air Force Base, California

• 2016 Drag Chute System Test Team of the Quarter F-35 Joint Program Office
• 2016 Drag Chute System Test Team of the Quarter 412th Test Wing
• 2016 Coined by F-35 Joint Program Office Executive Director

Second Lieutenant December , 2016

Sabrina A. Tullock is an administrative assistant for the commandant of the Chief Master Sgt. Paul H. Lankford Enlisted Professional Military Education Center, I.G. Brown Training and Education Center, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee.

A Tennessee native, she enlisted in the Tennessee Air National Guard in 1986 as an information manager. In October 2014, she retired as a master sergeant with 28 years of service and has continued her service to the airmen of the Air National Guard in her current position as a civil servant, where she drives front-office operations in a dynamic educational environment.

Serving six commandants, she provides continuity within the Air National Guard, affecting the total force. Tullock also been a staple in protocol operations, providing insight and guidance for the many distinguished visitors who arrive at the center seeking awareness and support for the development of their airmen.

Tullock promotes enlisted professional military education and opportunities that McGhee Tyson has to offer all airmen in the Air Force. She has advised on monthly newsletters as well as student recognition methods to ensure each wing commander and command chief master sergeant is aware of and understands the accomplishments of their airmen attending Airman Leadership School and the Noncommissioned Officer Academy.

She attended the Tennessee First Sergeants Symposium in 2017 and ensured the 2018 symposium would be held at McGhee Tyson. It is projected to be the largest of its kind, servicing Air National Guard, active duty and Air Force Reserve members continuing their development while supporting all airmen.

She is an active participant in the local community, providing many volunteer hours to her church while also giving her time to the base’s host unit, the 134th Air Refueling Wing, where her husband serves as the logistics readiness first sergeant.