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Jet Girl: My Life in War, Peace, and the Cockpit of the Navy's Most Lethal Aircraft
A fresh, unique insider’s view of what it’s like to be a woman aviator in today’s US Navy—from pedicures to parachutes.
Caroline Johnson was an unlikely aviator candidate. A tall blonde debutante from Colorado, she could have just as easily gone into fashion or filmmaking, and yet she went on to become an F/A-18 Super Hornet Weapons System Operator. She was one of the first women to fly a combat mission over Iraq since 2011, and she was the first woman to drop bombs on ISIS.
Jet Girl tells the remarkable story of the women fighting at the forefront in a military system that allows them to reach the highest peaks, and yet is in many respects still a fraternity. Johnson offers an insider’s view on the fascinating, thrilling, dangerous and, at times, glamorous world of being a naval aviator.
This is a coming-of age story about a young college-aged girl who draws strength from a tight knit group of friends, called the Jet Girls, and struggles with all the ordinary problems of life: love, work, catty housewives, father figures, make-up, wardrobe, not to mention being put into harm’s way daily with terrorist groups such as ISIS and world powers such as Russia and Iran.
Some of the most memorable parts of the book are about real life in training, in the air and in combat—how do you deal with having to pee in a cockpit the size of a bumper car going 900 miles an hour?
Not just a memoir, this book also aims to change the conversation and to inspire and attract the next generation of men and women who are tempted to explore a life of adventure and service.
Caroline Johnson was an unlikely aviator candidate. A tall blonde debutante from Colorado, she could have just as easily gone into fashion or filmmaking, and yet she went on to become an F/A-18 Super Hornet Weapons System Operator. She was one of the first women to fly a combat mission over Iraq since 2011, and she was the first woman to drop bombs on ISIS.
Jet Girl tells the remarkable story of the women fighting at the forefront in a military system that allows them to reach the highest peaks, and yet is in many respects still a fraternity. Johnson offers an insider’s view on the fascinating, thrilling, dangerous and, at times, glamorous world of being a naval aviator.
This is a coming-of age story about a young college-aged girl who draws strength from a tight knit group of friends, called the Jet Girls, and struggles with all the ordinary problems of life: love, work, catty housewives, father figures, make-up, wardrobe, not to mention being put into harm’s way daily with terrorist groups such as ISIS and world powers such as Russia and Iran.
Some of the most memorable parts of the book are about real life in training, in the air and in combat—how do you deal with having to pee in a cockpit the size of a bumper car going 900 miles an hour?
Not just a memoir, this book also aims to change the conversation and to inspire and attract the next generation of men and women who are tempted to explore a life of adventure and service.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2019
113 people are currently reading
855 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
November 3, 2019
In her memoir, Caroline Johnson shares her climb to become a female fighter pilot in the United States Navy. As she and her fellow female pilots navigate the male dominated profession, Johnson unaplogetically discusses the training, the missions, and the complications of a life in today's Navy.
I wavered between a 2-3 star rating on this book, but have now reached the decision that a 3 star reading better represents my overall feelings of the book. There are some difficulties in the structure of the book's writing and occassionally I had to re-read a few sentences or even paragraphs to consider what or exactly Johnson was referring especially when it came to places that was trying to add dialogue.
Perhaps what bugged me the most and maybe it is more something I hope the editor or publisher takes into account is that it is 2019. As a female reader, I cringe when a woman is writing about stepping into a nontraditional role, but feels the need to assure us as a reader that they are still a "girly-girl" or "feminine" When relating the difficulties of long missions in the jet and having to take care of basic needs like going to the bathroom, Johnson doesn't refer just to her underwear, but her Victoria Secret panties. Seriously?? Also, she tends to stress wearing make-up, nail polish and her talent at decorating. I don't know, it just seems like a fairly narrow view of what a woman should be. I am a teacher( very traditional role for a female) who doesn't wear make up and I hate decorating unless it's a Christmas tree. Am I less of a woman? 🤦♀️🤷♀️ Of course not! So don't hijack the person telling their story by adding in such petty and irrelevant details!
Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads Review 03/11/19
Publication Date 05/11/19
I wavered between a 2-3 star rating on this book, but have now reached the decision that a 3 star reading better represents my overall feelings of the book. There are some difficulties in the structure of the book's writing and occassionally I had to re-read a few sentences or even paragraphs to consider what or exactly Johnson was referring especially when it came to places that was trying to add dialogue.
Perhaps what bugged me the most and maybe it is more something I hope the editor or publisher takes into account is that it is 2019. As a female reader, I cringe when a woman is writing about stepping into a nontraditional role, but feels the need to assure us as a reader that they are still a "girly-girl" or "feminine" When relating the difficulties of long missions in the jet and having to take care of basic needs like going to the bathroom, Johnson doesn't refer just to her underwear, but her Victoria Secret panties. Seriously?? Also, she tends to stress wearing make-up, nail polish and her talent at decorating. I don't know, it just seems like a fairly narrow view of what a woman should be. I am a teacher( very traditional role for a female) who doesn't wear make up and I hate decorating unless it's a Christmas tree. Am I less of a woman? 🤦♀️🤷♀️ Of course not! So don't hijack the person telling their story by adding in such petty and irrelevant details!
Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads Review 03/11/19
Publication Date 05/11/19
November 27, 2022
Ever since the new Top Gun movie came out this summer, my fourteen year old daughter is obsessed. Or maybe she is obsessed with Tom Cruise, can’t say that I blame her, considering that she has been watching one of his movies every day for the last few months. The movie that makes up the bulk of her viewing pleasure: the original Top Gun. For a month stretch, she watched it every day, sometimes as many as three times a day. The rest of our family no longer needs to watch because we can hear exactly where the movie is based on the soundtrack. Maverick, she’s watched that many times as well, although I think I outnumber her because I watch the highlights on YouTube every day. You can see where she gets her Tom Cruise obsession from. That’s where our similarities end. Since watching these movies constantly, my daughter is also obsessed with the F/A-14 tomcat, claiming it’s the most gorgeous plane. She wants to be a naval aviator although the odds are stacked against her- 5 feet in wedges, high glasses prescription, and a religious lifestyle that does not lend itself well to a naval lifestyle. Still she can dream, especially when in this new movie one of the pilots is a woman. My daughter tells me that she’s going to take me in a joyride in a jet in fifteen years ala Maverick and Penny. Um no. I am happy with my feet on the ground unless it’s absolutely necessary; yet, I will let my daughter continue to dream big.
