Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • NPR

    The Air Force Struggles With Diversity. Can The Space Force Do Any Better?

    Top Space Force leaders say gender and racial diversity are a core part of the mission. But past indicators present a troubling picture.
    by Dan Boyce Sep 25, 2020 5 minutes
    The Space Force has touted its fielding of the first ever all-female space operations crew as a sign that it is living up to ideals of diversity and inclusion. The crew gained satellite control acceptance of GPS satellite SVN-76 in July 2020.

    When 1st Lt. Kelley McCaa found out she would be part of the American military's first all-female space operations crew, working alongside a team of women she considers close friends, she knew it would make a bold statement for the newly formed U.S. Space Force.

    McCaa's squadron, based at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, operates one of the approximately 30 GPS satellites used by more than 5 billion people around the world.

    "Growing up, you don't see too many women in STEM or women in recruiter videos for the military or science or physics. So, for me, I'm hoping that women will see that they have more opportunities than they might've realized growing up," McCaa said.

    That all-female team isn't the only sign that the Space Force is trying As the Space Force's general officer, she will oversee day-to-day operations at headquarters. And in June, the head of the branch, Gen. John Raymond, he wrote in response to national uproar over the death of George Floyd. He called racism one of the enemies that service members swore an oath to defend the country against, and added the Space Force must be founded on dignity and respect.

    You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

    More from NPR

    NPR5 min readIndustries
    China Makes Cheap Electric Vehicles. Why Can't American Shoppers Buy Them?
    American drivers want cheap EVs. Chinese automakers are building them. But you can't buy them in the U.S., thanks to tariffs in the name of U.S. jobs and national security. Two car shoppers weigh in.
    NPR2 min readDiscrimination & Race Relations
    U Of Mississippi Opens Probe Over Hostile Protest That Involved Racist Taunts
    Videos of Thursday's incident at the school were shared on social media showing heated confrontations between pro-Palestinian protesters and a larger group of counterprotesters.
    NPR7 min read
    How One Stretch Of Interstate 20 Through Alabama Tells The Story Of American Workers
    Three high-profile labor disputes have unfolded in central Alabama over the past several years, with Amazon warehouse workers, coal miners and autoworkers all speaking out for change.

    Related Books & Audiobooks