--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think my being a combat pilot, being a…" description: "\"I think my being a combat pilot, being a woman who has had to break down barriers and succeed in a male-dominated environment, and, I think, just being..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdd/martha-mcsally-15801_environment_i-think-my-being-a-combat-pilot-being-a_597817.png" --- # I think my being a combat pilot, being a woman who has had… ![“I think my being a combat pilot, being a woman who has had to break down barriers and succeed in a male-dominated environment, and, I think, just being in the military for 26 years have all helped me.” quote by Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdd/martha-mcsally-15801_environment_i-think-my-being-a-combat-pilot-being-a_597817.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdd/martha-mcsally-15801_environment_i-think-my-being-a-combat-pilot-being-a_597817.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdd/martha-mcsally-15801_environment_i-think-my-being-a-combat-pilot-being-a_597817.png) > “I think my being a combat pilot, being a woman who has had to break down barriers and succeed in a male-dominated environment, and, I think, just being in the military for 26 years have all helped me.” [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Her experience as a female combat pilot highlights how overcoming gender barriers and long military service build resilience and leadership. **In simple terms:** Female pilots face barriers, gaining resilience and leadership. Key Takeaway Leverage adversity to develop strength. Themes leadership gender equity military service Mood determined inspirational Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - career advancement - team leadership - policy advocacy - mentoring women Key Concepts resilience breaking barriers role models Questions to Reflect On - How can institutions better support women in combat roles? - What personal habits sustain long‑term resilience? A Different Perspective Challenges persist despite progress; systemic bias can limit impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Pilot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pilot/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/woman/) ## Related quotes > [Being in a male-dominated career field as a combat pilot, I got used to kind of blocking out the lies in the attacks that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mj-hegar/being-in-a-male-dominated-career-field-as-a-combat-pilot-i-got-used/) [MJ Hegar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mj-hegar/) > [I'm a medevac pilot. I have spent time suppressing wildfires and things like that. And as a combat pilot, I tend to find the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mj-hegar/i-m-a-medevac-pilot-i-have-spent-time-suppressing-wildfires-and/) [MJ Hegar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mj-hegar/) > [Being able to sing all these years has helped me handle life's tragedies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-page/being-able-to-sing-all-these-years-has-helped-me-handle-life-s/) [Patti Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-page/) > [My Mom has always been one of my biggest supporters and the wisdom she has given me over the years has helped shaped the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-pulsifer/my-mom-has-always-been-one-of-my-biggest-supporters-and-the-wisdom/) [Catherine Pulsifer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-pulsifer/) > [I've done therapy over the years and it has helped me to be a better person and it pushes me to be a better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aroldis-chapman/i-ve-done-therapy-over-the-years-and-it-has-helped-me-to-be-a-better/) [Aroldis Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aroldis-chapman/) > [I always knew where I was going eventually, so it helped me to stay at home for three years. It helped me to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saku-koivu/i-always-knew-where-i-was-going-eventually-so-it-helped-me-to-stay-at/) [Saku Koivu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saku-koivu/) > [Through the years, I have helped thousands of children who were ill or in distress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jackson/through-the-years-i-have-helped-thousands-of-children-who-were-ill-or/) [Michael Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jackson/) > [I served my country in uniform for 26 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/i-served-my-country-in-uniform-for-26-years/) [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) > [I just personally decided I was going to be the first woman fighter pilot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/i-just-personally-decided-i-was-going-to-be-the-first-woman-fighter/) [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) > [If I was a guy, based on how I performed in pilot training, I would have been able to have selected a fighter. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/if-i-was-a-guy-based-on-how-i-performed-in-pilot-training-i-would/) [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) > [Before I became a fighter pilot, everyone said that women didn't have the physical strength. Well, I had just completed the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/before-i-became-a-fighter-pilot-everyone-said-that-women-didn-t-have/) [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) > [The last 26 years of my career have all been great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-carlos/the-last-26-years-of-my-career-have-all-been-great/) [Roberto Carlos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-carlos/) > [Took me 26 years to find my path. My only job is cuttin the time in half.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/took-me-26-years-to-find-my-path-my-only-job-is-cuttin-the-time-in/) [Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/) > [In 1820, the average lifespan was just 26 years. Twenty-six years!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-diamandis/in-1820-the-average-lifespan-was-just-26-years-twenty-six-years/) [Peter Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-diamandis/) > [“I used to act dumb. It was an act. I am 26 years old, and that act is no longer cute. It is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paris-hilton/i-used-to-act-dumb-it-was-an-act-i-am-26-years-old-and-that-act-is-no/) [Paris Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paris-hilton/) ## More by Martha McSally > [My colleagues and I fought to increase the resources to address several things, like maternity, prenatal, and newborn care, and mental health and substance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/my-colleagues-and-i-fought-to-increase-the-resources-to-address/) [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) > [The chief duty of our federal government is the safety and security of the American people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/the-chief-duty-of-our-federal-government-is-the-safety-and-security/) [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) > [Before I became a fighter pilot, everyone said that women didn't have the physical strength. Well, I had just completed the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/before-i-became-a-fighter-pilot-everyone-said-that-women-didn-t-have/) [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) > [If I was a guy, based on how I performed in pilot training, I would have been able to have selected a fighter. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/if-i-was-a-guy-based-on-how-i-performed-in-pilot-training-i-would/) [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) > [When American troops find themselves fighting for their lives, there is no better sound than an A-10 - a plane officially nicknamed the Thunderbolt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/when-american-troops-find-themselves-fighting-for-their-lives-there/) [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) > [North Korea is not even close to being a near peer to South Korea or, much less, the United States.