Our wonderful middle school language arts teacher assigns one independent reading book each trimester. The second trimester is always a nonfiction book. This daughter spent a good six years not reading at all and detests nonfiction. I told you, after the Tom Cruise obsession, the similarities end. I took matters into my own hands by finding books on naval aviation. I figured she would be willing to read one of them. And considering that she says that Phoenix is wonderful, why not a book about a female naval aviator. There are plenty of Hangmans in the navy but not enough Phoenixes. When I saw a memoir written by a female aviator named Caroline Johnson call sign Dutch, I knew I hit the bullseye. Now to read this to see if my daughter would enjoy it enough to read for a school project.
Caroline Johnson comes from a family of pilots. Her grandmother was a nurse in World War II, and her father flies although not for the military. Her brother Craig is a naval pilot so naturally that is what she wanted to do as well. Excelling at the academy, she entered flight school and her instructors told her to go jets from day one. She was that good. In the jet community women have to work twice as hard, give 200% or they will be left behind. The navy is still an old boys network, and retention for female pilots is 17%. Even in Maverick when Admiral Bates says that more than ever the difference between life or death comes down to the man or woman in the box, one can sense the tension rising between Phoenix and Hangman. Hangman is an old school definition of a naval aviator- alpha white male. In the real world according to Johnson, these men freeze out the women, giving them menial jobs, many times speaking in sexual overtones, denying women promotions even if the women outperformed the men. Starting at the top from the admirals, this attitude of freezing out women needs to change. There need to be more admirals like Admiral Bates who believe that it comes down to the pilot in the box.
The navy afforded Johnson opportunities that people like my daughter dream of. Being an exchange student in Germany and learning the language fluently, finding a community of jet girls, sailing on the USS George HW Bush, and flying in country in both Afghanistan and Iraq, becoming the first woman to drop bombs on ISIS in 2014. Aboard the Bush, Johnson was fortunate that the admirals gave choice jobs based on merit rather than gender. Even in the prestigious Black Lion squadron, she excelled to the top and was on the path to go to Top Gun; yes, that Top Gun, when she returned. Yet, upon returning, the same squadron mates and admirals denied her opportunities to advance. The navy in real life as of five years ago did not come down to the pilot in the box, but to their gender.
Johnson is no longer in the navy although before leaving she returned to the academy as an instructor hoping to influence female students to go jets, as well as admirals that change must come from the top. Why do so many women leave jets, a whopping 87%? Because for years women were denied promotions, were treated second class regardless of ability, and saw few if any people like them in leadership positions. No matter how cool Maverick is, he is still a white male. This is the 21st century. Maverick’s pilots included Hispanics, Asians, an African American, and two women. Until the real navy, according to Johnson, becomes race and gender blind, few squadrons are going to look like the one in Maverick. Caroline Johnson lived the life of a badass jet girl for ten years but left because she still faced the discrimination that should no longer be present as we move ahead in the 21st century. My daughter is better off viewing Phoenix as a role model and perhaps strive to be an aviator in the Israeli army. I don’t know if I want her reading this book, as quality as it is, because its writer, as well meaning as she is, in writing about the navy’s shortcomings, is discouraging teenaged girls from even applying to the academy. Hopefully, ten years from now girls who grew up watching Phoenix fly as Maverick’s fox trot pilot will join the navy as aviators and remain there.
👩✈️ 3.5 stars ✈️
Our wonderful middle school language arts teacher assigns one independent reading book each trimester. The second trimester is always a nonfiction book. This daughter spent a good six years not reading at all and detests nonfiction. I told you, after the Tom Cruise obsession, the similarities end. I took matters into my own hands by finding books on naval aviation. I figured she would be willing to read one of them. And considering that she says that Phoenix is wonderful, why not a book about a female naval aviator. There are plenty of Hangmans in the navy but not enough Phoenixes. When I saw a memoir written by a female aviator named Caroline Johnson call sign Dutch, I knew I hit the bullseye. Now to read this to see if my daughter would enjoy it enough to read for a school project.
Caroline Johnson comes from a family of pilots. Her grandmother was a nurse in World War II, and her father flies although not for the military. Her brother Craig is a naval pilot so naturally that is what she wanted to do as well. Excelling at the academy, she entered flight school and her instructors told her to go jets from day one. She was that good. In the jet community women have to work twice as hard, give 200% or they will be left behind. The navy is still an old boys network, and retention for female pilots is 17%. Even in Maverick when Admiral Bates says that more than ever the difference between life or death comes down to the man or woman in the box, one can sense the tension rising between Phoenix and Hangman. Hangman is an old school definition of a naval aviator- alpha white male. In the real world according to Johnson, these men freeze out the women, giving them menial jobs, many times speaking in sexual overtones, denying women promotions even if the women outperformed the men. Starting at the top from the admirals, this attitude of freezing out women needs to change. There need to be more admirals like Admiral Bates who believe that it comes down to the pilot in the box.
The navy afforded Johnson opportunities that people like my daughter dream of. Being an exchange student in Germany and learning the language fluently, finding a community of jet girls, sailing on the USS George HW Bush, and flying in country in both Afghanistan and Iraq, becoming the first woman to drop bombs on ISIS in 2014. Aboard the Bush, Johnson was fortunate that the admirals gave choice jobs based on merit rather than gender. Even in the prestigious Black Lion squadron, she excelled to the top and was on the path to go to Top Gun; yes, that Top Gun, when she returned. Yet, upon returning, the same squadron mates and admirals denied her opportunities to advance. The navy in real life as of five years ago did not come down to the pilot in the box, but to their gender.
Johnson is no longer in the navy although before leaving she returned to the academy as an instructor hoping to influence female students to go jets, as well as admirals that change must come from the top. Why do so many women leave jets, a whopping 87%? Because for years women were denied promotions, were treated second class regardless of ability, and saw few if any people like them in leadership positions. No matter how cool Maverick is, he is still a white male. This is the 21st century. Maverick’s pilots included Hispanics, Asians, an African American, and two women. Until the real navy, according to Johnson, becomes race and gender blind, few squadrons are going to look like the one in Maverick. Caroline Johnson lived the life of a badass jet girl for ten years but left because she still faced the discrimination that should no longer be present as we move ahead in the 21st century. My daughter is better off viewing Phoenix as a role model and perhaps strive to be an aviator in the Israeli army. I don’t know if I want her reading this book, as quality as it is, because its writer, as well meaning as she is, in writing about the navy’s shortcomings, is discouraging teenaged girls from even applying to the academy. Hopefully, ten years from now girls who grew up watching Phoenix fly as Maverick’s fox trot pilot will join the navy as aviators and remain there.
