SJAFB Airmen strengthen, empower LGBTQ+ community Published June 22, 2022 By Carolyn Herrick 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, NC – Long before the policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was even enacted – much less, repealed – one Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Airman was a pioneer for change, paving the way for the LGBTQ+ Airmen who now serve. Lt. Col. Barbara Wujciak, 4th Medical Group optometrist and 916th Aerospace Medicine Squadron reservist, was forced out of the U.S. Naval Academy in 1981 when her roommates found letters to her then-girlfriend and turned her in. “I lost my scholarship and my college plan all at once,” said Wujciak, a Rocky Mount, North Carolina, native who instead obtained a teaching degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In the early 1980s, her job as a math teacher was also at stake because of her sexual orientation; so, she pivoted again and went to optometry school, opening her own practice in Eastern North Carolina in 1992. “Around 2003, I found service academy gay and lesbian groups online,” Wujciak said. Through the internet, she was able to connect with other gay service academy alumni who had been discriminated against. By then, the policy of DADT was firmly in place, technically allowing gay, lesbian and bisexual members to serve – but only if they stayed “in the closet.” So Wujciak and her associates banded together in the interest of change. “We were rabble-rousing,” she said with a smile. “Hundreds of us were lobbying Congress, visiting Congressional offices and telling our stories.” It took years of petitioning policy makers, but Wujciak finally began to see legislation leaning in the direction of permanent change and decided – in spite of the way she had previously been treated – to rejoin the military, this time as a U.S. Air Force reservist. In December 2010, 28 years after being kicked out of the U.S. Naval Academy, Wujciak graduated from officer school. On the day she graduated, Senate voted to overturn DADT and finally allow gay, lesbian, and bisexual people to serve openly in the U.S. Armed Forces. DADT was officially repealed in September 2011, ending a 50-year ban and 17 years of secrecy and silence for lesbian, gay and bisexual members of the U.S. military. “I was part of a movement that really did change history,” said Wujciak. “When young Airmen come in now and say ‘my wife’ or ‘my husband,’ [about an LGBTQ+ partner], it warms my heart to know they are free.” SJAFB Airmen strengthen, empower LGBTQ+ community Master Sgt. Kayleigh McAviney, left, 335th Fighter Generation Squadron first sergeant, and her wife, Lt. Col. Hattie McAviney, 4th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron commander, pose for a photo together after Lt. Col. McAviney’s assumption of command at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, August 6, 2021. The McAvineys are able to be married and receive all the benefits to which married service members are entitled because of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kimberly Barrera) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SJAFB Airmen strengthen, empower LGBTQ+ community Master Sgt. Kayleigh McAviney, 335th Fighter Generation Squadron first sergeant, poses in front of an F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, while at her deployed location in Southwest Asia June 20, 2022. This is her seventh deployment, and she and her wife have faced many challenges together, having never been together for longer than nine consecutive months throughout their entire relationship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kelly Goonan) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SJAFB Airmen strengthen, empower LGBTQ+ community Lt. Col. Barbara Wujciak, 4th Medical Group optometrist and 916th Aerospace Medicine Squadron reservist, poses for a photo at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, June 22, 2022. Wujciak actively fought for LGBTQ+ civil rights until "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed in 2010, ending a 50-year ban and 17 years of secrecy and silence for lesbian, gay and bisexual members of the U.S. military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Carolyn Herrick) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Because of people like Wujciak who fought for others’ civil rights, couples like Lt. Col. Hattie McAviney, 4th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron commander, and her wife, Master Sgt. Kayleigh McAviney, 335th Fighter Generation Squadron first sergeant, are able to be married and receive all the benefits to which married service members are entitled. When the McAvineys’ partnership first began on the heels of the DADT repeal, they said the military culture had not yet shifted with the policy changes and people regularly assumed Lt. Col. McAviney was married to a man. “I had to rehearse how to respond to people,” said Lt. Col. McAviney, whose blood family have not been accepting of her relationship. “But I was lucky; because of the timing of our story, my coming out, and our marriage, I had supportive Air Force family. Because of them, I am able to freely and confidently say I’m married to an enlisted woman.” People didn’t have a malicious intent with their assumptions, according to Master Sgt. McAviney; however, it was a time when people were not yet caught up with the changes and didn’t realize how common it was to be gay in the military. Their same-sex relationship and the social and emotional perceptions that came with it were not the only challenges they faced together. “My wife and I have been through some pretty times together, both personally and professionally,” said Master Sgt. McAviney, who is currently in Southwest Asia completing her seventh deployment. “Our tough situations range from responding together as the first medics on scene to an airplane crash while deployed, dealing with deaths of friends, family disownment for being gay, and we have never been together for longer than nine consecutive months throughout our entire relationship. Despite all these challenges that we have faced and continue to face, I wouldn’t choose anyone else to be with. She is my rock, my life partner, and without a doubt the better half.” The plane crash they responded to together in 2013 was life changing for them both. They had flown into their deployed location together on that very plane the day before it went down, and the crew members who were killed were members of their unit. “That kind of event makes you realize that life is short,” said Lt. Col. McAviney, who has deployed six times in her career. “You never know when it will end, so be your true self, love who you love, and be kind.” It’s because of their struggles that these proud LGBTQ+ Airmen are passionate about fighting for the right thing and sharing their stories – so others feel empowered to be themselves, too. “In my opinion, Pride Month is more than just recognizing acceptance for the LBGTQ+ community,” said Master Sgt. McAviney. “It gives the opportunity to remind everyone, regardless if someone is part of the LBGTQ+ community or not, that they should be proud of and have pride in who they are, no matter their differences. It’s a month to show love and acceptance for all.”
2022 Airmen of the Year, First Sergeant of the Year, First Sergeant Council of the Year announced Air Force Reserve Command senior leaders and their spouses recognized the command’s 2022 Airmen of the Year during a virtual ceremony Apr. 22, 2022.All winners and nominees competed in their respective Numbered Air Force and Headquarters command before competing at the major command level.
Reserve Citizen Airmen from the 624th RSG CES earn Silver Flag certification and accolades In late August, 17 Citizen Airmen from the 624th Regional Support Group’s Civil Engineer Squadron (CES), Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, along with Reserve Citizen Airmen from around the country, participated in Exercise Patriot Warrior Silver Flag training at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta,
932nd CES Airman awarded the Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award 932nd CES Airman awarded the Lance P. Sijan U.S. Air Force Leadership Award
12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year recognized at AFA The 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2021 were recognized over the course of five days during the annual Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber conference held at National Harbor, Sept. 18-22.