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Marian Smith / msnbc.com
Barbara Westgate, a senior civilian executive in the US Air Force, recalled how a general once patted her on the head and remarked on how "pretty" she was after he was told of her promotion. She now helps to manage more than $822 billion in Air Force funding.
LONDON — When Barbara Westgate joined the U.S. Air Force as a secretary in 1973, her career goal was to earn $5,000 a year.
"I thought I wanted to be a housewife," she recalled.
Today, Westgate is the civilian equivalent of a three-star general who helps to manage $822 billion (over five years*) in the Air Force's future defense program.
Westgate was among the pioneering women serving in the military, intelligence and security services from around the world who gathered in London this week to discuss their experiences in leadership positions.
She told msnbc.com how an older male general offered his congratulations when she was promoted to director of logistics for the Air Force's advanced tactical aircraft program in 1988. "Of course you got the job, Barb, you're just so pretty," he said, before patting Westgate on the head.
"He was just from that generation," said Westgate, who is now a Washington, D.C.-based officer in the senior executive service of the Air Force. "He thought he was paying me a compliment." Furious as she was, Westgate didn't take it personally.
Amid the neat uniforms, gold insignia, polished medals, ribbons and brass buttons, the stories were often similar. The Royal Norwegian Navy commander who was the world's first woman to serve on a submarine, the British Royal Navy commander who was the first female flag officer, the Swedish Air Force colonel who was the first woman to command a regiment. When the latter was asked how it felt to be a woman in command, she said, "Well, I’ve always been a woman."
There was little bitterness. Delegates were quick to point out that their militaries had only really begun to open their doors to women in the past 20 years. It will take time for women to reach senior leadership roles, they reminded each other.
U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Carol Pottenger said she started her career in 1978 on a tour in Pearl Harbor, a non-operational assignment far from any front line. It was a typical assignment for women then.
In the 1990s, the Navy began opening up ships and other divisions to women. Now 93 percent of assignments allow them – including the Navy SEALs in support capacity roles. However, that's not 100 percent. Pottenger explained the reality of what that meant for her current role as deputy chief of staff for capability and development at NATO Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation in Norfolk, Va.: "I could command 40,000 sailors, but in one of the … [divisions] I commanded, women couldn't even serve."
Marian Smith / msnbc.com
Colonel Lena Hallin, center, is a Swedish defense attache.
Speaking to a room full of nodding heads, she added: "If you're going to recruit and retain the best and the brightest, you can't afford to ignore half the population."
Pottenger commended the mentorship programs and other policies that have opened up the military to women but urged young cadets to actively put themselves forward for more leadership roles and encouraged senior officers to aggressively support the policies from the top.
'I guess the message got through'
"Don’t be silly, we didn’t mean women,” Commodore Elizabeth Steele was told when she applied for a post with Canada's navy on a U.N. mission in Cambodia in 1992. She had joined the navy in 1986, when women weren't allowed to be maritime officers because of a policy that deemed them "not qualified."
But by then sea logistics had opened up to women and Steele submitted her application for the tour. Disgruntled by the response she got, Steele shot back that they should have specified that women need not apply.
"I guess the message got through because I ended up in Cambodia," she said.
Steele, who is now the deputy chief of staff and associate deputy minister at Canada's department of defense, advocates the concept of gender intelligence – or recognizing the different strengths men and women have and using them effectively.
"We have better teams … if we have teams that are diverse," Steele added.
However, one of the most important results Steele has seen of women entering the military is the influence it has on people in countries like Afghanistan — where women are not considered equal citizens.
It is important "for a young child to see women in a combat or military role," she said. “There is a connection that a female soldier makes with a person" that is unique and powerful.
Hosted by the Royal United Services Institute, an independent think tank for defense and security, the Women in Defence and Security Leadership conference wraps up today.
*The initial post failed to indicate that the $822 billion budget was over a five-year period.
Leave a Comment:
And they still can't account for more than 15 billions per year.