👩✈️ 3.5 stars ✈️
October 15, 2019
This book will do little to change the way women are treated in the military.
⭐️⭐️
SUMMARY
A graduate of the United States Naval Academy goes on to become an F/A-18 Super Hornet Weapons System Officer. She was one of the first women to fly a combat mission over Iraq since 2011 and she was the first woman to drop bombs on ISIS. This coming-of-age book aims to inspire and attract the next generation of men and women to the military.
REVIEW
I appreciate the story CAROLINE JOHNSON is trying to tell. She was definitely dealt a bad hand of cards, when she landed in the Blacklion squadron. The treatment that she received from the squadron team as well as her executive and commanding officer was abysmal. There is no doubt from her story that even more change is needed in the military regarding discrimination on the basis of sex.
However, this will not be the book that effectuates that change. The writing left much to be desired and the book’s organization made me feel as if I was on a ship in a hurricane. The tone runs the gamut of condescending and elitist, to immature and whining.
Johnson’s talk of her fingernail polish color, urinating on a jet and her decorating prowess aboard the USS George H.W. Bush may appeal to a young adult audience. But it will do little to change the way women are treated in the military, in fact just the opposite.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher St. Martin’s Press
Published November 5, 2019
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
⭐️⭐️
SUMMARY
A graduate of the United States Naval Academy goes on to become an F/A-18 Super Hornet Weapons System Officer. She was one of the first women to fly a combat mission over Iraq since 2011 and she was the first woman to drop bombs on ISIS. This coming-of-age book aims to inspire and attract the next generation of men and women to the military.
REVIEW
I appreciate the story CAROLINE JOHNSON is trying to tell. She was definitely dealt a bad hand of cards, when she landed in the Blacklion squadron. The treatment that she received from the squadron team as well as her executive and commanding officer was abysmal. There is no doubt from her story that even more change is needed in the military regarding discrimination on the basis of sex.
However, this will not be the book that effectuates that change. The writing left much to be desired and the book’s organization made me feel as if I was on a ship in a hurricane. The tone runs the gamut of condescending and elitist, to immature and whining.
Johnson’s talk of her fingernail polish color, urinating on a jet and her decorating prowess aboard the USS George H.W. Bush may appeal to a young adult audience. But it will do little to change the way women are treated in the military, in fact just the opposite.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher St. Martin’s Press
Published November 5, 2019
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
September 21, 2019
I found this to be fully engrossing and entertaining. It delivered Caroline Johnson’s story in wonderful style that was fun to read. Her story made me forget about everything else and I loved that it was so informative about the world of the Navy and the steps it took to become a pilot on the F/A-18 Super Hornet. I enjoyed reading all the details about the jets, procedures for flying, and everything to do with it, and the way this book was written it never got boring. I just kept wanting to read it long past my bedtime. Anyone with an interest in the Navy and/ or flying memoirs should check this out, it’s so good. One of my favorites this year. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Caroline Johnson, and the publisher.
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This was first published to my WordPress blog seen here:
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November 10, 2022“Even the most hardass, war-tested Navy SEALs think what we do is crazy. And when those guys think what you do is crazy, that’s saying something.” – U.S. Navy Reserve Lieutenant Commander “Dutch”, Caroline Johnson.Jet Girl: My Life in War, Peace, and the Cockpit of the Navy's Most Lethal Aircraft, the F/A-18 Super Hornetis my favorite biography about contemporary U.S. naval aviation. This well-written biography recounts Caroline Johnson’s military experience as a weapon systems officer (WSO) (nicknamed Wizzo). The WSO is a U.S. naval flight officer who occupies the rear seat of an aircraft such as the F/A-18F Super Hornet. The WSO is a modern-day version of the radar intercept officer (RIO), seen depicted in the movie, Top Gun, as the back seater in an F-14 Tomcat.
The author recounts her early navy career as a plebe at the United States Naval Academy to earning her navy wings of gold and finally serving with Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-213, the world-famous, FIGHTING BLACKLIONS, onboard the Nimitz-class supercarrier, USS George H.W. Bush. During the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan in 2014, while Johnson was deployed on the USS George H.W. Bush she flew a total of 42 combat missions over Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria and became the first woman to drop bombs on the Islamic State (ISIS).
Jet Girl is a fantastic read because it is exciting, funny, sad but most of all it is genuine. The author even has a great section on leadership. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in U.S. naval aviation and especially those who aspire to be an aviator in the U.S. Navy. Caroline Johnson is a true modern warrior and Jet Girl is her story. She was featured on WAI (Women in Aviation International) Authors Connect on March 10, 2021, reading from her book, Jet Girl: My Life in War, Peace, and the Cockpit of the Navy's Most Lethal Aircraft, the F/A-18 Super Hornet. -- Leslie G.
Watch the interview on YouTube
Find a copy at Scottsdale Public Library
November 25, 2019
Reviewed on: Ashes Books & Bobs.
Wow, Jet Girl was easily one of the most addictive memoirs I have ever had the experience of reading. I have greatly enjoyed reading military books, including Lone Survivor, American Sniper, and even American Wife by Taya Kyle. Interestingly, most of the military books I’ve read, including this one, have centered around the Navy. I find it fascinating to learn about life in the military and in war from first-person accounts, without the filter of the news making stories safer for our sensitive civilian ears. Jet Girl did that and eons more. I found this to be an extremely important and educational read!
There were so many fascinating elements to this memoir — simply being able to learn a bit what military pilots and weapons system officers do was incredibly enlightening. The amount of education required and the level of intelligence these people possess amazed me! This career path is not for the faint of heart and it makes me thankful a few special folks have the ability to withstand the mental and physical taxing it takes to sit in the cockpits of these jets.
One of the things I always find interesting about military books is just how much red tape our military has to cut through just to do their jobs. They can be over 8,000 miles away from Washington, but people behind their safe desks still are somehow in the backseat. Thinking about how much cruelty our military witnessed at the hands of ISIS, including mass-drownings, beheadings, and killings of children, but were powerless to stop it because someone in Washington didn’t authorize it astounds me.
My only real complaint about this book was the constant switching between the past and present. I think it would have benefitted the storytelling to have been in chronological order. There were also a few times of technical talk or military-speak that wasn’t exactly explained, which was confusing.
