traveling the world—all things the Navy affords to those who join. Another main factor for Kamin was traveling around the world and getting 30 days of “vacation” time, which is more than the private sector provided. All of these factors equaled joining the Navy in Kamin’s mind. As a second-semester college senior, Kamin officially decided to join the Navy (the only branch she considered joining) but went back and forth between logistics and aviation. The Navy, perhaps aware of the opportunity to shatter a “glass ceiling,” pushed her request to join as an aviator instead of the supply core, which better fit with Kamin’s eternal love of business and computers. Kamin received her commission from the Navy’s Aviation Officer Candidate School. She was only the second African American female to become a Naval Aviation Officer and the first African American female helicopter pilot in the Navy. Without question, that is a big deal! When asked if she felt like the Navy pushed her forward in part, if not in whole, because of her race and gender, her gracious response was, “It might have had something to do with a quota or bonus points for putting me forward. However, I still had to work very hard and pass all the requirements.” She is proud to have finished at the top of her class in aviation training, especially since she admits, “I’m not an athlete.” Kamin proudly served in the Navy for nine years. So why did she leave a blooming career in the Navy?
| The Bellwether |
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