April 30, 2008 — When polite and soft-spoken Asijah Roacher picked Col. Caroline Adams as his topic for a history assignment, he may have gotten more than he bargained for.
Roacher, 14, had selected a woman of many firsts.
The Ivanna Eudora Kean High School ninth-grader was given an assignment with a choice by his history teacher, Sally Petty. Students could write a report about a famous Virgin Islander, or get the individual to speak at the school. Roacher opted to invite a speaker, a first for Roacher.
As dynamic as Roacher is shy, Adams is the V.I. National Guard's first female aviator. After 19 years of service, she has a number of other firsts to her name. She is certified to fly a number of both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, and has served as the only state army aviation officer within the National Guard.
Adams, a native of St. Croix, attended public schools and graduated from Central High School before joining the VING.
Her resume is impressive: She attended the first officer candidate school held in the territory, she was the first female aide de camp to a general officer selected within the VING, and she is the first and only female in the armed forces to pilot the C-23B Sherpa aircraft.
In addition to her military accomplishments, Adams holds a master's degree in business administration from the University of the Virgin Islands.
"I never had someone like Col. Adams on the phone before, but she was easy to talk to and she answered my questions," Roacher said.
It was exciting to have Adams as the subject for his assignment, he said.
"She is somebody famous, with a lot of experiences," Roacher said. "She was the first woman pilot [in the VING]."
Adams readily agreed to speak to the class about her career, career opportunities and attitude.
Nearly 50 ninth- to 12th-grade students were invited to Adam's speech, some from Petty's history class and others from JROTC.
Adams opened the floor to their questions and answered them frankly. One student asked about her salary. Adams told him outright that she makes $87,000 a year. The salary reflects the dangers of being a pilot.
"Flying is a risky job," Adams explained.
Adams also stressed the importance of education and keeping job skills up to date to make a person marketable.
With an airplane transport pilot certification, Adams has the ability to work for any commercial airline when she retires from the military.
"If the military shut down, I'd still have the skills for a job," Adams said. "I am marketable."
Adams also stressed the importance of enjoying your job.
"You need to be passionate about what you do … I am happy to be in the military," Adams said. "If you have a positive attitude in life, it takes you anywhere."
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