One reviewer mentioned this book wouldn’t do much for the treatment of women in the military, but I vehemently disagree. I think Caroline Johnson’s (and the rest of the Jet Girls) whole career was a pioneering endeavor that produced changes in the thoughts and actions of many men in the military. A few scenes reflected such injustice, that I was fuming right along with Caroline. I imagine toeing the line between being respectful, as the military demands, and fighting for change was extremely difficult in many cases throughout her career. The final scene in the epilogue showed that some are determined to make the military a place that is truly equal for women, however. Unfortunately, there were a few instances, still, that came across as slightly over-the-top in negativity or even whiny about her treatment. I haven’t lived in her shoes, though, so I can imagine even the smallest amounts of unfairness would eventually build into something much more difficult to tackle daily.
Overall, I found Jet Girl to be completely thought-provoking, interesting, and informational. I read the majority of this book in one sitting, which is quite uncommon for me when diving into Nonfiction. I think civilians should consider reading this book or others like it to understand and develop a real appreciation for what our service members do for our country and our freedom.
Wow, Jet Girl was easily one of the most addictive memoirs I have ever had the experience of reading. I have greatly enjoyed reading military books, including Lone Survivor, American Sniper, and even American Wife by Taya Kyle. Interestingly, most of the military books I’ve read, including this one, have centered around the Navy. I find it fascinating to learn about life in the military and in war from first-person accounts, without the filter of the news making stories safer for our sensitive civilian ears. Jet Girl did that and eons more. I found this to be an extremely important and educational read!
There were so many fascinating elements to this memoir — simply being able to learn a bit what military pilots and weapons system officers do was incredibly enlightening. The amount of education required and the level of intelligence these people possess amazed me! This career path is not for the faint of heart and it makes me thankful a few special folks have the ability to withstand the mental and physical taxing it takes to sit in the cockpits of these jets.
One of the things I always find interesting about military books is just how much red tape our military has to cut through just to do their jobs. They can be over 8,000 miles away from Washington, but people behind their safe desks still are somehow in the backseat. Thinking about how much cruelty our military witnessed at the hands of ISIS, including mass-drownings, beheadings, and killings of children, but were powerless to stop it because someone in Washington didn’t authorize it astounds me.
My only real complaint about this book was the constant switching between the past and present. I think it would have benefitted the storytelling to have been in chronological order. There were also a few times of technical talk or military-speak that wasn’t exactly explained, which was confusing.
One reviewer mentioned this book wouldn’t do much for the treatment of women in the military, but I vehemently disagree. I think Caroline Johnson’s (and the rest of the Jet Girls) whole career was a pioneering endeavor that produced changes in the thoughts and actions of many men in the military. A few scenes reflected such injustice, that I was fuming right along with Caroline. I imagine toeing the line between being respectful, as the military demands, and fighting for change was extremely difficult in many cases throughout her career. The final scene in the epilogue showed that some are determined to make the military a place that is truly equal for women, however. Unfortunately, there were a few instances, still, that came across as slightly over-the-top in negativity or even whiny about her treatment. I haven’t lived in her shoes, though, so I can imagine even the smallest amounts of unfairness would eventually build into something much more difficult to tackle daily.
Overall, I found Jet Girl to be completely thought-provoking, interesting, and informational. I read the majority of this book in one sitting, which is quite uncommon for me when diving into Nonfiction. I think civilians should consider reading this book or others like it to understand and develop a real appreciation for what our service members do for our country and our freedom.
October 23, 2022
Pier 14, Naval Station Norfolk, VA. February 13, 2014. Caroline Johnson’s JET GIRL: MY LIFE IN WAR,PEACE, AND THE COCKPIT OF THE NAVY’S MOST LETHAL AIRCRAFT, THE F/A-18 SUPER HORNET is the true story of the author’s love of aviation, her years which culminated to graduation from the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, to flight training in Pensacola, FL, to the USS George H. W. Bush super aircraft carrier (affectionately referred to as ‘Mother’) as WSO (Weapons Systems Officer) flying the F/A-18 Super Hornet into the war zone of Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. The author shows how 6 female aviators living in the Sharktank (their quarters on ‘Mother’) do their job among 5000 Naval personnel on ‘Mother’ while dealing with everyday ‘problems’ of life while being a member of the “elite group of women fighting our nation’s battles” in the air - these women Naval aviators. I found this book fascinating, mind-boggling, angering, but most of all, enlightening. I am so proud of these women and all female aviators for breaking into the male-dominated club while also
“fighting to win respect and make rank.” It is not even a little bit easy. I know as I was married to a Naval aviator, and I know what he and the others thought about these ‘newbies’, and it was not good - not nice at all! Go Jet Girls! Go all female aviators! 4.75 stars.
“fighting to win respect and make rank.” It is not even a little bit easy. I know as I was married to a Naval aviator, and I know what he and the others thought about these ‘newbies’, and it was not good - not nice at all! Go Jet Girls! Go all female aviators! 4.75 stars.
April 20, 2020
At first I was mildly annoyed at Caroline's insistence that even though she is an F-18 pilot on a giant aircraft carrier and has to be whip smart and tough as nails, she is still a girly girl who wears Princess Pink nail polish and polka dots socks and has a Ryan Gosling poster. (Ryan Gosling?I guess he's cute enough in a little boy sort of way. I never though of him as poster material), I mean that took me back to reading stories in Seventeen Magazine about "How I became a "girl" psychiatrist or lawyer or whatever. Then for a long time I thought that she, owing to her elite status, had escaped the disgusting levels of sexual harassment which continue to plague the Armed Forces, but nope, she didn't. Then I was hoping that she took these people on, and hopefully triumphed, but nope, she didn't, just suddenly throws out "and that's why I'm no longer in the Navy". So I went from thinking this whole thing might be a long Seventeen story, to being completely in awe of this woman, to wondering why we have to hear so much about her love life, to extreme frustration at the ultimate outcome. Overall I did enjoy reading it. but it's kind of all over the place.
November 5, 2019
Ever think of going jets?
The Blue Angels are literally flying past my window as I write this review. In Seattle it's SeaFair, an annual summer celebration which brings the Navy to town with perfect formation flybys. I've always loved watching jets scream past. There's something beautiful, scary, and impressive about the level of engineering and technical skill it takes to make a jet a jet. Johnson's memoir lets us timid readers see behind the curtain into a life I could never imagine.
Johnson's story has something for everyone to identify with: how hard work and perseverance can pay off, but also how horrible it feels to be singled out and alienated. I found myself making many connections between Johnson's experience to my own. It's hard to spend so much of your life in an environment that sees you as "other" and second guesses any success you achieve. But I haven't had anywhere near the stress or strain Johnson experienced while continuing to fight. She's a shining example of how to keep fighting, even if that fight means you need to change tactics. Adapt and survive.