What the hell are you talking about? Who is 'they'? Where do you get your figures? Are you trying to say the DoD can't account for $15B a year?
I think it is ludicrous for a country to have unemployed, no health care for the people, but plenty for the military whcih have all the benefits. They are defending us against what? Poverty and sickness?
Ot the wars they create in back halls to make money. Poor woman is just another small keg in the military industrial complex and used as advertising campaign on nationalism.
Hell women were warriors in Europe 2000 years ago and came here on a ship before in Columbus! Most likely captain of the ship.
Right, more than that.
here is the glitch they have all the benefits we pay for and we have nothing but the bill.
Ok, they defend us against poverty and sickness?
She is another little person in the mighty military machine and a woman? Wow, women warriors came here 2000 years ago on ships before Columbus.
Being woman and warriors is nothing new except in this country we wanted to sell them like horses.
that just proves any dummy can run any government agency
lee-4178054 - Your solution is to get rid of the military and start sending checks to the unemployed?
BTW, that plan adds about 2 million more folks to the ranks of the unemployed.
Skup - the jobs in the military do not produce anything. There is a big difference between jobs where widgets are made, or services are rendered, and non-productive jobs like in the military. Some level of military services are very much needed in society, but US spends more on the defense than the rest of the world combined, which is pure pathology. On top of that, US is running the wars on money borrowed from China and others.
Max,
I understand that you are frustrated by government over-spending. We all are. There has to be a balance between adequately protecting our nation and taking care of our needy. But your statement that "the jobs in the military do not produce anything" is incorrect.
The US military does develop useful products that benefit all of society. Much of the world's advanced technology comes from research initiatives that started in DoD and in conjunction with trusted international military partners. Although the DoD acquisition process can be cumbersome and frustrating, we all benefit from the dedication and sacrifice of our military scientists and engineers.
Have a great weekend. --Laura
She gave up being a mere "wannabe housewife" to go out an kill people. At least she gets paid for the latter. It's the "wannabe housewives" that are raising the children who will have the compassion and respect to care for you and pay your social security in your old age. So silly that doing the ultimate "man's job" of killing people is more respected than raising children with values. Where is our tax money going to anyway?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIkksi344cM
The answer(check out above link) is all over talk radio but not so much on the lame stream TV.
Laura, something like 80% of all research money spent in US goes into defense related research, as opposed to less than 10% in Europe. US is investing in killing people, plain and simple. If a small portion of this money produces something useful for society that is not a cause for celebration.
But I appreciate your kindness... :)
Stupid Air Force = stupid Fed-Gov jobs program for self-serving, tax-slurping leaches.
Really? Golly. I thought when my dad was putting in all those 14 hour days keeping B52's in the air during the Cuban Missile Crisis that he was being kind of useful. Thanks for clearing that up, DAK.
DAK nailed it. The Navy is even worse of a moneypit with their fragile yachts bobbing in coastal waters as targets for Exocets and Sunburn missiles.
Coming from a tupperware warfare enthusiast thats funny glockhead . Glocks are for fat cops who struggle with 4 lbs of Colt .
So she's the one to blame then! Thanks for letting everyone know. I bet she will just LOVE this article.
Good for her, but too bad for us taxpayers that the USAF alone is spending so much!
Indeed! Disgusting salary amount for that job!!!!!!! Let's finally get real people and put and end to this lucicrous spending. Shame on the USAF!
No wonder they cannot balance the checkbook!
Edwardo, you must be hangin on some really dumb girls you sexist pig.
the dumber the better, girls cannot add or subtract. slutty women are the best.
The "headline appears to glorify that 822 BILLION in INSANE SPENDING is an admirable thing?"
Typical PMSNBC Twisted Logic.
822 BILLION IS EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG with this country... no matter which BIMBO is spending it.
If it is ANY DEMOCRAT parasite doing it, it must be a "good thing?"
