Michelle 'Mace' Curran

But I think it was just that one moment I already knew I was going to the Air Force. I was already driven. I mean, going to be an FBI agent or a CIA agent isn't an easy career choice either. Also both very male dominated. So at that time as a young college student, I didn't quite realize what I was getting into and I was just all in. So I was a goal setter.

But I think it was just that one moment I already knew I was going to the Air Force. I was already driven. I mean, going to be an FBI agent or a CIA agent isn't an easy career choice either. Also both very male dominated. So at that time as a young college student, I didn't quite realize what I was getting into and I was just all in. So I was a goal setter.

But I think it was just that one moment I already knew I was going to the Air Force. I was already driven. I mean, going to be an FBI agent or a CIA agent isn't an easy career choice either. Also both very male dominated. So at that time as a young college student, I didn't quite realize what I was getting into and I was just all in. So I was a goal setter.

I set that as my new goal and just worked towards it relentlessly until I got there.

I set that as my new goal and just worked towards it relentlessly until I got there.

I set that as my new goal and just worked towards it relentlessly until I got there.

How were you able to hold yourself accountable in those earlier times, like making that leap into that unknown? For me, I know that's typically the hardest time when you're trying to find your footing and really don't have any credibility yet. How did you push yourself through those tough moments?

How were you able to hold yourself accountable in those earlier times, like making that leap into that unknown? For me, I know that's typically the hardest time when you're trying to find your footing and really don't have any credibility yet. How did you push yourself through those tough moments?

How were you able to hold yourself accountable in those earlier times, like making that leap into that unknown? For me, I know that's typically the hardest time when you're trying to find your footing and really don't have any credibility yet. How did you push yourself through those tough moments?

It wasn't always as smooth as it probably seemed to an outsider. There were moments when, even when I had gotten there, where... I hate to say this now because I talk to people about not doing this, but I guess that comes from my personal experience and the lessons I learned. But there was a point early on in my career where I was fully qualified as a fighter pilot.

It wasn't always as smooth as it probably seemed to an outsider. There were moments when, even when I had gotten there, where... I hate to say this now because I talk to people about not doing this, but I guess that comes from my personal experience and the lessons I learned. But there was a point early on in my career where I was fully qualified as a fighter pilot.

It wasn't always as smooth as it probably seemed to an outsider. There were moments when, even when I had gotten there, where... I hate to say this now because I talk to people about not doing this, but I guess that comes from my personal experience and the lessons I learned. But there was a point early on in my career where I was fully qualified as a fighter pilot.

So I'd gone through all the formal training pipelines, which... Those are so... They're very demanding, but they also show you exactly the way. You know, here's your syllabus. Here is your next test. Here is your next simulator. Here's your next checkride, your flight, whatever. This is how we rank people in the class. This is where you have to be in your class to have...

So I'd gone through all the formal training pipelines, which... Those are so... They're very demanding, but they also show you exactly the way. You know, here's your syllabus. Here is your next test. Here is your next simulator. Here's your next checkride, your flight, whatever. This is how we rank people in the class. This is where you have to be in your class to have...

So I'd gone through all the formal training pipelines, which... Those are so... They're very demanding, but they also show you exactly the way. You know, here's your syllabus. Here is your next test. Here is your next simulator. Here's your next checkride, your flight, whatever. This is how we rank people in the class. This is where you have to be in your class to have...

a chance to get a fighter aircraft because it's very competitive. We had two in my class of 25 students. So it's difficult, but the path to success is laid out in front of you. And you're with all these people that are your peers that are struggling with the same thing. So while I found that difficult and stressful, I also did well in that environment where it was like, here's clear cut.

a chance to get a fighter aircraft because it's very competitive. We had two in my class of 25 students. So it's difficult, but the path to success is laid out in front of you. And you're with all these people that are your peers that are struggling with the same thing. So while I found that difficult and stressful, I also did well in that environment where it was like, here's clear cut.

a chance to get a fighter aircraft because it's very competitive. We had two in my class of 25 students. So it's difficult, but the path to success is laid out in front of you. And you're with all these people that are your peers that are struggling with the same thing. So while I found that difficult and stressful, I also did well in that environment where it was like, here's clear cut.

This is how I compete. This is how I do well. It was more when I got to my first combat squadron where I suddenly felt in way over my head. And yes, I was with this squadron of other fighter pilots who are supposed to be my peers, my mentors, but I was the youngest. I was brand new. I just stepped into this environment and I felt very alone. And there were points then when if I hadn't

This is how I compete. This is how I do well. It was more when I got to my first combat squadron where I suddenly felt in way over my head. And yes, I was with this squadron of other fighter pilots who are supposed to be my peers, my mentors, but I was the youngest. I was brand new. I just stepped into this environment and I felt very alone. And there were points then when if I hadn't