Jeannie Leavitt

Major General (Retired) Jeannie Leavitt served in the United States Air Force for 31 years after earning her commission as a Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Texas at Austin. She graduated pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base in January of 1993, and then became the first female fighter pilot for the Air Force when the Department of Defense changed their combat exclusion policy for women in April of 1993. General Leavitt is a graduate and former instructor of the United States Air Force Weapons School in the F-15E Strike Eagle. She is a decorated command pilot with more than 3,000 hours, including more than 300 combat hours.

In 2012, General Leavitt became the first woman to command a combat wing when she took command of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. She also commanded the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base and Air Force Recruiting Service at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. Additionally, she served as the Department of the Air Force Chief of Safety, where she oversaw mishap prevention and risk management programs for the Air Force and Space Force.

Her joint assignments include Special Technical Operations Chief at United States Forces Korea, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Fellow at the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington D.C., and Principal Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Secretary Chuck Hagel and Secretary Ash Carter.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. She also holds a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University, an MBA from Auburn University, a Master of Military Art and Science from Air University, and a Master of National Security Affairs from the National War College, National Defense University.