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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Gina Ortiz Jones leaves the post she held since 2021. |
One of the highest-ranking Filipino Americans in President Biden's administration has left her post as Under Secretary of the Air Force.
After instituting a string of reforms vastly improving the diversity of the US Air Force, Gina Ortiz Jones stepped down from her office Marce 6.
Also, in another personnel action unrelated to Jones' departure, earlier this week the Senate confirmed Ravi Chaudhary to be the Air Force Assistant Secretary for Energy.
In a recent interview with Verve Times, she said it seemed like a natural time to go, and that she’s ready for a break after working 12- to 14-hour days on “really meaty, meaty issues” that affect military personnel.
Although she didn't specify what her next step would be, Jones said, “It will always be related to public service.”
She pushed through some of the most significant diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the Defense Department, and did so by espousing a pretty simple idea: It’s crucial for military recruitment, retention and readiness.
Jones, a member of the LGBTQ community, served in the Air Force under the military's old "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" discriminatory policy, which allowed non-heterosexual service members to stay in the ranks if they remained closeted.
In her role as under secretary, the Iraq war veteran helped push a wide variety of reforms aimed at making life in uniform easier for women, minorities and parents.
This past September, Jones spearheaded a policy change that allowed pregnant service members and civilians to apply for Air Force Officer Training School, reversing the service's previous rules that barred candidates from going through the program until 12 months postpartum.
Almost a year ago, she issued a statement reminding service members that the Air Force could help protect them from anti-LGBTQ state initiatives, such as one in Texas that raised the possibility of child welfare investigations against parents with transgender children. The guidance Jones issued said the service would use medical, legal and other resources to support its personnel who run into such problems.
“We are closely tracking state laws and legislation to ensure we prepare for and mitigate effects to our airmen, guardians and their families,” Jones said, using “guardians” as the official shorthand for members of the U.S. Space Force. “Medical, legal resources and various assistance are available for those who need them.”
Additionally, this past August, Jones helped set new demographic goals in hopes of getting more diverse applicants for the service's officer corps, which has historically leaned toward white males.
Under those new goals, the Air Force and Space Force aim to have 36% of their officers be women, up from the previous target of 30% nearly a decade ago.
"We're in a race for talent, and our policies need to reflect that," Jones said in a press release regarding the OTS change. "This policy change will ensure we're able to fully tap into the talent amongst our force, as well as those looking to join us."
Ortiz Jones oversees the department’s $173 billion annual budget and directs strategy and policy development, risk management, weapons acquisition, technology investments and human resource management across the service.
She also ran a vigorous campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Texas' 23rd District in 2018 and 2020. Jones, a Democrat, ended up closely losing both races.
The former Air Force intelligence officer’s duties will be taken over by Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller Kristyn Jones until a new under secretary is appointed, according to a press release.
Chaudhary previously served as a Senior Executive at the US Department of Transportation where he was Director of Advanced Programs and Innovation, Office of Commercial Space at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
He was responsible for the execution of advanced development and research programs in support of the FAA’s commercial space transportation mission.
"Throughout her tenure, Under Secretary Jones has been a tireless advocate for the Department of the Air Force and its people," Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said in the press release Monday. "Her leadership in enabling all airmen, Guardians, and their families to serve to their full potential and providing the resources they need has enhanced the readiness of the Air and Space Force for years to come."
The Air Force didn't say why Ortiz Jones is leaving her office and Jones herself was mum about her departure leaving a single statement on social media thanking President Biden for having be part of his administration.
In a recent interview with Verve Times, she said it seemed like a natural time to go, and that she’s ready for a break after working 12- to 14-hour days on “really meaty, meaty issues” that affect military personnel.
Although she didn't specify what her next step would be, Jones said, “It will always be related to public service.”
She pushed through some of the most significant diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the Defense Department, and did so by espousing a pretty simple idea: It’s crucial for military recruitment, retention and readiness.
Jones, a member of the LGBTQ community, served in the Air Force under the military's old "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" discriminatory policy, which allowed non-heterosexual service members to stay in the ranks if they remained closeted.
In her role as under secretary, the Iraq war veteran helped push a wide variety of reforms aimed at making life in uniform easier for women, minorities and parents.
This past September, Jones spearheaded a policy change that allowed pregnant service members and civilians to apply for Air Force Officer Training School, reversing the service's previous rules that barred candidates from going through the program until 12 months postpartum.
Almost a year ago, she issued a statement reminding service members that the Air Force could help protect them from anti-LGBTQ state initiatives, such as one in Texas that raised the possibility of child welfare investigations against parents with transgender children. The guidance Jones issued said the service would use medical, legal and other resources to support its personnel who run into such problems.
“We are closely tracking state laws and legislation to ensure we prepare for and mitigate effects to our airmen, guardians and their families,” Jones said, using “guardians” as the official shorthand for members of the U.S. Space Force. “Medical, legal resources and various assistance are available for those who need them.”
Additionally, this past August, Jones helped set new demographic goals in hopes of getting more diverse applicants for the service's officer corps, which has historically leaned toward white males.
Under those new goals, the Air Force and Space Force aim to have 36% of their officers be women, up from the previous target of 30% nearly a decade ago.
"We're in a race for talent, and our policies need to reflect that," Jones said in a press release regarding the OTS change. "This policy change will ensure we're able to fully tap into the talent amongst our force, as well as those looking to join us."
Ortiz Jones oversees the department’s $173 billion annual budget and directs strategy and policy development, risk management, weapons acquisition, technology investments and human resource management across the service.
She also ran a vigorous campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Texas' 23rd District in 2018 and 2020. Jones, a Democrat, ended up closely losing both races.
The former Air Force intelligence officer’s duties will be taken over by Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller Kristyn Jones until a new under secretary is appointed, according to a press release.
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| Ravi Chaudhary is the US Air Force Assistant Secretary for Energy |
Meanwhile, on March 15, the United States Senate confirmed Ravi Chaudhary, an Indian American, as the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and the Environment. Chaudhary won the mandate with a vote of 65-29, making him one of the top civilian leaders in the Pentagon. He is the first Indian American to serve in this position.
Chaudhary, a former Air Force pilot, will be responsible for the Air Force's sustainability and operational readiness. This includes developing installations and basing strategies, as well as ensuring the quality of military housing.
Chaudhary previously served as a Senior Executive at the US Department of Transportation where he was Director of Advanced Programs and Innovation, Office of Commercial Space at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
He was responsible for the execution of advanced development and research programs in support of the FAA’s commercial space transportation mission.
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