Des Moines, Iowa --
Lt. Col. Alexandria Greenfield, 132d Intelligence Support Squadron commander, hosted a professional development seminar at the 132d Wing on October 14, 2018.
Greenfield, who is retiring in December, shared stories of her career progression and the lessons she learned along the way. She highlighted three main talking points that included taking advantage of opportunities, not being afraid to fail, and being able to do your job.
Greenfield talked about how her military background growing up helped her decided to become an officer through the Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC). Early in her career she was placed in positions in which she had little to no experience in. Greenfield said these experiences helped her learn and grow into her role as a leader.
“Giving opportunities to people is so critical to helping them learn,” said Greenfield.
Greenfield’s career took her through various intelligence assignments, a stint instructing ROTC members and eventually bringing her to the 132d Wing where she commanded several new intelligence squadrons.
Greenfield ended the seminar with a Q&A session and was asked if being a female in a largely male force had ever limited her opportunities.
“If you think in terms of male versus female, it’s going to be male versus female,” said Greenfield. “It doesn’t matter who you are, we all bring something to the table.”
Greenfield ended by reinforcing the value of doing one’s job to the best of their ability, while also reminding the Airmen that they are in charge of their own career.
“Take advantage of the opportunities that are given to you,” said Greenfield. “You are the only one that is going to decide how to do things.”
Greenfield plans to retire from the Air Force in December 2018, closing the books on a 20 year career.