Necessary Turbulence: Fifty Years, One Unbreakable Sisterhood Forged in the Crucible of the Air Force Academy

by Eileen M Isola (Editor), Jennifer Y Ortiz (Editor), MaxieJane Frazier (Editor)

Genres: History

388 pages, Hardcover

Published June 23, 2026

Reviews

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really excellent!! rtc

4.75 Stars

Read on kindle

[Steph Soltis · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Necessary Turbulence” is a story of inspiring progress and infuriating regression; of battles fought and won in foreign skies and in legislative offices, classrooms, and boardrooms at home. As an Academy grad, I was already familiar with the commonality of our experiences, but still found myself torn between laughing, crying, and shaking my fist as I thought, “I didn’t know anyone else felt that way!” Turns out, almost everyone did. Through their thoughtful compilation of more than a hundred women’s stories, the editors have woven a complex tapestry, demonstrating both the loneliness and unity in fighting for the privilege of proving you belong on the field of challenge, sacrifice, and excellence. It would be a shame for this book to be pigeonholed as women’s history or military history when really, it’s the ongoing story of America: a tale of the resilience, setbacks, victories, heartbreaks, ill intent of some gatekeepers and good intent of others, and ultimately the determination that characterizes our ongoing quest to form a more perfect Union.

I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[susan torrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Necessary Turbulence is one of those rare collections that manages to be both intimate and sweeping at once. Over a hundred women who attended the U.S. Air Force Academy share their own stories, but the editors have stitched them into something that reads like a single, unbroken narrative : funny in one paragraph, gutting in the next. There's real dark humor here, born from shared hardship, right alongside accounts of loneliness, sacrifice, and quiet triumph. What stayed with me most is how the book refuses to flatten anyone's experience into a single "lesson;" it lets the contradictions sit side by side, the way real history does. You don't need a military background to feel the weight of what these women carried, or to recognize the universal thread of proving you belong somewhere you were told you didn't. A book club pick, a book for anyone who's ever been "the only one" in a room, and a genuinely important piece of American history that hasn't been told this way before.

[Cam Torrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I attended the Air Force Academy in the ‘80s, soon after women were integrated into the institution. My sister was a USAFA grad, I married a grad, and I spent 30 years in the Air Force working with and for women officers. I took their drive, initiative, and skills for granted and didn’t spend a lot of time contrasting their experiences with those of us “guys.”

I should have.

“Necessary Turbulence” opened my eyes and highlighted my naïveté about women’s experiences at the Academy and within the Air Force—both good and bad. Once I started the book, I couldn’t put it down.

While the Academy anecdotes were fascinating, I found the stories of my fellow grads after they entered the Air Force to be the most touching. Alyssa Van Baalen’s and Stephanie Soltis’s accounts of the Afghanistan evacuation were incredible and highlighted the character that USAFA helped shape.

Can’t recommend this book more for revelation, resilience, and inspiration!

[Katy Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s different about this book is that it isn’t just a historical record—it is a masterclass in the human spirit. The narrative doesn't shy away from the jagged edges of progress. But just as quickly, you’ll find yourself laughing out loud. The dark humor born of shared hardship, the clever subversions of absurd rules, matched with the unbreakable spirit of gritty resolve provide a necessary, brilliant levity. It reminds us that you can’t survive a revolution without a sense of humor.
And these women didn't just endure to prove a point; they endured to serve their country. That dedication to mission—keeping the one thing, the only thing—is the heartbeat of every chapter. If you have ever been the “only” in the room, this book’s for you!

I received an advanced copy to read and give my honest review.

[Kari Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An incredible, inspiring, and interesting story woven together by 108 USAFA women from 50 years of experience and depth. History and life told through the eyes of women with tenacity, persevere, and hope! The editors did something genius- they told “The” story, with different fabrics of each story. Like a beautiful, colorful, glorious quilt.
The United States Air Force Academy and Air Force has incredible history. This book fills in some gaps, patches some holes and like the Japanese art of Kintsugi, these women’s telling of their stories mending fractured history with their hope and grit. Rather than concealing the flaws of the events that happened, the story tellers cherishe these imperfections and perceives them as an indispensable part of its unique story.
A definite read!