If you're on the fence, just pick up the book and start reading. I guarantee you'll get sucked in and won't want to put it down. I found myself reading for hours, forgetting where I was, thinking I was on the ship with Caroline in the Sharktank. Johnson's writing isn't poetic or overly descriptive, but it's to the point and tells you exactly what she wants you to know.
"... a staggering 83 percent (four out of every five) of women in the fighter community get out at their first chance."
Now I'm going to watch Top Gun. Anyone working on a gender-swapped Top Gun movie? If not, they should. Images of successful women are important, especially in the military.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Message/Argument: 5 stars + 2 bonus stars because it's about jets
Prose/Language: 3 stars
https://readingbetweenthestitches.wor...
The Blue Angels are literally flying past my window as I write this review. In Seattle it's SeaFair, an annual summer celebration which brings the Navy to town with perfect formation flybys. I've always loved watching jets scream past. There's something beautiful, scary, and impressive about the level of engineering and technical skill it takes to make a jet a jet. Johnson's memoir lets us timid readers see behind the curtain into a life I could never imagine.
Johnson's story has something for everyone to identify with: how hard work and perseverance can pay off, but also how horrible it feels to be singled out and alienated. I found myself making many connections between Johnson's experience to my own. It's hard to spend so much of your life in an environment that sees you as "other" and second guesses any success you achieve. But I haven't had anywhere near the stress or strain Johnson experienced while continuing to fight. She's a shining example of how to keep fighting, even if that fight means you need to change tactics. Adapt and survive.
If you're on the fence, just pick up the book and start reading. I guarantee you'll get sucked in and won't want to put it down. I found myself reading for hours, forgetting where I was, thinking I was on the ship with Caroline in the Sharktank. Johnson's writing isn't poetic or overly descriptive, but it's to the point and tells you exactly what she wants you to know.
"... a staggering 83 percent (four out of every five) of women in the fighter community get out at their first chance."
Now I'm going to watch Top Gun. Anyone working on a gender-swapped Top Gun movie? If not, they should. Images of successful women are important, especially in the military.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Message/Argument: 5 stars + 2 bonus stars because it's about jets
Prose/Language: 3 stars
https://readingbetweenthestitches.wor...
April 29, 2024
I'm keen on 'the girl done good' tale and I respect the girl for achieving all she has. When playing with the boys and unfortunately we all still are, you don't wear pink socks and pink sweatbands. You play by their rules. When one of the boys wears pink socks, it's a giggle. It ain't when you do it. If you're that intent on playing with the boys, learn the rules before you do and don't go off on some rant about how life could be so much sweeter.
To be a jet girl, you'll need to be brighter than the average Jane.
I've been playing with the boys for years. I don 't do make-up. I don't do nail varnish. I don't wear pink. And, I drink pints of Guinness. Those are the rules. They're not my rules, but I'd rather be accepted by the boys and not go out of my way to attract attention. Maybe that's why I'm still playing with the boys.
The girl done good - she could've done far better.
To be a jet girl, you'll need to be brighter than the average Jane.
I've been playing with the boys for years. I don 't do make-up. I don't do nail varnish. I don't wear pink. And, I drink pints of Guinness. Those are the rules. They're not my rules, but I'd rather be accepted by the boys and not go out of my way to attract attention. Maybe that's why I'm still playing with the boys.
The girl done good - she could've done far better.
February 21, 2020
This review is going to be split in two aspects. The first is on Caroline Johnson, the person. The second is on the story itself.
Caroline Johnson is an absolutely phenomenal woman. What she has achieved and accomplished in her life is nothing short of amazing. She has broken down walls, barriers and glass ceilings that women didn't think they would ever see the other side of. She is a hero to be admired. A woman to be respected. Someone that little girls everywhere should be proud to look up to as an example of what they can become, that literally the sky is the limit of who they can be. The evils she bravely stares down to protect this country should be honored. From that aspect, Caroline Johnson gets 10 plus stars!!!
Where this book falls short for me is the telling of her story. I didn't like the structure of the book, it was very jumbled going back and forth between timelines and choppy in the manner it was written. I wanted more feeling, more emotion and not just in the form of 'what color her nails were painted'. Caroline Johnson has an incredible story but that didn't translate right onto the pages. Too much of the book was overly technical or detail driven. At times I felt like I was reading a flight manual or a textbook from the Naval Academy versus someone's life story. The other aspect that didn't sit well with me was I felt she was trying to overly impress how much of a "girlie girl" she is given her job. I can appreciate that she is a minority on the ship and most definitely in her role with the Navy. I don't feel that makes her any less woman or female than a woman in a more traditional female oriented job.
Had the story been translated better and more cohesively, this would definitely be a book I would recommend. I would like to end by saying again that Caroline Johnson is an incredible woman and I am grateful for her service to this country.
My thanks to Caroline Johnson, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Caroline Johnson is an absolutely phenomenal woman. What she has achieved and accomplished in her life is nothing short of amazing. She has broken down walls, barriers and glass ceilings that women didn't think they would ever see the other side of. She is a hero to be admired. A woman to be respected. Someone that little girls everywhere should be proud to look up to as an example of what they can become, that literally the sky is the limit of who they can be. The evils she bravely stares down to protect this country should be honored. From that aspect, Caroline Johnson gets 10 plus stars!!!
Where this book falls short for me is the telling of her story. I didn't like the structure of the book, it was very jumbled going back and forth between timelines and choppy in the manner it was written. I wanted more feeling, more emotion and not just in the form of 'what color her nails were painted'. Caroline Johnson has an incredible story but that didn't translate right onto the pages. Too much of the book was overly technical or detail driven. At times I felt like I was reading a flight manual or a textbook from the Naval Academy versus someone's life story. The other aspect that didn't sit well with me was I felt she was trying to overly impress how much of a "girlie girl" she is given her job. I can appreciate that she is a minority on the ship and most definitely in her role with the Navy. I don't feel that makes her any less woman or female than a woman in a more traditional female oriented job.
Had the story been translated better and more cohesively, this would definitely be a book I would recommend. I would like to end by saying again that Caroline Johnson is an incredible woman and I am grateful for her service to this country.
My thanks to Caroline Johnson, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2023
This was a good book for female Naval officers or really any anyone interested in the challenges that some women in the Navy face, specifically within aviation and the fighter community. I felt that Caroline really pushed her feminine characteristics like always having nail polish or pictures of Ryan Gosling but then I realized that this was a comfort to her while being surrounded by men everyday. I think Caroline did a lot of good work for the Navy but question the intentions of the book. I think it could’ve been written in a more enlightening way rather than a rant sesh
June 8, 2020
I received an advance digital copy of this book from the author, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley.com. Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This is, in short, an amazing book. Ms. Johnson's sharing her experiences in the U.S. Navy are smart, moving and eye opening. She broke ground for other female pilots and has the scars to prove it. A must read.
