Empowered Women Empower the Force: Why We Need WIT Back

In this episode, Amanda Holland shares her journey as a MQ-9 sensor operator in the Air Force, discussing the challenges she faced as a female in a male-dominated field, the importance of leadership, and her experiences with personal loss and professional growth. She highlights the need for better support systems for women in the military, particularly regarding health issues and uniform fitment. Amanda's story is one of resilience, mentorship, and advocacy for change within the military community. 

In this conversation, Amanda Holland and Brittinie Wick discuss the challenges faced by women in male-dominated fields, particularly in the military. They explore themes of professional jealousy, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the need for better representation and support for women's health issues. The discussion also highlights the establishment of the Women's Initiative Team (WIT) at Creech Air Force Base and the ongoing efforts to advocate for women's rights and health within the military context. 

Amanda Holland discusses her role in anthropometric studies aimed at improving pilot recruitment and retention in the Air Force. She emphasizes the importance of diversity and the need for updated data to ensure that more individuals can safely operate aircraft. Amanda also shares her personal journey in the military, offering advice to young women considering a career in the military, highlighting the importance of staying true to oneself, seeking help when needed, and empowering one another.

Disclaimer:
As of May 2025, the U.S. Air Force’s Women’s Initiative Team (WIT) has been officially disbanded following a broader rollback of DEI programs. Established in 2008, WIT was a volunteer-led effort that helped remove barriers to service for women through impactful policy changes.

This episode reflects personal perspectives on WIT’s legacy and the continued need for advocacy. The views expressed do not represent the official stance of the U.S. Air Force or Department of Defense.

ABOUT AMANDA: 

Amanda Holland has been serving in the United States Air Force since 2007 as an MQ-9 Sensor Operator. Throughout her career, she prioritized the military over personal pursuits for a variety of reasons—chief among them the need to remain competitive in a profession that often required being “married to the military.” As a result, she chose to delay having a family, remaining unmarried and without children for 17 years—until recently.

In 2018, as a newly promoted Master Sergeant, she attended the Women’s Initiative Team (WIT) Female Fitment event in Ohio. There, she discovered that many women faced the same challenges she did—ill-fitting flying gear and uniforms, and disheartening treatment by individuals who were either uninformed or indifferent, viewing women as burdens rather than valuable assets. This experience ignited a passion in her to ensure that everyone around her felt heard and recognized as important.

Since then, she has actively mentored and coached both men and women on how to approach topics that are often considered uncomfortable. She takes great pride in the progress WIT has made, particularly in the anthropometric study focused on reevaluating pilot entry requirements across fighter, bomber, and trainer aircraft.

In 2022, she played a key role in establishing the Creech AFB WIT, working to connect women with essential resources such as medical care, properly fitted uniforms, and childcare solutions. Her continued dedication reflects a deep commitment to advocacy, inclusion, and making meaningful ch