If it is some Republican or Conservative, even a Black woman like Condoleeza Rice, then it must be BAD?
Funny how that works at this "pathetic excuse for a news outlet".
Years ago, there were ads for "hiring the handicapped".
Today, PMSNBC specializes in "hiring the ignorant, retarded and brain dead".
Calm down speedy. Go to the beach and have a cocktail.
Wow, Speedy didn't get enough hugs from his mom when he was little... I'd give you a hug if you think it would help! :)
Speedy the meth is catching up to you. You sound like a tea bagger on steroids. This money is to defend our country if anything I thought you guys didn't want defense cuts. Got to protect the country. There is a Muslim around every corner & we gots to defend ourselves or we will be fighting them in our backyards. If this so "pathetic why are you here? I'm also so glad you were able rant like that, it makes easy to weed out the nut jobs.
He is a little funky, isn't he...I am wondering how he knows she is a bimbo?
As I recall, the national defense budget is the sacred cow of the "REPUBLICAN" party. The democrats have been objecting to the obscene defense budget, and the budget busting cost of not one but TWO foreign wars that have been going on for over a DECADE now. And just as our troops are FINALLY getting withdrawn from Iraq, these same Republican idiots start condemning Obama for keeping to the time table that they themselves set up prior to his election.
You know, you tea baggers are totally full of S#!T...and the adults in the room are really starting to get tired of your little temper tantrums. You're stupid, you're uninformed (misinformed at best), and you have the collective political acumen of a turnip. You espouse the agenda of billionaires who have about as much in common with YOU as a fish has in common with a bicycle, and yet you STILL rant and rave about issues that you have totally wrong.
Enough! EDUCATE yourselves. Take a constitutional government class of something (I had to in high school and in college too), but for GAWDS sake go get some knowledge of what you're trying to talk about. JEEZ!
Speedy, go ahead say what you mean, don't hold back. When your all done hold a cattle prod on your forehead and hit the switch until it stops hurting. Trust me, I'm a Doctor.
Totally agree with you, James Griffin, you took the words out of my mouth.
No bimbo exist except in your short sighted brain. Women warriors have always been .They came here on ships 2000 years ago to escape the church of England
wow, too much sun eh
That $822 Billion is several years worth of budget. Most programs take five to ten years(or more) from start to finish.
Speedy,
If it's so bad on this site, please go somewhere to post your inane comments.
I have a son in the Air Force and an ex-Navy son, so I am all for supporting our Defenders. I am not for "entanglement in foreign affairs". Those of you with an education will recognize the quote. When I see an Air Force pilot looking for a house in Okinawa and find his housing allowance for him and his wife alone was $4500.00/mo, I suddenly realized why our military budget is so huge! Something has to change! We cannot continue to borrow money to provide this.
The article is about women in the military, not DoD spending. Times sure were different back then and bravo to those female pioneers who managed to make it in a man's world. While I still think women in combat is a double-edged blade (logistically it's awkward and let's face it, most women aren't as strong as men), it's not because I consider them inferior. I like the phrase "gender intelligence." Women aren't the same as men, even if we can do many of the same jobs (yes, I'm female). Playing to each gender's strengths will give us the best fighting force.
If the fighting force only invades destitute countries and drops bombs on hopelessly defensless peasants who do not have a single airplane nor tank, why do we need hundreds of nearly trillion dollar murderous makework projects that line the pockets of Boeing, Lockheed, etc?
Huh? What does that have to do with the article? Did you even read it?
"defenseless peasants"? Are you kidding me?!? Our boys and girls aren't fighting any "defenseless peasants".
Most of our electronics and gadgets (cell phones, tablets, GPS, etc.) were first developed by and for the military - a lot of that spending goes to companies like Lockheed and Boeing and puts a lot of people to work.
It's not just about strength. It's a cultural and team dynamics issue. Women will never understand just how large a distraction they really are.
Talk about money thrown into the campfire. What a colossal waste of money. Land of the Elite, Home of Boeing. When was the last war that was a victory of sorts for this murderous money pit crowd? 1945.
