Meet Brenda Massey

US Air Force 1981-2011
WoVeN Peer Leader & Trainer
San Antonio, TX

Tell us about your military background.

I was a Surgical Tech when I first enlisted in the Air Force and then cross-trained to the Traffic Management career field where I stayed for 30 years. Traffic Management included moving people, property and cargo all over the world!  I started my career at basic training at Lackland AFB, TX then moved many times including:  McChord AFB, WA, Clark AB, Philippines, Grissom AFB, IN, Ramstein AB, Germany, Shaw AFB, SC, Keesler AFB, MS, Osan AB, Korea, finishing my career as the Superintendent for 37th Training Group at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, where we retired!

What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?

I met my husband at my first duty station. He helped to ground me throughout my career!  My motto in the military was help one, teach one…with a focus on women! In fact, my retirement ceremony was focused on honoring military women.

What was one of the challenges you faced in your transition from military to civilian life?

I didn’t go back to work after I retired, so I didn’t have anything to occupy my mind. All the bad stuff that had happened over my military career surfaced. I had to deal with those experiences and I had nothing to fall back on.

What inspired you to become involved in WoVeN?

It was women driven! My biggest concern in the Air Force was they didn’t do enough to empower/help women. So, I wanted to be part of the solution for women!

What advice do you have for women who are transitioning out of the military?

Take some time to find out who you are! We were always recognized by our rank, Airman, Lt.’s…during our service. … we were rarely “Brenda, or Jane, etc.”  Please take some time to think about who you are outside of the military.

What would you like to tell women who are thinking of joining WoVeN?

Don’t think about it… join!! Joining WoVeN will be the best experience of your life!  With this group there is no competition… we support each other!