"It doesn't matter what your politics are, it doesn't matter what your thoughts are about someone's capabilities, no-one has the right to tell someone else that their dream is wrong".
Bad-Ass Qualifications
- Flew over 100 Combat Search & Rescue Missions in Afghanistan.
- Whilst wounded, made an emergency landing before rescuing several wounded soldiers.
- Carried out dozens of civilian rescues on land & at sea following natural disasters.
- Fought against the Combat Exclusion Policy, preventing women applying for combat roles.
- Author of the book "Shoot Like A Girl", detailing her military career.
Often in life, standards set by faceless, nameless organisations exclude so many potentially great individuals from achieving their potential in a given field. Mary Jennings-Hegar has not only exceeded these standards in her military career but was also influential in changing legislation, opening doors for other women to achieve within the military and setting an example for all to follow.
Jennings-Hegar has countless stories to tell, the most re-told being of a particularly heroic rescue mission in Afghanistan on July 29th 2009. Jennings-Hegar, having received information of injured US soldiers requiring rescue, piloted a medevac helicopter to a location just outside of Kandahar. En route, Jennings-Hegar learned the soldiers were pinned down by Taliban forces. On approach, her helicopter soon became the target of enemy fire.
Seated in the left pilot seat of HH-60M MEDEVAC Black Hawk Helicopter, Jennings-Hegar expertly piloted her craft to allow pararescue units to exit from the open side hatch of the helicopter. It was at this point that the front windscreen of the helicopter smashed under fire, showering Jennings-Hegar with shrapnel. These razor sharp pieces of glass and metal embedded themselves in her arm and thigh, while still airborne.
Despite the concern of her crew, Jennings-Hegar insisted she was still able to control the helicopter. Swinging around, she made a controlled landing, where the wounded were able to be successfully loaded aboard on stretchers. The injured, requiring further medical treatment, needed to be evacuated immediately. While still bleeding and surrounded by Taliban forces, Jennings-Hegar took off. While evading fire, it became clear that the helicopter was losing fuel rapidly due to a round of machine gun fire severing the fuel line.
With no other options available, Jennings-Hegar performed an emergency landing, still deep in hostile territory. Abandoning the helicopter, Jennings-Hegar and her crew picked up their rifles, mounting a defence against the impending attack, at least long enough for further units to assist them. Jennings-Hegar and crew dodged, ran and returned fire until finally, two army helicopters were able to assist. However, these helicopters were already fully loaded, having just enough space to take the wounded soldiers.
This meant that Jennings-Hegar would have to hang onto the outside of the helicopter whilst standing on it's skids, looping her belt over the helicopter's rocket mount for support. Overlooking the scene, the flash of enemy gunfire could be seen directed towards the helicopter. Leaning from the skid she was standing on, rifle in hand, Jennings-Hegar quickly returned fire, buying enough time for the helicopter to return to base. Later in 2009, Jennings-Hegar was awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Individual feats of bravery such as this show just how bad-ass individuals can be in the moment. But Jennings-Hegar, having piloted dozens of similar missions, took this in her stride. Whether whilst on tours of duty in Afghanistan or carrying payloads of water to extinguish wildfire's, it is undeniable that she has developed and used her skills to remarkable effect.
However, Jennings-Hegar's actions away from the battlefield are equally impressive. Following her flying career, remaining active in the military as a Reservist Liaison, Jennings-Hegar took on a new challenge.
The Combat Exclusion Policy, established in United States Armed Forces Law, excluded women from combat roles. In 1993, this policy was lifted somewhat, allowing women to serve in the majority of aviation capacities. However, this policy clearly states the following:
The Combat Exclusion Policy
"A. Rule. Service members are eligible to be assigned to all positions for which they are qualified, except that women shall be excluded from assignment to units below the brigade level whose primary mission is to engage in direct combat on the ground, as defined below.
B. Definition. Direct ground combat is engaging an enemy on the ground with individual or crew served weapons, while being exposed to hostile fire and to a high probability of direct physical contact with the hostile force’s personnel. Direct ground combat takes place well forward on the battlefield while locating and closing with the enemy to defeat them by fire, maneuver, or shock effect."
This policy also excluded women from being attached to non-combat units, such as medical teams, who would be in close proximity of combat units. Even as recently as 2012, approximately a fifth of military positions remained ineligible for women due to this policy. However, as Jennings-Hegar has clearly demonstrated, women can and have served in front line combat, above and beyond what could be expected of any soldier.
In 2012, Jennings-Hegar took the lead in suing the US Air Force regarding the removal of the Combat Exclusion Policy. Jennings-Hegar's own military history, along with the testimony of other serving female soldiers of course demonstrates that the policy required lifting, but it was also revealed by Jennings-Hegar that battlefield commanders were already finding ways to get women on the battlefield to engage in sensitive duties interacting with other women.
Shortly after, the Secretary of Defence agreed, the Combat Exclusion Policy was lifted, prompting the following statement:
"If members of our military can meet the qualifications for a job, then they should have the right to serve, regardless of creed, color, gender or sexual orientation,"
Having decided to pursue a career in politics, Jennings-Hegar has ran for Democratic nomination each year since 2017, her campaigns focusing on healthcare. Her multiple campaigns caught the attention of former president Barack Obama, who endorsed her campaign in 2020.
Jennings-Hegar epitomises challenging standards, norms and boundaries. Her heroic feats coupled with her passion to create an equal and fair military service undoubtedly serves as motivation to thousands of aspiring men and women.
Having risked her life countless times at war, Jennings-Hegar is sometimes asked whether she is encouraging violence in asking women to go to war. As mentioned in her TEDx Talk in 2016, Jennings-Hegar is instead encouraging men and women from any background to follow their heart, discover their passion and to pursue it no matter what.
"If there is one thing I’ve learned about the differences between us all throughout my years of service, it’s this: putting the right person in the right job has very little to do with one’s gender, race, religion, or other demographic descriptor. It has everything to do with one’s heart, character, ability, determination and dedication."
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