Occupiers! Wake up in that tent and shake off that Meth haze! Here is a person who actually worked her way up. She didn't ask for anything like you are doing. You won't get paid much playing that guitar. You won't get paid much doing what you love. If you want money, you will have to work hard for it. You will have to put in more than 8 hours a day doing something that you wouldn't do if you had a choice. But that is what we all have to do. We want to provide for ourselves and our families, so we work hard and don't complain.
And don't forget the need to work up a grand bit of self-righteousness too. You've sure done a fine job of it.
$822 billion in the AF's FUTURE defence funding. Assume that means it's an arbitrary figure of the AF's "wish list" which likely won't materilize under current economic conditions. The F-35 JSF is under the gun and likely the B & C versions will be cancelled. The "A" version (Air Force version) is well along and might continue. But the Marines will have to do with their Harriers and the Navy can up it's purchases of F/A-18 E(single seat) and F(dual seat) which are up to the job. The Marines will likely go to the E/F to replace their aging C/D versions.
Being a woman, I bet she's making $10,000 a year now.
Her salary is a matter of public record. Look up her position on the civilian scale. Google it.
We tied in Korea, we lost Vietnam, Irag, and Afghanistan. So our record since WWII is 0-3-1. We're pulling out of Irag (just as Vietnam), we're pulling out of Afghanistan(just as Vietnam). So she's in charge of the budget. That means she makes the decisions on where to spend the money that has been allocated by congress. She's probably doing a great job. All power to her, but does the news need to run a story about a senior executive? Have worked with many women senior executives, they do the job cause the job has to be done. It doesn't matter what gender you are when you're in that position of authority. But because the senior executive is female, someone as msnbc thought it would be a good story. Boring.
Yup, very similar to your incoherent comment.
Fatboy needs to fatten his brain!
I'm curious how you figure we lost Iraq and Afghan.? They are occupied by us and running and yes there are still pockets of conflict, they are far from lost...pinhead
You obviously didn't read the article. The article isn't just about her, its about the Women in Defence and Security Leadership international conference.
Military service has its perks. Serve for 2+ years and get free healthcare for life along with many other benefits. Reminds me of our own State's public employees retirement system.
Unlike some others, I appreciate the work of people in public service provide but we've reached a point where the many retirement benefits given to them have surpassed our ability to pay.
You are wrong. Unless a person retires (more than 20 years of service) or has a service related injury or condition, they do not get medical care for life. Non-retirees only get care for service related injuries/conditions.
Signed,
Spouse of a USAF Colonel with 30 years of service
Don't burst his bubble. It gets ugly when a Republican troll figures out that Faux is full of it.
Jack, no one gets free health care for life. I retired after 22 years in the military and I pay for my health care, just like every other military retiree. You might want to check your facts.
I served under Mrs Westgate during my AF career, and she is one of the best bosses for whom I've ever worked. She is extremely intelligent and a great leader. I'm happy to see she has continued to excel since I worked for her. She is an exceptional role model for women, especially those who work in male-dominated career fields.
His real name is JackBSTUPID
You obviously don't know much about the military. not true about getting healthcare benefits after 2+ years of service. I know , I have family members that were in the military and they pay the same as you and me.
My husband is USN Retired, and we pay for our medical insurance. No freebies, JackB.
Yeah, this woman is spending BILLIONS but as of a month ago, supposedly the Pentagon could not account for over $600 BILLION SPENT. And this woman is getting acolades? We really are morons! That's the problem with our government, they know all too well how to spend but don't know how can can't account for their spending. Maybe the governments spending should be in the hands of private sector businessmen and accountants that knows something. No incentive in the government for doing a good job. In the private sector you could expect promotions, bonus' for doing a good job. In government, all you have to do is show up for work.s
You mean the Wall Street private sector and banksters and private citizens who reaped the benefits and ripped the 99% of us and left us in this deep, deep hole that'll take years to get out of?
