for good order and discipline, which, in turn, degrades combat effectiveness. And
my job is to help the CO ensure that the
Firebirds are combat effective.”
Trench remained still, his humiliation almost complete.
“I see things, Mark, and so do others. You are a superb aviator and can go far. You are a warrior I want leading a group of JOs down the road. I suggest you take these words to heart, and stay away from women in this squadron and, I would say, the entire ship. It can only lead to ruin.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“One more thing, and this is for both of you. Your job is to fly Hornets off this ship in support of national tasking. You must work together and fly together in formation. You must not undercut each other in front of the others, especially the sailors. You must do the job together, but you do not have to like each other.”
The chastened junior officers nodded. Annie then changed course.
“Very well. Trench, you are now dismissed. Lieutenant Commander Teel, you may leave as well. I have something I want to say to Macho, alone. Please excuse us.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Trench said, still troubled by the experience. Olive followed him out, closing the door behind her.
With the others gone, Annie studied Macho for a moment before speaking.
“Why did you join the Navy?”
Unsure of the reason for the question, Macho answered. “I wanted to prove something to myself, do something exciting.”
“Not many women fly jets. There’s only five of us on the whole ship. You are in rare air.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Macho agreed, grinning with pride.
“So, have you proved anything to yourself?”
“Well, yes, ma’am. Here we are in a man’s world, you know, succeeding. I mean, we know that women can fly and do anything the guys can. I appreciate that you were one of the women who paved the way for us in the ‘90s. And I want to build on that.”
Annie nodded with a smile. “We can do anything the guys can.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Macho gushed, lowering her defenses further.
“Then what is your goal this tour?”
“Well, I want to help you and Olive lead the women here. To ensure that guys like him are not harassing or assaulting them—”
“Assaulting?” Annie asked, concerned.
“Well, you know, ma’am, the whispered comments, the frat boy antics on liberty… like in St. Thomas. Girls have to stick together against those guys.”
“Yes, assault. Those stray comments, men being men…. Why, a girl could go to pieces under the pressure.”
Macho realized that the conversation was taking a troubling turn.
“Pressure is a low-fuel jet trying to recover on a pitching deck on a black night, or Marines screaming for help in an Afghan valley while you try to find them. You’ve been here a while, and you are doing well enough, but you’ve not experienced pressure like