Women's History Month - March 2025 - Modern Trailblazers of the U.S. Armed Forces

Women's History Month in the United States occurs in March of each year to:

• celebrate the achievements women have made throughout American history and
• recognize all that remains to be done.
• (If you like, you can read about the history of Women's History Month in my blog post dated March 2, 2023.)

This year, I'm focusing on three remarkable women fired by President Trump in his recent purge of women and men from top leadership in the U.S. Armed Forces.

I.  Who are the three women?

All trailblazers.  All military.  All highly educated with multiple academic degrees.   All experienced in a wide variety of progressively responsible assignments carried out with distinction in military careers spanning decades and continents.  All honored with awards, decorations, and command.

The women are:

• Lieutenant General Telita Crosland, Director, U.S. Defense Health Agency, and the first African-American woman to hold the Director's position.
• Admiral Linda L. Fagan, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard and first female commandant of a branch of the U.S. armed services.
• Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations, U.S. Navy, and first woman to become a member of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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​You can see photos of the women near the end of this blog post.  The awards and decorations pinned to their dress uniforms speak volumes.
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II.  What Happened?

President Donald J. Trump was inaugurated on January 20, 2025.  
 
Between January 20 and March 1, 2025, all three exemplary women were fired or forced to retire for reasons unrelated to performance. 

III.  Why did he do that?

Whoever serves in the command positions held by the three women, serves at the pleasure of the President of the United States.   Therefore, firing for no reason is legal.  
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However, the custom in a democracy's apolitical armed forces is for the individual to complete a tour of duty in the assignment, rather than being dumped without cause.

The sudden, unusual, and historic sacking of top military leadership by President Trump and his administration compromised both him and the U.S. armed forces.   

On February 21, 2025, U.S. Senator Jack Reed spoke for many Americans when he reminded President Trump of a core American standard.

A professional, apolitical military that is subordinate to the civilian government and supportive of the Constitution rather than a political party is essential to the survival of our democracy."

--U.S. Senator Jack Reed, State of Rhode Island, 
and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee.
February 21, 2025 

In January 2025, Retired Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant (2006-2010), U.S. Coast Guard publicly stated support of Admiral Linda L. Fagan.  

• He wrote, "Her dismissal is not a matter of her performance.  It is political  performance.  One that should cause great concern for current and future military leaders."

I believe Admiral Allen's words also explain the abrupt dismissal of Admiral Lisa Franchetti and Lieutenant General Telita Crosland.  Indeed, his succinct statement applies to all of the top leaders decimated by President Trump and his administration in January and February 2025.

IV.  Photos of Lt. Gen. Crosland, Adm. Fagan, and Adm. Franchetti.

A.  Lieutenant General Telita Crosland, Retired, U.S. Army.

Lieutenant General Telita Crosland, Director, U.S. Defense Health Agency, (DOD photo circa 2024)

Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland's family, including her son and her father, participated in her promotion ceremony January 20, 2023, when they helped pin on her third star. (Office of Army Surgeon General)

B.  Admiral Linda L. Fagan, U.S. Coast Guard. 

Admiral Linda L. Fagan, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, (DOD Photo, circa 2024)

Admiral Linda L. Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, speaks to guests during the 2024 State of the Coast Guard Address in Washington, D.C., March 20, 2024. (U. S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Giles)

C.  ​Admiral Lisa Franchetti, U.S. Navy.

Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations, U.S. Navy, (DOD Photo, circa 2024)

General C.Q. Brown, Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, greets Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations, prior to the start of the 2024 Army-Navy Game at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. Dec. 14, 2024. (DOD Photo by Benjamin Applebaum)

V.  Closing Thoughts.

Generations of American women and Americans of color have struggled to get a seat at the decision-making table of the U.S. armed forces.  Formal education, experience, and merit never guaranteed a chair, but did bring the possibility closer.

In recent decades, the exemplary military careers of some American women and Americans of color have led to a place at that table.  And in those roles, they have served with distinction for the good of the United States.

The fallacious thinking of a few white men that women and people of color are not "the right fit" for carrying out the mission of the armed forces will not persist.  

Why?  Because most Americans--especially those in the armed forces--recognize a corrupt grasp for power.  They also know how to deal with misogynists and racists.

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​ Sources:
1.  U.S. Department of Defense, Biographies, "Retired Lt. General Telita Crossland," 
https://www.defense.gov/About/Biographies/Biography/Article/1962263/retired-lieutenant-general-telita-crosland/ (accessed March 8, 2025)

2.  Notable People, Commandants, "Admiral Linda L. Fagan, U.S. Coast Guard,"
https://www.history.uscg.mil/Browse-by-Topic/Notable-,People/All/Article/3054958/admiral-linda-l-fagan/ (accessed March 10, 2025)

3.  Megan Norris, "Retired U.S. Coast Guard Leadership Speak Out on Firing of Admiral Fagan," Maritime Security US Coast Guard USAG, January 24, 2025. (accessed March 12, 2025)

4.  America's Navy, Leadership, Flag Officer Biographies, "Admiral Lisa Franchetti,
Former Chief of Naval Operations," https://www.navy.mil/Leadership/Flag-Officer-Biographies/BioDisplay/Article/3148210/admiral-lisa-franchetti/ (accessed March 12, 2025)