Author:
Coreen Eklund
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Date Posted: 15:41:44 01/17/10 Sun
I ran across this article in Tiger Flight, the Capitol Flyer, and the Internet. ANOTHER female USAF lady claiming to be a first. We all know the 1st LE Tech School to graduate females was in 1974. In 1975 Rickie Thompson was the 1st MWD handler followed by Debbie Rogers and Sherry Shapiro, Sally Batiste was the 1st in Law Enforcement, Coreen Eklund was the 1st in Resource Protection, and Annie Hall the 1st in Traffic. Absolutely NO females from MWD or RP would even think about a French manicure. It just didn't work after walking washouts and perimeters all night. The "mandating a makeup application class" was the 2 hour class EVERY USAF MEMBER got in boot camp................it was called "Personal Hygience and Grooming" and also included foot care, hair length/style regulations, and the use of soap and deoderant. And I cannot believe it was 1984 before a female cop made it to Spangdahlem AFB, Germany. Oh, AND this Loretta Martin also is due thanks (???) for being the 1st female security policeman to have a maternity profile??? Does that mean Sally Batiste and Coreen Eklund have to shove those kids back in us......and hold on our deliveries until after 1986 when Loretta Martin did this? So, ladies of the 70's, sit back, open a cold one like we did in the Cop's Cove, and take a minute to read this noodle-headed PRETENDER from the 316th Wing at Andrews AFB claiming she was the first.
Recent retiree paved the way for female SPs
by Pacifica Chehy
Capital Flyer staff writer
9/4/2009 - ANDREWS AFB, Md. -- Retired Master Sgt. Loretta D. Martin recently concluded her retirement remarks by thanking friends and family for their years of support by saying, "When traveling down the roads of life, and you come across a turtle sitting on top of a fence post, remember it did not get there by itself."
With those few words acknowledging those who helped her throughout her military career, she became a civilian. Unlike many who retire after years of serving in the military, Ms. Martin was able to continue working as a civilian in the same office, the 316th Wing Equal Opportunity Office director.
In her 23-year military career, Sergeant Martin paved the way for the many women who wanted a career in the military. As a young dependent spouse, married for three years, Ms. Martin joined the Air Force and answered her nation's call.
She joined in 1986, just two years after the Air Force stopped mandating a make-up application class for female Airmen. When she joined, the uniform for women included a princess-cut blue blouse with an A-line skirt, blueberry-ladies' besets and French-tip manicured fingers. She has seen the role of women in the military change dramatically in her 23-year career. She has also seen the Air Force's values change, too.
"I've had the opportunity to watch the Air Force evolve under the principles of 'Aiming High' to the world's best Air and Space Force in which 'No One Comes Close," she said.
In her career, Ms. Martin was able to forge a new role for women by serving as an Airman in security forces, which used to be called security police. In October 1986, Ms. Martin was the first female security policeman to complete technical school; additionally, she served as the only female student leader in an all-male flight and became the first security policeman at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, from October 1986 to December 1989.
The women who work in security forces and who are expecting a child can thank Ms. Martin, as she was the first female security policeman to have a maternity profile. Further, Ms. Martin was also the first female master surveillance facility control operator for a nuclear weapons storage area.
"It was funny; during one of the first briefings I went to as an SP, the men were told that they could no longer use profanity and could no longer say - well, let's say 'guy things' that might embarrass me," she said. "What they didn't know is that I was used to rough-housing, thanks to my brother who is now a Marine. I'm tough. There was no such thing as 'girl pushups.' I did what the guys did."
Because Ms. Martin paved the way for the inclusion of women herself, she is ideally suited for her current position as the Equal Opportunities director on base.
"These events hold great significance because I myself have experienced equal opportunity for over 23 years in the Air Force based on my merit, fitness and capabilities," Ms. Martin said. "I can rest assured knowing that our Air Force has policies in place to ensure every Airman, civilian and military member has that same opportunity, too."
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