Women's History Month: Tech. Sgt. Jessica Ramirez

STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. -- Tech. Sgt. Jessica Ramirez has been in the military for more than 13 years and with the 109th Airlift Wing for seven of those years.

"I joined the Army Reserve when I was going into my senior year of high school," she said. "I knew I wanted to go to college but also wanted to do something out of the ordinary and challenge myself. I thought being a part of the military was something to be very proud of and was also a good opportunity to travel out of my small town."

Ramirez is currently assigned to the 109th Airlift Wing's Equal Opportunity office during Unit Training Assemblies but also works at the base fulltime with the Counterdrug Task Force as a Logistics noncommissioned officer. In the EO office she is an adviser assisting in enhancing the wing's mission effectiveness. She does this "by conducting programs that foster fair treatment for our people, support diversity initiatives, and promote freedom from alcohol and substance abuse," she said.

With Counterdrug, Ramirez is the Government Purchase Card holder for the unit's Army, Air and state funds. "I purchase the specialized equipment and supplies needed by our personnel to assist them in helping law enforcement agencies and New York state community-based organizations enhance their efforts in response to the changing drug threat," she said.

Along with being a wife and mother, outside of work Ramirez keeps herself busy. She has her master's degree in industrial psychology, is a certified nutrition and wellness consultant, and is also a figure competitor. Along with that, she also is a volunteer member of the Montgomery County Allies for Prevention, which aims to help prevent youth substance abuse and build a healthier community.

Ramirez said having women in the armed forces helps encourage a diverse environment throughout the military community.

"Women's History Month puts a spotlight on several female accomplishments throughout history and illustrates how regardless of gender or background it only takes a little courage and intellect to make a change that can enhance our nation and our daughters' futures," she said. "Women in the armed forces help encourage a diverse environment and different ways of thinking and accomplishing the mission. In my opinion, most people, especially women today, have to be highly skilled at multitasking due to the continuous pressures of balancing careers and family life. That skill is an asset to any work environment, especially a military environment. This can sometimes be a challenge but most women I know make it look easy and wouldn't have it any other way. Women should continue to empower one another, not compete with one another."