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/north-korea-is-not-even-close-to-being-a-near-peer-to-south-korea-or/) [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) > [America has a long history of pride in the military uniform, and the Army has a 362-page directive on proper uniform wear. Included are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/america-has-a-long-history-of-pride-in-the-military-uniform-and-the/) [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) > [Ultimately, it's not our responsibility to turn Afghanistan into a 21st-century, vibrant, economic, liberal democracy with a little L. Our responsibility is to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/ultimately-it-s-not-our-responsibility-to-turn-afghanistan-into-a/) [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) > [When I see something messed up, I'm going to challenge it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/when-i-see-something-messed-up-i-m-going-to-challenge-it/) [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) > [Growing up, I was told I could be anything I wanted to be. There were no limitations restraining me just because I was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/growing-up-i-was-told-i-could-be-anything-i-wanted-to-be-there-were/) [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) > [From flying in the cockpit of an A-10 to chairing hearings on Capitol Hill, I've learned that each of us will face struggles as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/from-flying-in-the-cockpit-of-an-a-10-to-chairing-hearings-on-capitol/) [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) > [It's important in our role as leaders that we use the platform to address issues, to address barriers, to identify best practices for overcoming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/it-s-important-in-our-role-as-leaders-that-we-use-the-platform-to/) [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) > [Before running for office, I was an A-10 squadron commander with 325 combat hours. During my time in uniform and since coming to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/before-running-for-office-i-was-an-a-10-squadron-commander-with-325/) [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) > [When you value people, you give them freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/when-you-value-people-you-give-them-freedom/) [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) > [I was in Saudi Arabia on 9/11 and was part of the initial leadership team to execute the initial combat operations in Afghanistan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/i-was-in-saudi-arabia-on-9-11-and-was-part-of-the-initial-leadership/) [Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) [Explore all 42 Martha McSally quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/) ## More Environment quotes > [I feel like the future is unwritten. So many of the things that we write now haven't been about educating people on the environment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flansburgh/i-feel-like-the-future-is-unwritten-so-many-of-the-things-that-we/) [John Flansburgh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flansburgh/) > [This welfare for wealthy companies wastes taxpayer dollars, harms the environment, and makes a mockery of the recent reductions in federal social spending programs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/this-welfare-for-wealthy-companies-wastes-taxpayer-dollars-harms-the/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [Plainly, the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for his mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/plainly-the-environment-must-be-a-living-one-directed-by-a-higher/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [In the current climate, things that are true, brave human stories become political.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-blanchett/in-the-current-climate-things-that-are-true-brave-human-stories/) [Cate Blanchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-blanchett/) > [They paved paradise and put up a parkin lot With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swingin' hot spot Don't it always seem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/they-paved-paradise-and-put-up-a-parkin-lot-with-a-pink-hotel-a/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [Life as we know it is fundamentally unsatisfying. I think most folks feel this to be true. They know that a life of aimless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-yates/life-as-we-know-it-is-fundamentally-unsatisfying-i-think-most-folks/) [Michael Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-yates/) > [To assist a child we must provide him with an environment which will enable him to develop freely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/to-assist-a-child-we-must-provide-him-with-an-environment-which-will/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [Daily life is both the subject and environment of the work I am making.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-henrot/daily-life-is-both-the-subject-and-environment-of-the-work-i-am-making/) [Camille Henrot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-henrot/) > [If, as I anticipate, a wide array of personal, portable information/communication devices becomes increasingly important and widespread for information-intensive users, it will be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/if-as-i-anticipate-a-wide-array-of-personal-portable-information/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [Create an environment for people to fail, to learn, and to grow. Their creativity and productivity will increase.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/create-an-environment-for-people-to-fail-to-learn-and-to-grow-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There are many more traits that the climate deniers share with the creationists and Holocaust deniers and others who distort the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-r-prothero/there-are-many-more-traits-that-the-climate-deniers-share-with-the/) [Donald R. Prothero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-r-prothero/) > [Assuming normal winter weather, we currently anticipate the coal markets to remain difficult through 2015; while we always strive to operate a full capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-craft/assuming-normal-winter-weather-we-currently-anticipate-the-coal/) [Joe Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-craft/) > [It's the same with this idea of a literate public, and also of a democracy in which people have access to and really read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-hass/it-s-the-same-with-this-idea-of-a-literate-public-and-also-of-a/) [Robert Hass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-hass/) > [Of course, learning is strengthened and solidified when it occurs in a safe, secure and normal environment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-bertrand-aristide/of-course-learning-is-strengthened-and-solidified-when-it-occurs-in-a/) [Jean-Bertrand Aristide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-bertrand-aristide/) [Browse all 8,669 Environment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think my being a combat pilot, being a woman who has had to break down barriers and succeed in a male-dominated environment, and, I think, just being in the military for 26 years have all helped me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Martha McSally" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/i-think-my-being-a-combat-pilot-being-a-woman-who-has-had-to-break/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Environment" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/i-think-my-being-a-combat-pilot-being-a-woman-who-has-had-to-break/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdd/martha-mcsally-15801_environment_i-think-my-being-a-combat-pilot-being-a_597817.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdd/martha-mcsally-15801_environment_i-think-my-being-a-combat-pilot-being-a_597817.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdd/martha-mcsally-15801_environment_i-think-my-being-a-combat-pilot-being-a_597817.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think my being a combat pilot, being a woman who has had to break down barriers and succeed in a…” — Martha McSally", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Martha McSally", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think my being a combat...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/i-think-my-being-a-combat-pilot-being-a-woman-who-has-had-to-break/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-mcsally/i-think-my-being-a-combat-pilot-being-a-woman-who-has-had-to-break/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```