New DACOWITS members

The Department of Defense announced June 23 the induction of seven new members to the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services. DACOWITS provides the Secretary of Defense with advice and recommendations on matters and policies relating to the recruitment, retention, employment, integration, well-being, and treatment of women in the U.S. Armed Forces. The committee is comprised of up to 20 members, who include prominent civilian women and men from academia, industry, public service, and other professions. Members perform a variety of duties, to include visiting military installations annually, conducting a review and evaluation of current research on military women, and developing an annual report with recommendations on these issues for the secretary of defense. New committee appointments include: Retired Vice Adm. Robin R. Braun, Navy; Retired Maj. Gen. (Dr.) George A. Alexander, U.S. Army National Guard; Retired Col. Many-Bears Grinder, U.S. Army National Guard; Retired Command Master Chief Octavia D. Harris, Navy; Retired Maj. Gen. Ronald L. Johnson, Army; Ms. Robin Kelleher; and Retired Fleet Master Chief Susan A. Whitman, Navy. Robin Braun is the daughter of a career naval aviator. Born in Pensacola, Fla., she is a graduate of Northern Arizona University and was commissioned in 1980. Designated a naval aviator in February 1981, her first assignment was to Training Squadron (VT) 31 at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, where she served as an instructor pilot in the T-44 aircraft. Later in her career, Braun became the chief of Navy Reserve on the staff of the CNO in August 2012. Returning members with some regional ties are Retired Lt. Gen. Judith A. Fedder, Air Force; and Retired Gen. Janet C. Wolfenbarger, Air Force. Wolfenbarger was commissioned in 1980 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and began her career in acquisition as a technical intelligence analyst/engineer with the Armament Division at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Judith Federer served from July 1984 - November 1986 as Officer in Charge of the 58th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, and Officer in Charge of William Tell Maintenance with the 33rd Aircraft Generation Squadron at Eglin AFB. (Source: DACOWITS 06/23/20) https://dacowits.defense.gov/.