Saddened by Kelly Flinn's failure to live up to Air Force honor code I have written this letter in my head many times during the past several weeks. Let me start by saying that my intent is not to defame you, but to expose some truths about your life and the choices you have made.
There was a time when I was proud to call myself your friend. I knew that you had the capabilities to be a natural leader and go down in the record books as a woman who not only served as the "first female B-52 pilot," but also as someone who would represent the U.S. Air Force Academy with pride and distinction and be the consummate professional. Unfortunately, it was also apparent to me very early on that you were confused about your roles and responsibilities within the United States Air Force. As an officer, you were familiar with ethical behavior and moral codes. You lived by the honor code ("I will not lie, steal, or cheat, or tolerate those who do"), during your four years at the academy. If you experienced discrimination or harassment at the academy, then you were obligated to report it. Those instances do not justify in any way your behavior during the past months.
It seems that you have become confused about "ambiguous" standards within the Air Force and did not seem to think that the same rules that applied to everyone else also applied to you. I have often wondered what happened to the conscientious person I knew, when I started hearing about your less-than professional behavior during the average duty day, during inspections and during other official Air Force functions. Wearing black pumps with your flight suit to a dining in, wearing a black lace camisole to work under your flight suit and balancing your checkbook during briefings given by commanders led some to believe that you might be less than serious about your job as a bomber pilot. I still defended you and even went so far as to say, "People just don't know Kelly like I do." You had far more friends at Minot Air Force Base than you knew or believed, and you continued to isolate yourself and treat colleagues and family members with less than mutual respect. This community rolled out the red carpet for you, and you abused it by expecting your gender to give you an advantage over your contemporaries. In many cases, it did.
What it boils down to is this: You have made yourself (or allowed yourself to be made) the martyr; the exception to the rule. In reality, you are the exception to the rule; that is, the rule that defines what is professional and acceptable by the standards of the Air Force. Deep in my heart, I know that you know the truth, because when I knew you, you did. It was possible for the Air Force to overlook the adultery and fraternization, but lying and defying orders demands stricter penalties. You made a conscious decision to put your own needs before your commitment to this country.
Self before service is not an option and you learned the consequence for that choice. The company you kept, the life you led, the defense you chose will continue to haunt you for many years to come. Your strategies were brilliant and your attorney had friends in all the right places. You learned the hard way what we already knew: you are replaceable. There will be other female B-52 pilots and hopefully they will choose to perform their duties differently because they will live in YOUR shadow.
You have been quoted as saying, "I had hoped the Air Force would have pursued non judicial punishment." How pathetic. Those who commit capital murder wish the same thing, but still have to face the consequences. You have made a mockery of what thousands sacrifice their lives for. We will now continue to serve, and you will go on without being able to fulfill your dreams. Get over it, Kelly. Your excuses are weak and have already gotten old. I, for one, am glad you will not be serving with people I care about. You do not deserve the honor. The real tragedy here are the people who have been hurt; from the commanders, who worked hard to help you make the right choices by setting a good example, to the young airmen who have a sour taste in their mouth for officers, pilots, academy grads and military policies in general because of your personal weakness and lack of integrity.
To the media, I say this: You've been duped. Kelly fought her battle in the public arena because she would go down in a military court. The Oscar for best actress goes to... Kelly Flinn, for impersonation of an officer and a "gentleman."
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