Female Combat Pilot Serves as VMI Leader-in-Residence

VMI’s 2024–25 Leader-in-Residence, Amber Smith, former U.S. Army Kiowa helicopter pilot and author of two books, “Danger Close: My Epic Journey as a Combat Helicopter Pilot in Iraq and Afghanistan,” and “Unfit to Fight: How Woke Policies are Destroying Our Military,” visited post recently.

Named in honor of Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, VMI’s 14th superintendent, the LIR program is an important part of the Center for Leadership and Ethics’ efforts to educate, engage, and inspire cadets, faculty, and staff to develop as leaders. With that goal in mind, the program brings to post people of stature within their fields whose distinguished careers exemplify the citizen-soldier model. Smith’s residency amounts to a 2-week visit over the course of the academic year. She has interacted primarily with cadets in various formal and informal settings, including the classroom, barracks, and during athletic activities such as club sports.

Smith is one of only a few women to have flown the Kiowa warrior helicopter, whose mission is armed reconnaissance and requires its pilots to stay low, fast, and perilously close to the fire. She deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as a member of the elite 2-17 Cavalry Regiment, part of the legendary 101st Airborne Division, the Screaming Eagles, where she rose to pilot-in-command and air mission commander. She engaged with terrorists, the Taliban, and al Qaeda. She was shot at, was in firefights, and had some extremely close calls, which have had lasting effects on her life. After leaving the military, she entered graduate school and studied writing for 2 years. She has had articles published, which led to analysis and commentary and then the publishing of her books.

Sitting in on a few classes, Smith shared her experiences as a pilot and her views on leadership to both commissioning and non-commissioning cadets.

“A leader’s job is to be their subordinates’ champion,” she said and stressed the importance of communication in leadership. “Leaders need to learn how to be better communicators. Too often, communication is put on the back burner because of extremely busy schedules, but poor communication can lead to ambiguity and assumptions.”

One class Smith attended while on post was a course taught by U.S. Air Force Col. Nichole Scott, Air Force ROTC commander, who stated that it’s critical for the cadets to hear different leadership perspectives.

“Smith’s message about her journey and what motivated her while she was in the Army reinforces the themes and traits we’re trying to instill in our future officers. Among other things she discussed was the importance of decision-making and communication. We appreciated her candor and willingness to share her story with us,” said Scott.

Cadet Laini Morgan ’25, an electrical and computer engineering major from Erie, Pennsylvania, and a student in Scott’s class, was inspired by Smith’s story as a female military helicopter pilot.

“The advice she shared was invaluable, and the key takeaway for me was her emphasis on doing your job with excellence. When you’re great at what you do, no one can question or criticize you. If you fully invest yourself into your job and embrace the challenges, that’s what people will remember and respect. I’m grateful she’s now using her wealth of experience to inspire and support others,” shared Morgan.

Smith will return to post in the spring, when she will be the keynote speaker at the Superintendent’s Leadership Dinner.