RAFB MONCRIEF

RAFB MONCRIEF

For and thanks for good evening good evening and thanks for joining us for 41nbc news at 5:30.

I'm shelby coates.

First -- only on 41 nbc.... this women's history month... we are looking at leadership at robins air force base... in houston county.

That's where many top positions are held by women.

Some of these leaders admit... getting to the top is not easy... especially when you don't see others who look like you.

Colonel tiaundra (ttee-on-druh) moncrief .... wants to change that.... as she commands the staff judge advocate office ... in the 78th air base wing.

She also feels a duty to pay it forward.

When it comes to colonel tiaundra moncrief's success she says much of it... is due to the actions of her first female boss.

"she took the time to care, to pull me aside and to tell me when i was doing things wrong, but also tell me when i was doing things right."

Those right things... eventually brought moncrief to robins air force base last summer.

Here she commands the office of the staff judge advocate.

"we cover in this office a gambit of legal practices."

Standup: this office provides legal advice and litigation support on issues of criminal law, military justice, labor and more."

"we help servicemember and airmen civilian through a myarid of legal issues."

Inspired by her father's air force career ... moncrief says... she wanted to do the same... after graduating from law school.

"i knew i also wanted to serve in the air force."

As her career moved up... she says... she did not see many other women leaders ... especially not leaders who looked like her.

***"sometimes i am the only woman in the room.

Sometimes i am the only person of color in the room.

And sometimes both."

Seeing a lack of diversity on her leadership journey ... caused her to have questions .... about her own abilities.

"and asking those tough and challenging questions and navigating that space can be challenging."

Even after coming to that understanding.... moncrief says ... she still needs reminding -- even as a leader.

"growing up my mother would always tell me 'suck it up tiaundra.'

Some's gotta have the courage.'

So her words resonate in my mind continually."

While addressing legal issues day to day ... colonel moncrief explains .... that she has... an even greater purpose.

*** "because i am where i am now, i feel duty bound to take that seat, so that if i don't take it, i don't reserve it for those that are coming behind."

For those now following in her footsteps, moncreif says visual representation in key.

"recently we heard people can aspire to be what they see.

So i hope that other women -- specific women of color -- can look at me and see they can reach the heights that i have."

She also feels the responsiblity to cultivate change... by helping others, all because of that first female leader.... who mentored her.

*** "who can i pull up with me?

Who can i help guide?

And provide information that i gleaning from those that helped me?"

And her advice for others -- making their way to the table -- is to remember their worth.

"i do sit at the table and i do c1 3 b13 have a voice.

So i have a duty to use it for those who don't have a seat."

Colonel moncrief says... it's also important for leaders to speak out and be bold ... when it comes to addressing change.

She recommends leaders look back ... and see who can they