MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa is seeking to boost representation in the U.S. Military’s highest ranks, WFLA reported.
To that end, the Air Force’s AIM High program is looking to inspire and recruit youngsters to increase representation and diversity in the military by giving high school students a seat in the cockpit of aircraft.
Five minority students from Cristo Rey Tampa Salesian High School were the first to participate in the AIM High program.
Out of the 45 current four-star commanders, only two are black and one is a woman.
“You can’t be what you can’t see, and this is the possibility,” the U.S.’s only four-star female general, Jacqueline Van Ovost, told the group.
“If they’re not aware of the specific industries in which they can go into, it’s a loss,” Cristo Rey Director of Work Study Takiyah Dickson said.
