Dawn Fleming

Branch: Iowa Army National Guard
Years Served: July 2004-January 2019
Rank: E-6 Staff Sergeant
Military Occupation: 92G-Food Operations Specialist
Twitter Handle: TBD

Tell us a little about you outside of the military: 

• •  I am married with 1 daughter who is a senior in high school. I received a Bachelors of Science in Elementary and Middle School Science and Social Studies Education from the University of Dubuque. I taught preschool for 4 years. An opportunity to advance to a Childcare Assistant Director became available and I chose to go for the position and became an administrator. After 2 years, I was promoted to Director. 2 years ago, I became friends with a group of local veterans and through some help from local supporters, I helped form the Tri-State Women Warriors. In April, I accepted the position of Assistant Director of Financial Aid and Military Coordinator/VA Certifying Official.

Why are you joining the IAVA Cavalry? 

• • To advocate for veterans on priorities that I feel are important and align with the IAVA such as selective service, our Afghan allies and reproductive care. My goal in life is to make the difference in someone’s life. By advocating for a population, then maybe at least people will see a positive change in their life because I choose to tell my story and use my voice.

How did your military experience shape you to be the person you are today?

• • Through my military experience, I developed as a leader by being an NCO. I learned hard work will always be there, but can be completed successfully as a team. I learned that a good leader stands by their people and ensures they never do something alone or something that you would not do yourself. Listening to others is important, and learning to develop plans that will work is how we complete tasks. That everyone is a valuable member of a team, no matter what their position is. And that a person is never alone and that the people you serve with are more than friends, they are family.

Which one of IAVA’s policy priorities do you believe is the most pressing? Why?

• • To pick one is difficult. I feel that 2 policies are most pressing. First, as a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, we had interpreters that helped us and ensured our safety. The unit I served with gathered funds to bring him to the country. However, I know there are interpreters that were there after we left and deserve our help as they risked their lives to aid us. Not all citizens agreed with what our interpreters were doing and I feel that it is not right that they could suffer for helping us. The longer they are in Afghanistan, the worse it could be for them. Second, is the ability for female service members as well as spouses to have access to safe women’s reproductive health services. If a woman is serving on active duty, they do not always get the choice as to where they are stationed. And a spouse does not get the choice of where their significant other gets stationed. If that state does not have laws that support women’s reproductive health and that base cannot provide the services, then the health of the females could be jeopardized. A woman should get the choice over their health and what services they need and choose.

Which one of IAVA’s policy priorities do you have the strongest personal connection to? Why? 

• • As a cook in an infantry support unit, I was directly attached to an infantry unit in Afghanistan. When deployment was announced, the females were told that we would be used as FET (Female Engagement Team) members and would aid the infantry. During Pre-Mob, we learned additional infantry tactics and population engagement skills. So, I was expected to perform tasks that the males were expected to complete such as vehicle searches, personnel searches, house searches, conversations with civilians, guard duty and patrols. I also asked to be treated the same as our males were treated, and I was. While I served, more MOSs were opened up to females. So, then the question came up. If women can serve in all MOSs and most units, why can’t they be drafted if that time comes. Why would we leave gaps in units because only men were called up and women could still just volunteer. I believe that if women are serving in all capabilities as men are, then they should have to register for the draft. I asked to be treated like one of the guys, then that should mean I should also have to register as well. I am a mom and I would support my daughter if she joined and would also expect her to register.