Thank you for your service, Ms. Johnson, and thank you for writing this book!
5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended.
This is, in short, an amazing book. Ms. Johnson's sharing her experiences in the U.S. Navy are smart, moving and eye opening. She broke ground for other female pilots and has the scars to prove it. A must read.
Thank you for your service, Ms. Johnson, and thank you for writing this book!
5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended.
October 30, 2019
This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As someone whose knowledge of the US Navy consists of futuristic space military novels, I clearly went into this book with no preconceived notions of such a career, aside from the assumption that Caroline would experience the same double standards and pressures placed on women in any traditionally gendered work environment.
At first, it seemed like this was not the case. The first half of the book is very optimistic, almost as if, aside from working her ass off, Caroline had no real obstacles to hurdle. Though it was by no means incessant, there is a lot of talk about how feminine she really is, despite her profession, with mention of nail polish, shopping, and other stereotypical female interests (as well as a long-winded explanation of how hard it is to pee in a cockpit). So around 50% I started making notes about how this book was a little bit fluffy, lacked tension, and I wasn’t sure what the point was.
Then I hit the midpoint. Honestly, everything that takes place in the first half, including the non-chronological order of the chapters (which feel fragmented) made sense by 75%. Caroline has set it up in this way to prime us for her big reveal, which (while not surprising) is a tender and deeply frustrating account of her treatment in the military by her peers. Frankly, I think she couldn’t start the novel focusing on this, because we all know what happens when women speak out in media – a small (but weighty) contingent of butt-hurt dudes come rushing in to crush it to the ground with overly negative reviews. I mean, heaven forbid we criticize old ways of doing things that privilege one group over another! Starting the book off as pleasant and rather didactic felt like a political choice to me. I do think if the book followed a chronological order it might have built the tension better, but it’s not a novel – it’s an autobiography.
She slowly builds on her ostracization by her squad, much in the way it would happen in real life. Ostracization, harassment, and gender-based discrimination are worse for her on the job than in training, which surprised me; I would have thought training would have been the hard part. Instead, this book shows not only why we need more women in the military, but in other male-dominated fields. This crap doesn’t just happen in the military, but police stations, firehouses, construction, law firms … granted, it’s likely getting better, but “old boys’ clubs” still pervade and women (and minorities) often don’t speak up because they are afraid of further persecution. This type of sexism is bad for everyone – men suffer under toxic masculinity that makes them believe a successful woman in a threat to them personally, and women must compete with one another rather than cooperate. Caroline shows how deep this tragic mentality runs.
This important facet aside, the book is not all about that! It has many more aspects that make it worth reading as well. She writes with casual, easy prose that is part leadership book and part memoir. She provides explanations to those of us (myself especially) who know nothing about the field. She brings in her romantic relationships to a very minimal extent, which helps round her out but not take over the real story. And her descriptions of being in the jets are very exciting.
Now, I’m not someone who blindly agrees with the US meddling in other wars, but I’m also from Canada, so I’m not part of the cultural milieu Caroline is (most likely) writing for. If you’re someone who is staunchly anti-war (or anti-military spending), you might find this book frustrating, but I doubt you’d pick it up anyway.
Before I hit the halfway point, I was debating whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars, but since finishing it, my estimation has risen. And since I can’t give the novel 4.5 on this site or NetGalley, I’m bumping it to 5. You go, Caroline.
As someone whose knowledge of the US Navy consists of futuristic space military novels, I clearly went into this book with no preconceived notions of such a career, aside from the assumption that Caroline would experience the same double standards and pressures placed on women in any traditionally gendered work environment.
At first, it seemed like this was not the case. The first half of the book is very optimistic, almost as if, aside from working her ass off, Caroline had no real obstacles to hurdle. Though it was by no means incessant, there is a lot of talk about how feminine she really is, despite her profession, with mention of nail polish, shopping, and other stereotypical female interests (as well as a long-winded explanation of how hard it is to pee in a cockpit). So around 50% I started making notes about how this book was a little bit fluffy, lacked tension, and I wasn’t sure what the point was.
Then I hit the midpoint. Honestly, everything that takes place in the first half, including the non-chronological order of the chapters (which feel fragmented) made sense by 75%. Caroline has set it up in this way to prime us for her big reveal, which (while not surprising) is a tender and deeply frustrating account of her treatment in the military by her peers. Frankly, I think she couldn’t start the novel focusing on this, because we all know what happens when women speak out in media – a small (but weighty) contingent of butt-hurt dudes come rushing in to crush it to the ground with overly negative reviews. I mean, heaven forbid we criticize old ways of doing things that privilege one group over another! Starting the book off as pleasant and rather didactic felt like a political choice to me. I do think if the book followed a chronological order it might have built the tension better, but it’s not a novel – it’s an autobiography.
She slowly builds on her ostracization by her squad, much in the way it would happen in real life. Ostracization, harassment, and gender-based discrimination are worse for her on the job than in training, which surprised me; I would have thought training would have been the hard part. Instead, this book shows not only why we need more women in the military, but in other male-dominated fields. This crap doesn’t just happen in the military, but police stations, firehouses, construction, law firms … granted, it’s likely getting better, but “old boys’ clubs” still pervade and women (and minorities) often don’t speak up because they are afraid of further persecution. This type of sexism is bad for everyone – men suffer under toxic masculinity that makes them believe a successful woman in a threat to them personally, and women must compete with one another rather than cooperate. Caroline shows how deep this tragic mentality runs.
This important facet aside, the book is not all about that! It has many more aspects that make it worth reading as well. She writes with casual, easy prose that is part leadership book and part memoir. She provides explanations to those of us (myself especially) who know nothing about the field. She brings in her romantic relationships to a very minimal extent, which helps round her out but not take over the real story. And her descriptions of being in the jets are very exciting.
Now, I’m not someone who blindly agrees with the US meddling in other wars, but I’m also from Canada, so I’m not part of the cultural milieu Caroline is (most likely) writing for. If you’re someone who is staunchly anti-war (or anti-military spending), you might find this book frustrating, but I doubt you’d pick it up anyway.
Before I hit the halfway point, I was debating whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars, but since finishing it, my estimation has risen. And since I can’t give the novel 4.5 on this site or NetGalley, I’m bumping it to 5. You go, Caroline.
