JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Learn first-hand about life as an Air Force instructor pilot through the experiences of a 71st Flying Training Wing officer on the latest episode of "The Air Force Starts Here" podcast, released Sept. 13, 2022.
Dan Hawkins from the Air Education and Training Command public affairs team spoke virtually with Capt. Ashley Bird, 33rd Flying Training Squadron executive officer at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, about her journey to the military, the path to becoming a pilot, the pros and cons of being a force generator, and her personal life being military married to military.
Bird also talks about rated diversity improvement, which is the Air Force’s focused, long-term effort to attract, recruit, develop, and retain a diverse rated leadership corps through deliberate efforts to raise awareness about aviation career opportunities, developing strategic partnerships, removing potential barriers to service and mentoring current aviators.
The professional development podcasts are designed to help communicate and inform Total Force Airmen across the globe on relevant, timely topics related to the recruiting, training, education and development fields and can be listened to on the government network on the AETC website, DVIDS, or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify as well. Future episodes are set to cover a wide range of topics, including force development, and much more.