MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Parker, Blackwell, Massey, Hill, Barnett, Dearing, DeBar, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING WARRANT OFFICER JESSI MCCORMICK OF OLIVE BRANCH, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE FIRST FEMALE APACHE HELICOPTER PILOT IN THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD AND COMMENDING HER AS A POWERFUL ROLE MODEL FOR YOUNG WOMEN IN OUR STATE.
WHEREAS, the Boeing AH-64 Apache is the most advanced multirole combat helicopter of the United States Army and a growing number for international defense forces; and
WHEREAS, when Jessi McCormick was a child, if you would have told her what she would be doing in 2016, she would have never believed it. "I never thought I'd be an Apache Pilot," she said. "It's the greatest feeling"; and
WHEREAS, the 31-year-old Olive Branch resident, now a Warrant Officer, is the first female Apache Helicopter Pilot in the Mississippi National Guard. She started out as a United States Marine, joining in 2003 as a Military Police Officer. After four years and two deployments, she left the Marines, but joined the National Guard a year later; and
WHEREAS, McCormick was an MP with the Clinton unit deploying again in 2009-2010, and moved to the Public Affairs Unit out of Jackson. While she was deployed to Afghanistan in 2013, she got the urge to fly. There were a lot of steps to get there, McCormick found out, including corrective eye surgery. There was also an interview with a Flight Board, made up of the pilots she would be flying with; and
WHEREAS, while there is a lot of emphasis put on McCormick's benchmark as the first female Apache Helicopter Pilot, she said her gender didn't even cross her mind as a possible obstacle. Being a woman in a man's profession was nothing new to her. When she was given her assignment, it was a testament to the respect her fellow pilots had for her ability to hold her own. To other women who aspire to do jobs people traditionally assign to men, and to the little girl who might want to fly Apaches as well, McCormick says not to let anything hold you back. But that is her advice to anyone with a dream, regardless of gender; and
WHEREAS, McCormick is finishing a psychology degree from the University of Mississippi, and she wants to use that degree to be a counselor for veterans. She also flies for law enforcement, and will continue with the National Guard; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize a young Mississippi citizen as a powerful role model for young women and girls who admire her integrity, her tenacity and intellect and for whom she blazed a trail:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize Warrant Officer Jessi McCormick of Olive Branch, Mississippi, as the first female Apache Helicopter Pilot in the Mississippi National Guard and commending her as a powerful role model for young women in our state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Warrant Officer Jessi McCormick and her family, forwarded to the Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.