July 24, 2019
“My Life in War, Peace, and the Cockpit of the Navy’s Most Lethal Aircraft, the F/A-18 Super Hornet” reads the subtitle of this powerful memoir by a young American hero. She truly believed the sky was not the limit, but the start of her dream job, serving her country.
For all her extraordinary skills and accomplishments, she presents herself as a down-to-earth, fun young woman. Her openness and eager enthusiasm makes for an engaging and relatable story. Except very few people could relate to what she’s accomplished- succeeding at every goal she set for herself in a demanding environment.
Her story begins in June, 2005, when she enters the United States Naval Academy. Every few chapters, the story skips a few years, switching to the times encompassing her training, and her years on active duty. This time sequence was easy to follow, but a chronological progression of her story would have been just as effective.
When Caroline Johnson graduated from the Navy Academy, she entered the rigorous flight school training and then was selected to join the prestigious Blacklion squadron. She deployed on the USS George H.W. Bush to Afghanistan and Iraq for 9 months. This is a massive warship, over 1,000 feet long, with 90 airplanes and helicopters. She was the Weapon Systems Officer and flew in the Super Hornet. Her descriptions of this plane that can go 500 mph, as she took off and landed on the ship-Tailhook!-and as she flew over the Taliban and ISIS are incredibly exciting.
Author Johnson shares the everyday details of her life, contrasted with detailed military stories, which gives us a broad picture of what it was like for her during school, training and deployments. Many of her school and training experiences were arduous and difficult and took great focus and determination. She was very driven to succeed, she always aimed to be #1, yet she she also enjoyed hanging with her girl friends.
She was fully committed to her mission and believed that the evil of ISIS had to be stopped. However, when she returned home, she experienced a difficult time. She gives us much to think about as to how the military can better support women and I commend her for doing her part to make improvements.
I always try to thank military members when I see them, and I thank Caroline Johnson for her dedicated and committed performance and for sharing her military life in a book that is even more exciting than Top Gun.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a digital review copy. This is my honest review.
For all her extraordinary skills and accomplishments, she presents herself as a down-to-earth, fun young woman. Her openness and eager enthusiasm makes for an engaging and relatable story. Except very few people could relate to what she’s accomplished- succeeding at every goal she set for herself in a demanding environment.
Her story begins in June, 2005, when she enters the United States Naval Academy. Every few chapters, the story skips a few years, switching to the times encompassing her training, and her years on active duty. This time sequence was easy to follow, but a chronological progression of her story would have been just as effective.
When Caroline Johnson graduated from the Navy Academy, she entered the rigorous flight school training and then was selected to join the prestigious Blacklion squadron. She deployed on the USS George H.W. Bush to Afghanistan and Iraq for 9 months. This is a massive warship, over 1,000 feet long, with 90 airplanes and helicopters. She was the Weapon Systems Officer and flew in the Super Hornet. Her descriptions of this plane that can go 500 mph, as she took off and landed on the ship-Tailhook!-and as she flew over the Taliban and ISIS are incredibly exciting.
Author Johnson shares the everyday details of her life, contrasted with detailed military stories, which gives us a broad picture of what it was like for her during school, training and deployments. Many of her school and training experiences were arduous and difficult and took great focus and determination. She was very driven to succeed, she always aimed to be #1, yet she she also enjoyed hanging with her girl friends.
She was fully committed to her mission and believed that the evil of ISIS had to be stopped. However, when she returned home, she experienced a difficult time. She gives us much to think about as to how the military can better support women and I commend her for doing her part to make improvements.
I always try to thank military members when I see them, and I thank Caroline Johnson for her dedicated and committed performance and for sharing her military life in a book that is even more exciting than Top Gun.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a digital review copy. This is my honest review.
July 25, 2019
Wow. Jet Girl by Caroline Johnson blew me away. This is such a well written memoir that I never put down unless I absolutely had to. I wanted to read the whole book in one sitting. Johnson has a fascinating story that deserved to be told and she did a great job telling it. Here is a story that shows what it is like to be one of the few women in male-dominated fields and the struggles that come with that. It also shows that even your dream jobs can be less than dreamy in the wrong environment. While I flew through the first three quarters of the book, she last quarter had a completely different tone that slowed me down because it was so heart-breaking. While Johnson describes the struggles of mistreatment throughout the whole book, the last part of the book really showcases the consequences such treatment can have. I am thankful that she told her story, appreciate what she does for this country, and really hope that the changes she suggested are being made to make opportunities equally available no matter who you are.
November 5, 2019
Alternating between her time in the Naval Academy and later flight school to her deployment, Caroline Johnson gives readers a glimpse at the rigorous mental and physical training that all pilots undergo with special emphasis on those that fly jets.
Overall, this is a necessary start to a long-overdue conversation with the next generation of service members regarding equal treatment and opportunities for minorities in the U.S. military, with an emphasis on women. While Caroline’s story is limited to her time within the Navy, the issues discussed are hardly limited to this branch of the military and even extends into the civilian world as well. I hope Caroline continues to advocate for changes in leadership as she continues on her journey in the private sector. Maybe one day we will all serve or work under exceptional leaders like Admiral Bullet.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Overall, this is a necessary start to a long-overdue conversation with the next generation of service members regarding equal treatment and opportunities for minorities in the U.S. military, with an emphasis on women. While Caroline’s story is limited to her time within the Navy, the issues discussed are hardly limited to this branch of the military and even extends into the civilian world as well. I hope Caroline continues to advocate for changes in leadership as she continues on her journey in the private sector. Maybe one day we will all serve or work under exceptional leaders like Admiral Bullet.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 22, 2019
*I was given an advanced copy of this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was fast-paced, engaging, and dealt with personal and professional topics pretty equally. Some of the more jargon-laced chapters about maneuvers and missions could get complicated and/or confusing but it never distracted from my enjoyment of Johnson's narration. She writes honestly and to the point and has a very clear and distinct voice that I appreciated. It felt personal and sincere, like she was telling you a casual story over dinner, rather than reading it from a book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was fast-paced, engaging, and dealt with personal and professional topics pretty equally. Some of the more jargon-laced chapters about maneuvers and missions could get complicated and/or confusing but it never distracted from my enjoyment of Johnson's narration. She writes honestly and to the point and has a very clear and distinct voice that I appreciated. It felt personal and sincere, like she was telling you a casual story over dinner, rather than reading it from a book.
April 6, 2022
Huge fan of this book! It was interesting to see what ladies still have to go through.
August 29, 2019
(I received a copy of Jet Girl from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.)
