Feature:Skilled Military Soccer Players Are Air Force Officers

 JULY 18, 2022 | BY DAVID VERGUN, DOD NEWS

Two Air Force captains have much in common. Both fly in F-15 fighter jets; both are on the U.S. Armed Forces Women's Soccer Team; and both said what attracted them to the Air Force and soccer the most is teamwork and camaraderie.

Soccer players pose for a photo

The team is now competing in the 13th World Military Women's Football Championship, which runs from July 11-22 in Spokane, Washington. The event is being hosted by nearby Fairchild Air Force Base.

Air Force Capt. Jen Gillette

Air Force Capt. Jen Gillette, #21 defender, is an F-15 pilot assigned to Seymour Air Force Base, North Carolina's 333rd Fighter Squadron.

Gillette said part of the attraction of a military career was being exposed to military life growing up. Her father served in the Coast Guard for 30 years, and the family moved around a lot.

An airman climbs into a jet

Initially, Gillette had the idea of being a veterinarian because she likes animals. Then, she changed her mind and decided on pre-med. But that didn't sound as interesting and adventurous as going really fast in a fighter jet, she said.

The fighter pilot is sure she made the right choice and has decided to make it a career.

An airman sits in a jet

In 2020, she flew her F-15 over the skies of Iraq and Syria in support of U.S. Central Command missions.

Gillette graduated from Florida Tech and joined the Air Force in 2014, earning her wings in 2016.

Air Force Capt. Angela Karamanos

Air Force Capt. Angela Karamanos, #24 midfielder, is an F-15 weapons systems officer, who sits in the back seat of an F-15 and fires weapons and sometimes helps navigate when needed.

She is assigned to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho's 389th Thunderbolts Fighter Squadron.

After graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Karamanos was commissioned in 2018 and earned her wings in 2020.

Two female soccer players compete on the field.

Karamanos said she and her brother grew up loving sports, but she gravitated to soccer as she found it interesting and exciting.

She noted that teamwork and camaraderie in the Air Force extends not just to the pilots and other officers, but also to enlisted personnel, such as the mechanics. It's like a big family, she added.

Karamanos' Air Force service is until 2026. She isn't sure if she'll stay in and currently doesn't have plans for a career outside the Air Force. She said she still has a few years left to think about it and wants to make the decision that is best for her.

About the Competition

The U.S. team is now competing against teams from Belgium, Cameroon, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Mali, Netherlands and South Korea.

A female athletic team poses for a photo

Each year, the International Military Sports Council hosts World Military Championships in 26 sports on international and regional levels. The World Military Women's Football Championship is one of them.

New policy to be framed for providing jobs to eminent players

 Tuesday 19th July 2022 at 5:39 PM

We will also give rewards to tournament winners :Meet Hayer

*Bhagwant Mann Govt. committed to restore pristine glory of Punjab in sports *

*Sports Minister pats shooter Arjun Babuta on back for bagging two Golds in World Cup

Mohali: 19th July 2022: (The Sports Screen)

The Punjab Government is in the process of formulating a policy to provide Government jobs to the players bringing glory to the State in National and International level besides covering those winning medals in the big tournaments under the ambit of cash awards.

This was disclosed here today by the Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on the occasion of felicitating Arjun Babuta who won 2 Gold Medals in the Shooting World Cup recently. The Minister was accompanied by the MLA Jalalabad Jagdeep Singh Goldy Kamboj and local councilor Sarbjit Singh Mohali at the phase-11 residence of Arjun Babuta.

Congratulating Arjun Babuta for the stupendous achievement and expressed hope that this feat would act as an inspiration to the budding players. He also gave his best wishes to the player for the future events including 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Sports Minister further said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Government is undertaking special efforts to bolster Punjab in sports in order to restore its pristine glory in the sporting arena. Government job would be assured to the players winning medals at the National and International level. There is an equitable policy as of now for awarding cash prizes in terms of every sport whereas the schedule, level and the nature of each sport varies. So, that is why important tournament of every sport would be brought under the cash prize policy.

While interacting with Arjun Babuta, the Minister disclosed that the phase 6 shooting range at Mohali is being modernized. He also had a word with Arjun Babuta about the World Cup, his sport apart from seeing his Rifle and Medallions. The shooter also showed shooting range at his home to the Minister which was made during Covid-19 pandemic period.

The MLA Jagdeep Singh Goldy Kamboj said that Arjun Babuta has brought glory to his hometown Jalalabad.

On the occasion, the father of Arjun Babuta, Neeraj Babuta and Mother Deepti Babuta thanked the Minister. Deepti Babuta, who is also a Punjabi writer, gifted a set of her books to Meet Hayer.The District Sports Officer Gurdeep Kaur and Naib Tehsildar Arjan Grewal were also present.