Not Your Father’s Military

A comic-style illustration inside an airplane hangar. A surprised older man in a military flight suit, labeled "MSgt," reacts with wide eyes and open mouth. He says, "The Captain is... a WOMAN?!" Behind him, a large aircraft labeled "THE BOX OFFICE" appears. A speech bubble from the plane introduces the captain as Judith Campbell and welcomes everyone aboard the "all-female box office." The scene highlights surprise at a woman captain in command.

While the Air Force C-5’s engines were turning over, a female crew member gave the G.I.s on board the usual safety briefing regarding seat belts, emergency exits, and equipment.

Finally, she announced, “Now sit back and enjoy your flight while your captain, Judith Campbell, and her all-female crew take you safely to Afghanistan.”

An old Master Sergeant sitting in the eighth row paused and thought to himself, Did I hear that right? Is the captain a woman?

When the flight attendant passed by his seat again, he asked, “Did I understand you correctly? Is the captain a woman?”

“Yes, Sergeant,” she replied. “In fact, the entire crew is female.”

“My God,” he said, shaking his head. “I wish I had two double scotch and sodas. I don’t know what to think with only women up there in the cockpit.”

“That’s another thing, Sergeant,” the crew member said with a smile. “We no longer call it the cockpit—it’s the box office.”

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *