Stunning Truths About the Freedom to Serve | Colonel Eries Mentzer | TEDxJacksonville
Colonel (retired) Eries Mentzer, the first Black woman to command Maxwell Air Force Base, explores the Freedom to Serve in the military. She discusses the profound impact of President Truman's May 22, 1950 Freedom To Serve Report, which laid out the foundational principles of equal treatment and opportunity in the U.S. military, while reflecting on her own service journey. Colonel Mentzer's 30-year career in the United States Air Force is a living example of how breaking down barriers can bolster our all-volunteer military, protect our democracy, and strengthen our nation.#FreedomToServe #Military #MilitaryService #Truman #WomensRights #EqualRightsEries Mentzer is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel who served for three decades shaping national security strategies, crisis management plans, and legislative engagements while leading and mentoring America's service members. She played a critical role as a legislative liaison, ensuring Air Force transparency and shaping Congressional understanding of mission priorities. As a squadron commander in the Middle East, she led the largest encampment and the second-largest mortuary operation, ensuring readiness while honoring the fallen. Her leadership extended to the Joint Staff, where she prepared top military generals to advise the President and National Security Council during the War on Terrorism and the Ebola crisis. Breaking barriers as the first Black woman to command Maxwell Air Force Base, she launched initiatives honoring military history while securing investments for future generations. Her career culminated at Air Force Special Operations Command, where she launched the new Air Commando Development Center, training highly specialized warfighters for global campaigns, conflict, and crisis.Now a veteran and advocate, Eries is featured in the National World War II Museum's film "Our War Too: Women in Service." She serves on the board of Operation Lifeline to deliver safe, accessible, and affordable homes for displaced Veterans and on the Truman Library Institute board to inspire rising leaders through President Truman's legacy. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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