WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- During the last couple of years, an organization known as ARC Athena met in person to educate Air Force Reserve and Guard Airmen on several initiatives aimed to identify and develop solutions to female-and-family-centric barriers of military service.
The organization focuses on nine lines of effort: Childcare Programs, Policies and Entitlements, Pregnancy Discrimination and Maternal Bias, Aircraft Limitation/Sanitation, One Size Does Not Fit All, Countering Sexual Assault and Harassment, Lactation Rooms/IVF/Breastmilk Shipment, Maternal Fitness, Female Specialized Healthcare, and Exceptional Family Member Program.
Maj. Gen. Regina Sabric, 10th Air Force commander, described ARC Athena as a grassroots effort by “a lot of people who just cared.”
The movement is comprised and championed by all genders and ranks. With the Reserve command represented by approximately 25% women, the goal is for LOEs being examined to one day affect policy, planning and decision making at all levels.
I attended this event to learn the issues that mostly affect female Airmen, specifically families. I’ve had Airmen miss out on valuable annual training because of breastmilk shipment concerns. Now, there is a joint regulation in place that eases the burden on shipment costs for families, and it’s truly the behind-the-scenes efforts of organizations like ARC Athena and the Women’s Initiative Team that bring issues like this to light and eventual policy.
The 2024 event was held at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, with more 400 attendees, 270 of which were in person. Speakers this year included Brig. Gen. Jennie Johnson, Air Reserve Personnel Center commander, and Deanne Criswell, FEMA director.
When I’m in uniform, I try to be a model to young women on what they can be one day. I want to be able to accurately answer their questions in hopes of recruiting the next generation of Airmen and families.
If you are interested in learning more about ARC Athena, attending the next event or working on a specific LOE, please contact Lt. Col. Miranda Laubie, Lt. Col. Sabrina Ocampo or Senior Master Sgt. Kerrie Schutte.