[Jane Westergaard-Nimocks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a collection of stories collected from women who attended the Air Force Academy. Their stores reach out and touch your heart and your head. This book creates a transparency of the women's experience from the day they step off the bus and follows them through their careers post graduation. The book is unlike any description of women in service to our country of which I am aware. The stories detail the challenges, successes, joys and abuses women experience as minorities within a system that offers high caliber learning and career opportunities but not without the high cost of living under and through a male-driven organization which moves slowly to reform their organization to add equal access, sense of belonging and fair treatment for female cadets. This book is a page turner. Once I picked it up, I could not put it down.

[Sara A · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a female military academy graduate, Necessary Turbulence was a time machine taking me back over 40 years. I laughed at "Sushi Gate" (no spoilers) and some of the ridiculous "traditions" that bonded us to each other and our male classmates. I cried at the sacrifices my fellow alumni made professionally and personally. This book made me see the extra weight ALL WOMEN carry from one chapter of their lives to the next. It also shows our desire to help those around us and pave easier paths for those who follow. One does not need to be in the military or an academy graduate to be moved and inspired by these honest, vulnerable, and unfiltered narratives.

NOTE: I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very important read! The stories of the courageous and dedicated women of the USAFA have been hidden for too long. It’s been 50 years of struggle, perseverance & sacrifice to get anything close to the successes & recognition they deserve. As someone with a non-military background, I was blown away. With the misogynistic & discriminatory environment our current government & military leadership have put back into play these stories are even more important. You will be amazed at the lives & accomplishments of these women. I'm hopeful that the hardships they endured have not been in vain for future generations.
I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Necessary Turbulence was like peering through a stained glass window. 108 individual pieces, crafted together to become a beautiful illustration of cadet and military life. Individually vibrant blues and greens, fiery reds and oranges, peaceful yellows and indigoes. Sadness, hope, courage, pain, triumphs. Alone, these pieces of glass might be fragile but they were forged together with steel, aluminum or lead, by the shared experiences and the narrative shaped by brilliant editors. Looking in the window helped me see the other side of the world not many get to see.
I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review.”

[Julia Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Necessary Turbulence captures the story of women at the United States Air Force Academy – the challenges, the triumphs, and what it took to succeed (or not) in a man’s world. The thoughtful compendium of diverse experiences applies to anyone wanting to be aware of pitfalls and prepare to overcome obstacles, no matter what endeavor they face. My take away was that most individuals are stronger than they think and that it’s important to define success on your own terms rather than slavishly follow someone else’s definition. I am immensely proud of these women and what they accomplished. I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Emily Gross Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been inspired by the women who served beside me at the US Air Force Academy and throughout our military journeys, but this book brought my appreciation for them to an entirely new level. Their stories are powerful, authentic, and a testament to courage, perseverance, and selfless service. I feel honored to learn from the experiences of so many remarkable women. This book is both inspiring and deeply meaningful.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Samantha Krawciw · Rating 5 out of 5]

108 women who have graduated from the Air Force Academy over the last 50 years shared their stories and a team of editors wove them into a single narrative. It’s very well done. I graduated 35 years ago and served 10 years. I saw my own complicated story in this book. One graduate summed up what many of us felt when she said that going to the Academy was, “the best mistake I ever made.” The book didn’t whitewash what we went through which I’m thankful for. I think this book is historically significant and will be studied for many generations.

[Jackie Perr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Necessary Turbulence belongs to everyone, because warriors belong to everyone. Warfare is one of our oldest tools, and women have carried it for as long as we've been human; what's new is the telling, not the fighting. We fight and win best when we let our warriors thrive as who they are, not who we think they should be.



I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Hannah Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a graduate of USAFA, I treasure this wonderful compilation of many graduates' stories. I remain grateful for the women who paved the way to give us more opportunities later on -- this story was a poignant reminder of this.

I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Georgia R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard that this book would be one story and it truly is. I was heart broken at several points in the book and understand why some women have never returned for a reunion.
I recommend this book to anyone who has attended a military Academy and anyone who knows a woman who has attended a military Academy, especially the Air Force Academy. This book will explain so much.

[JENNIFER · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book by women, about women, for women. How we forge ahead through all obstacles. Whether in uniform or not, all women will relate to our shared history of battles won, lost and most importantly, survived.