@R. Woodward, I'm usually much more reserved in my replies but, Sir, you are an idiot! I spent 38+ years with the Government (Department of Defense) and can attest that most Government employees are very dedicated to their jobs. Every day of my career I worked diligently to assure that the warfighter received a quality product that would serve him/her in the manner needed. Product, by the way, that was manufactured by the private sector and who often chose to circumvent their contractual obligations during manufacturing. In my case, I not only served the American warfighter, but also the military services of our allies.
The Government worker is rewarded in much the same way as the private sector, through promotions and bonuses. Promotions and bonuses are based on performance and merit, again similarly to how the private sector works. I'll venture that the bonuses most Government workers receive pale in comparison to that received their counterpart in the private sector. Yes, the Government has slackers, but my experience with the private sector showed that they too had slackers and for what ever reason could or would not get rid of the deadwood. You believe that the private sector can do it better; bull@!$%#! The Government doesn't work for a profit, but the private sector does and that directly affects their performance in many cases. I can attest that there are more than a few private sector contractors that I dealt with who are now out of business due to being convicted for fraud. Money (profit) has an insidious way of eating into the quality of a product.
What do you do for the warfighter on a daily basis?
Frank, I try to make sure that there ARE no bogus, Bush-style wars to send our warfighters to. If it wasn't for the Kirkuk oilfield, Bush would never have bothered to lie to us and tell us that Iraq was the cause of 9/11, + it had nukes. I do my part for the warfighter. I wear my t-shirt, the one with the picture of Bush on it. Above Bush's ugly face it says: "I screwed you all (and below his ugly face it reads: but thanks for blaming the Black guy." I change off to different colors every day, and alternate my garb on Sunday with my BIG white t-shirt, the one that says MEET THE FOKKERS, with a picture of Bush & Cheney.
THAT'S what I do for the warfighter. Yup. Try to put him/her OUT OF BUSINESS. Oh by the way? I WOULD have approved of the war if it had been held against Saudi Arabia. They're the ones who brought down the Twin Towers. Being that bin Laden was Bush's closest friend, I never expected that the Saudis were anything but massively protected by the Bushes, but I was sickened by the fact that Bush Jr. showed his mourning so obviously when the REAL American President--our first since 2000-- Barack Obama, had Binny killed. And Bush's response?
He refused to go to the ceremony where President Obama honored the members of Seal Team 6. I can't believe we allowed this anti-American, election-stealing prick to keep the White House for 8 long years. Actually we didn't--his disgusting Republican party rigged two elections to make that happen. Then from January until he left, the little turd dumped HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF OUR JOBS OVERSEAS--and we just sat there. We should have been like Occupy and taken to the streets until the little germ was out of there. Thank God for Occupy--they're teaching us how to behave when we've been screwed. I hope the ugly turds who pepper-sprayed Occupy burn in Hell.
If Iraq had nukes, Bush would not have dared. He however did claim to have been born again, whatever that means, and substantiated his 'anointment' by saying that god/Jesus/lord told him to invade Iraq and he did!
I think oil was Cheney's, the de facto president's, idea. NeoCons-ZioNazi-Fascists perhaps pushed the appropriate buttons - they are the ones who never shed any of their own blood or of their children, yet convinced many true Americans to sacrifice live and limbs of their own children - calling them warfighters is one such false emotion exploitative lever they push...while they go laughing all the way to the bank!
Right on! Saudi Arabia, Israel, US - these are the real "Axis of Evil" if you read the fine print...as you appear to have done.
Happy to see the best person for the job got it. NOT! When Affirmative Action goes wild!
How do YOU know she is not the best person for the job?? Did you apply? Of course not - you are still in your mother's basement typing drivel.
You are a total ignoramus!
Tell me, oh intelligent one , on what do base this amazing conclusion?
Bit of a sexist?
More women should be employed lke this, because you don't have to pay them as much.
