9/21/16 Chatterbox
Betty Kaiser
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| Lt. Col. Kirsten Palmer |
Kirsten M. Palmer has been a busy woman
since she graduated from Cottage Grove High School in 1991. Thanks to her
career choice in the USAF she has become a highly educated officer, leader and
world traveler. Her senior year at CGHS she served as
student body president. That summer she served as a U.S. Senate Page
for Sen. Bob Packwood in Washington D.C.
Kirsten’s first stop out of high school
was to join the U.S. Air Force. She fearlessly stepped into four years of
training and education at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. At that time only
a small percent of the 4,000 cadets were women. Four years later, in 1995, she
graduated as Second Lieutenant with a Bachelor of Science in Management. In
1999, she received an M.B.A. in business administration from Phoenix
University.
My first interview with her was the summer of 2005 after she
attained the rank of Major. Her proud parents Ron and Linda Palmer’s serene
back yard was the setting for a glimpse into the life of this focused young
woman. Her career had already sprouted wings and taken flight all over the
world—including Germany where, as a Major, she served as an aircraft
maintenance officer in a Medivac unit.
I remember thinking then that she was a poster child for
military recruitment. The Air Force had already enabled her to travel to 16
different countries and she loved her job as executive officer to the Wing
Commander, 437th Airlift Wing where she worked 12-hour days.
“It’s hard
work,” she said later, “but I enjoy the camaraderie of the people I work with.
They all have a deep-seated love for our country and believe they are keeping
this nation secure and protecting our freedoms with what they do every day.”
Kirsten is married to Lt. Col. Roger Lang. They live in
Washington D.C. with their five year old daughter Addyson. Her husband is a USAF pilot for Air
Force Two. Along with Air Force One, it is stationed at Andrews AFB. Its mission
is to transport people in the upper positions of leadership. i.e. the Vice
President, Presidents of the Senate, Speaker of the House, etc.
Now a Lt. Col., Kirsten’s most recent assignment was to
serve at the Pentagon as Chief of the Logistics Initiative Branch in the
Aircraft Maintenance Division in Washington D.C. This position is too
complicated for me to explain! Suffice it to say that she does it well. Her
many awards and decorations include Air Force Meritorious Service Medals with
two, four and five leaf clusters; Commendation and Outstanding Achievement
Medals. The National Defense Service Medal; A Global War on Terrorism Service
Medal and more.
This summer Kirsten began a new facet of her military life.
She celebrated 21 years of Air Force service and went back to school. She was
appointed by the Department of the Air Force to attend The Eisenhower School
for National Security and Resource Strategy at Fort Lesley J McNair. When she
completes this one-year intensive study she will receive a Master’s of Science
degree in National Resource Strategy.
The Eisenhower Institute’s curriculum is designed to promote
strategic thinkers and national security policy makers to lead strategic
institutions. Kirsten also hopes to gain a better understanding of the factors
leaders must take into account when they make decisions affecting our national
security and how to determine what is best for our country so resources are not
squandered. A tall task!
Looking back, I asked her if a military career had exceeded
her expectations. The answer was a resounding, “Yes.” “When I left Cottage
Grove in 1991 and headed to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs," she said, "I never
imagined my life and career would turn out this well. My plan was to stay in
the Air Force as long as I was having fun. Twenty-five years later I’m still
having fun! The opportunities provided by joining the military are endless and
the education benefits are incredible in exchange for serving my country.”
Kirsten, the 2016 patriot, is just as enthusiastic as the
day in 2005 when she said to me, “Sometimes I think, ‘Wow! How did I get so
lucky to be born an American?’”
This summer, 11 years later, I asked her what she would like
people to know about her job. Her response was this: “Rather than what I do, I
would like people to realize the incredible honor it is to serve our country.
The opportunity of being part of something bigger than yourself, knowing you’re
part of an organization that strives to make the world a better place, while
preserving the everyday freedoms that some take for granted.
“The professionalism of the men and women I have come across
over the last 25 years makes me proud to be an American. When I retire from the
Air Force (whenever that may be), I know the defense of our nation is in good
hands with the young men and women who are now moving up the ranks.”
Kirsten also enjoys the camaraderie of the people she works
with and their deep-seated love for our country. “They believe they are keeping
this nation secure and protecting our freedoms with what they do every day.”
Readers, in
closing, I would like to add this: In an era when multi-millionaire football
players are questioning their patriotism and refusing to salute our flag…It is
a pleasure to bring you an update on someone who has chosen patriotism as a way
of life. God has blessed America with her and all those who serve this country!
Thanks to all who serve and congratulations Kirsten!
Betty Kaiser’s Chatterbox is about people,
places, family, and other matters of the heart.
