Episode 16. Judgment-Free Social Courage

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Tammy Barlette is a retired Lieutenant Colonel and fighter pilot. She has flown multiple aircraft, to include the T-37 Tweet, T-38 Talon, A-10 Warthog, MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper, accumulating more than 3000 total flying hours. A Minnesota native, with no ties to aviation, she grew up with a heart to serve her country, and that is just what she did. She joined Air Force ROTC at the University of Minnesota and the possibility of becoming a pilot was presented to her for the first time; that is where her love of aviation began.

Tammy completed Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training in April of 2000, an upon graduation was immediately assigned to be an instructor in the T-37. After training hundreds of students the skills of aerobatics, instruments and formation, she then moved on to fly the mighty A-10 Warthog, where she completed a remote tour to Osan Air Base, Korea. After an aircraft injury required cervical spine reconstruction, Tammy transitioned to the Arizona Air National Guard. She flew the MQ-1 Predator and the MQ-9 Reaper, accumulating over 1500 hours of combat support time in both Iraq and Afghanistan supporting and protecting our troops on the ground, providing real time reconnaissance and lethal support. During this time Tammy also graduated from the prestigious US Air Force Weapons School.

Desiring to get back into a high performance aircraft and having a passion to teach, Tammy then transitioned to the Air Force Reserves, instructing in the T-38 Talon for the last 6 years of her 20 year military career. Her focus was on balancing family life as a married mother of three with instructing in the fast paced environment of the Air Force’s premier fighter trainer. She excelled at both, earning multiple awards and spearheading new programs to mentor and grow professional aviators. Additionally, while working full time, running a business and raising three kids, she earned her Master’s in Christian Ministry

Tammy and her husband, who is a federal agent, reside in Tucson, AZ with their three children. She retired from the Air Force in 2018 after 20 years of service and now runs Athena’s Voice, a women veteran speaking business featuring 13 female pilots on a mission to share the wisdom of women warriors.

Favorite Quote:

Generosity gives more to the giver than the receiver when it is truly authentic, therefore…Give from your heart in order to fill your heart!

Quote from Show:

“We are social creatures. We are meant to care about each other, we are meant to love each other, we are meant to help each other…..you can get so much further together.”

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