(it's a joke, people....)
She should use some of that money to fix her face. yeesh!! that will give you nightmares
And I bet you are so good looking - not.
If the Joint Chiefs were all women we would be safer and it would costa lot less.
Well that's complete BS. The women demand more perks, more security, more benefits, more time off, more of everything. Women in the military cost more...it's a completely undeniable fact
This is just one more example of the high level of incompetence in DOD and the Federal Government in general. An ex-secretary with no formal technical education, and no formal business education is now making decisions regarding nearly a trillion dollars. It sounds great but it's why our government is so incompetent. This lady made it to the top by staying around, not rocking the boat and taking advantage of EEO requirements.
Just because she started out as a secretary does not mean she has no formal education. She has both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree, and attended one of the prestigious continuing education programs at the Harvard Business School.
And speaking from experience, Mrs. Westgate excels at rocking the boat! She did not get to where she is today through EEO requirements.
It amazes me the drivel spewed on these blogs by people who haven't the slightest idea of what they're talking about, or know anything about the people they denigrate. Guess it makes you feel better about yourselves.
Glad to see someone who knows her is able to stick up for her on here. I get so sick of all the idiotic assumptions I see where people assume that people in a position of power somehow just got the job handed to them.
Just another dumb sexist comment with no facts to back it up.
James Griffin-302437-330428
Vietnam - John Kennedy
Bin Laden - Bill Clinton
Quotas are good for incompetence in Government: what are her qualifications? Can she type?
I will hazard a guess that her qualifications are way way better than yours at anything.
She looks like she could be a mistress for Cain, or Clinton!
I just gotta write anote. Some of you( you know who you are) are truly disgusting. Go ahead run down our men and women in uniform. It's your right. We helped protect that right. Wonder how many of you have ever served in the military. Yep... I know you will ALL claim to be ex-servicemen and women. Let's see some proof.Where did you serve? What was you unit. When to when did you serve? What was your serial number? Seems to me the ones who are really taking you all for a ride are the very ones you vote into office. Serve one term and can retire at that same salary plus ALL perks you have while in office. A GI spends 20 years, offers his/her life and can retire at half pay and must pay for his and his families insurance. HMMM Something wrong here. Maybe the polititians should have to do a little combat duty as well. OH Well... You'' have a nice day
Oh, I also wonder....That's what us "Old Geezers" do a lot of. But.... Wonder why you all are so afraid of using your names. You sure don't hesitate with your opinions. Just wondering...........
HAVE A NICE DAY
Bud,
Thank you for your post. Way too many wannabees lurk here.
Paul ShadowCat Native American Vet /USArmy 3rd of the 3rd of the 194th , 13F Arty scout. forward observer,
Outstanding Post Bud!!!
These glue sniffers in here that put down the men and women that fight and die for this country need to get the hell out. You only have rights that someone died to give you, stop PRETENDING that YOU earned them..
At least she seems qualified-now-for the position she holds, but she had to take it upon herself to complete her advanced education. Of course, that was playing the civil service game-you have to meet the educational, etc. qualifications for each specific job, so to get the promotion, you go and get the additional training on your resume. My father was in the US Army for 20 years, and then the civil service another 19 years, and the times he would see people attending meetings or conferences that had absolutley no connection whatsoever with what job they held, but had to have that attendance of the meeting or conference on their resume just to get the next GS pay step or promotion...and of course the government paid them to travel to these conferences, while back at the office, no one was there to do the job they were currently assigned to do. And if he called them on it or complained to anyone higher up about the added expense to have all the extra people attending, he would get in trouble for it. It was always his contention there was too much wasted time and money by both men-and women, once they learned the game-chasing around after their next raise or promotion instead of first doing the job they had so well they deserved the raise or promotion. But, alas, it doesn't work that way, and until GSA and the Civil Service code gets revampd, it never will, just like tax reform.....
And you don't think the same thing happens in the private sector?
How do you think people get promoted?