By Jessica Peterson
A memo from the Department of Defense on February 26 dictated the removal of all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) content from DoD websites. Jessica Peterson, a seasoned flight test engineer with the Air Force for close to two decades, has witnessed her contributions being erased. She believes that history should not be deleted and worries about the impact on opportunities for women and minorities.
The below account is a recount of Jessica “STING” Peterson’s thoughts, a 42-year-old flight test engineer with almost two decades of experience working with the Air Force, initially as a civil servant and later as a contractor. In February, Peterson was informed that numerous articles highlighting her successes or penned by her would be taken down following orders outlined in a memo from the Office of the Secretary of Defense regarding the elimination of DEI-related content from Department of Defense websites. The text has been edited for brevity and clarity.
My journey as a flight test engineer spanning nearly two decades has been nothing short of extraordinary. We serve as the vital link between design engineers like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, who craft the systems, and the end-users – the brave warfighters and skilled pilots who operate them.
When I embarked on my Air Force career two decades ago as a college intern, I stood as the sole woman on my team. Over the years, I have often found myself as the lone female presence in various settings. However, I have seldom dwelled on this fact. With accumulated experience and qualifications – such as completing the rigorous test pilot school program – my self-assurance has only grown.
For the most part, the gender disparity has not been a significant concern for me, which is why the removal of content featuring me has been profoundly unsettling. In articles spotlighting women, even when gender wasn’t the central theme, there was usually a mention of their gender and the obstacles they overcame due to its uniqueness, rendering them vulnerable to removal.
It is fundamentally un-American and erroneous to erase historical context – no narrative should be expunged. The news of my articles being eliminated deeply affected my daughter.
As test flight engineers, we gather data and scrutinize systems to ensure they function as intended. The thrill lies in taking flight; I have piloted over 40 different aircraft types, including supersonic fighter planes like the F-16s and T-38s, and cargo planes like the C-12s.
I was forewarned by colleagues in the public affairs office about several articles authored by or about me being taken down, including one detailing a flyover by our female crew to bid farewell to the US women’s soccer team heading to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.
Initially, I viewed the news with a sense of disappointment. However, as the removal process unfolded, the emotional impact deepened.
Over the years, there was a lack of proper bladder relief systems for women during flights, leading to health issues and dehydration. It was a positive development when efforts were made to address this in the past few years. As an engineer, I am driven to solve problems, and it was disheartening when progress in this area was halted. I recall encountering challenges when I first began flying, such as the unavailability of female flight suits due to cost concerns. Despite this, I chose not to dwell on it, grateful for the opportunity to fly. My aim is to prevent such hurdles for women in the future.
I shared my experiences on LinkedIn to raise awareness about these issues, and the support I received was overwhelming. Former colleagues, including male fighter pilots, expressed gratitude for my advocacy. I also received encouragement from students and military personnel, highlighting the importance of my efforts. However, there is still concern over the removal of historical content, including recent instances of articles being deleted from Air Force websites.
I believe that censorship and erasure of history are unjust, and it is crucial for people to speak out against such actions. The recent removal of content under the guise of diversity and equity initiatives has raised alarm within the Department of Defense. There is hope that the reassessment of archived material will lead to the restoration of valuable content. It is essential for individuals to urge their representatives to uphold the preservation of historical records and oppose arbitrary content removal based on specific criteria.
The Department of the Air Force has stated that content removal aligns with directives from higher authorities but has not disclosed the specific keywords used in the process. Despite the removal of a significant number of articles, there are ongoing efforts to reevaluate archived material that may have been unjustly targeted. It is imperative for transparency and accountability to be maintained in such actions to ensure the preservation of diverse perspectives and historical narratives.
“We are in the process of restoring content that is purely historical or is currently being restored. Our goal is to ensure that the content aligns with the guidelines before it is reinstated. If you work for the federal government and have a story or tip to share, please reach out to this reporter via email at janezhang@businessinsider.com or Signal at janezhang.01. For secure communication, please use a personal email address and a non-work device – refer to our guide for sharing information securely. You can find the original article on Business Insider.”
