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BUSINESS | FAMILY | GIRLFRIENDS

Open Opportunities
By Jill Becker

This Veterans Day, we take the opportunity to salute women who have volunteered in the armed forces. While the country collectively remembers and acknowledges the sacrifices and determination of these strong women, we talked to American Airlines Pilot and Air Force Reservist Maureen Baillie Rodriguez about her career and military history.

When asked about her most memorable moment while serving in the military, Rodriguez has a hard time narrowing it down. A Dallas-based First Officer with American Airlines for the past 10 years, the 44-year-old mother of three served as a pilot in the Air Force before joining the reserves after active duty, and fondly recalls performing acrobatic maneuvers in a T-38 Talon during pilot training, mastering how to refuel a C-141B cargo jet in midair, transporting injured soldiers to San Antonio for medical treatment, delivering supplies to hurricane victims in Florida, and even learning how to Jet Ski in the lagoon near the airfield on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

“Being in the military opens so many doors,” says Rodriguez. “You get to travel the world, you make lasting friendships, you have the opportunity to work with some of the best-trained individuals in the modern military, and you’re helping keep up a great tradition. Serving is about more than just being a patriot. It’s about giving back for all of the opportunities afforded us.”

Born in Maryland, Rodriguez didn’t come from a military background, although several of her family members did fight in World War II. Instead, she joined the armed services on sort of a dare. Her decision was spurred on by some shortsighted comments from her boyfriend’s Navy buddies who said they didn’t believe that women should be able to attend military academies (insisting that instead women should have separate schools). Rodriguez didn’t agree with them, and it lit a fire under her.

Plus, she had always wanted to fly. She earned a bachelor’s of science in international affairs at the U.S. Air Force Academy, then served as an USAF pilot from 1989 to 1999.

Today, she takes time out of her busy schedule flying American’s fleet of 767s across the globe to devote a few days each month to the reserves, where she works as a country director for the Americas division for the Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs. “I fly a desk,” Rodriguez says of her current military commitment. But that doesn’t mean she sits idly by. Her duties include working with chiefs from the air commands of countries like Russia and Kazakhstan to help attain international stability and other common goals.

“I love working with the people who stand by the core military values of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do,” says Rodriguez. “I’m proud to serve my country. I only hope I’m able to fulfill my duties in a manner that earns the respect of those who fought and served before me.”

American Airlines offers special active duty military fares through its reservations offices, airport ticket offices, and travel agents. Call (800) 433-7300 to book these special fares.

Jill Becker is an Atlanta-based freelance writer. While she never wanted to be a pilot herself, she was thrilled to get the chance to occupy the jumpseat in the cockpit on a flight out of London a few years back.