I’ve had a long-standing fascination with military aircraft, and in particularly, fighter jets, which has in turn extended to an interest in the people who fly them and the mentality that it takes to be a military pilot. I don’t naturally gravitate towards biographies or memoirs – especially not when I don’t even know anything about the subject – but Jet Girl caught my eye and I ended up requesting it out of sheer curiosity.
Caroline Johnson is a fascinating woman – she made the decision to join the U.S. Navy, go through pilot training and flew F/A-18 Super Hornets in the Middle East. I have absolutely nothing in common with her, but reading her path from her first day at the naval academy to the day she dropped bombs on ISIS terrorists in Iraq to the days when she questioned her place in the Navy were so vividly retold that it felt like I was there.
Told through a series of almost-vignettes, moving backwards and forwards in time to weave her story, the format took a few chapters to get used to but once that happened I was deeply invested. It’s clear the Johnson had some fantastic experiences… and also some disappointing, and even devastating ones, during her time as a pilot.
She shares tiny details that I never would have even thought of, from decorating the room she shared with the other female pilots (Jet Girls) on the carrier they called home, to how women go to the toilet in the cockpit – which she could have been in for anywhere between 2-8 hours at a time – and the continued isolation of women in the military. She talks about shore leave, her mentors (good and bad), the rigorous training she underwent to become the best the Navy had to offer, and the mental strain that military personnel are under constantly.
I did find that the ending seemed a little abrupt, but it did leave off on a definite point for discussion – how does the Navy support and encourage the change in mentality to wards women in the military. That conversation wasn’t really unpacked (mostly because it was the most recent part of Johnson’s story and, likely, is still in progress) but besides that the rest of the book was just fascinating.
I’m very glad that I finally read Jet Girl.
I’ve had a long-standing fascination with military aircraft, and in particularly, fighter jets, which has in turn extended to an interest in the people who fly them and the mentality that it takes to be a military pilot. I don’t naturally gravitate towards biographies or memoirs – especially not when I don’t even know anything about the subject – but Jet Girl caught my eye and I ended up requesting it out of sheer curiosity.
Caroline Johnson is a fascinating woman – she made the decision to join the U.S. Navy, go through pilot training and flew F/A-18 Super Hornets in the Middle East. I have absolutely nothing in common with her, but reading her path from her first day at the naval academy to the day she dropped bombs on ISIS terrorists in Iraq to the days when she questioned her place in the Navy were so vividly retold that it felt like I was there.
Told through a series of almost-vignettes, moving backwards and forwards in time to weave her story, the format took a few chapters to get used to but once that happened I was deeply invested. It’s clear the Johnson had some fantastic experiences… and also some disappointing, and even devastating ones, during her time as a pilot.
She shares tiny details that I never would have even thought of, from decorating the room she shared with the other female pilots (Jet Girls) on the carrier they called home, to how women go to the toilet in the cockpit – which she could have been in for anywhere between 2-8 hours at a time – and the continued isolation of women in the military. She talks about shore leave, her mentors (good and bad), the rigorous training she underwent to become the best the Navy had to offer, and the mental strain that military personnel are under constantly.
I did find that the ending seemed a little abrupt, but it did leave off on a definite point for discussion – how does the Navy support and encourage the change in mentality to wards women in the military. That conversation wasn’t really unpacked (mostly because it was the most recent part of Johnson’s story and, likely, is still in progress) but besides that the rest of the book was just fascinating.
I’m very glad that I finally read Jet Girl.
January 28, 2023
I’d like to preface my review by stating that I admire Caroline Johnson for her intelligence and drive in her zealous pursuit to be the best NFO. Finishing number one in primaries and advanced is a testament to her perseverance and that is why I give the book two stars. Unfortunately, the writing in the book was laughable. It failed to capture the gravity of the situation— being the first squadron to use lethal force against ISIS— and instead read like a work of fiction with the tone of a YA novel. Not only that, but her overly exaggerated displays of femininity reenforced stereotypes about women that female pioneers have had to overcome. I sympathize her unfortunate relationships with her squadron-mates but I often questioned if it was a battle of the sexes or a situation with a clash of personalities seeing as her female counterparts did not experience the same mistreatments. Regardless, the writing in the book was an injustice to her hard work and did not set her up in a favorable lighting. I am disappointed because she had the potential to be an admirable protagonist (except for the last chapter) rather than just annoying.
April 10, 2021
Diese Autobiographie habe ich als Hörbuch gehört - von der Autorin selbst gelesen. Schon von Anfang an mochte ich ihre Stimme und je mehr sie erzählte, desto mehr wuchs auch meine Bewunderung für Caroline Johnson selbst.
Die Jetpilotin erzählt frei von der Leber weg und lässt dabei auch eher unangenehme Themen (urinieren während des Fliegens, z.B.) nicht weg. Ihr Ton ist angenehm, nie übertrieben. So erhält man als Zuhörer bzw. Leser einen eindrücklichen Blick in die Welt der amerikanischen Marine.
Erfolge, Verluste, Sexismus - mit all dem wird Johnson auf ihrem Weg konfrontiert. An all dem lässt sie uns teilhaben. Manchmal musste ich schmunzeln, manchmal war ich berührt und oft auch entsetzt darüber, was die Autorin alles erlebt.
Dennoch staune ich darüber, wie sehr sich Caroline Johnson für ihren Traumberuf einsetzt, dafür schuftet und kämpft. Dieses Leben wäre absolut nichts für mich. Umso mehr wünsche ich der Autorin weiterhin viel Erfolg auf ihrem Lebensweg und Daumen hoch!
Die Jetpilotin erzählt frei von der Leber weg und lässt dabei auch eher unangenehme Themen (urinieren während des Fliegens, z.B.) nicht weg. Ihr Ton ist angenehm, nie übertrieben. So erhält man als Zuhörer bzw. Leser einen eindrücklichen Blick in die Welt der amerikanischen Marine.
Erfolge, Verluste, Sexismus - mit all dem wird Johnson auf ihrem Weg konfrontiert. An all dem lässt sie uns teilhaben. Manchmal musste ich schmunzeln, manchmal war ich berührt und oft auch entsetzt darüber, was die Autorin alles erlebt.
Dennoch staune ich darüber, wie sehr sich Caroline Johnson für ihren Traumberuf einsetzt, dafür schuftet und kämpft. Dieses Leben wäre absolut nichts für mich. Umso mehr wünsche ich der Autorin weiterhin viel Erfolg auf ihrem Lebensweg und Daumen hoch!
August 1, 2023
Jet Girl was a realistic and inspirational memoir of a women who became an F/A-18 Weapons Systems Officer and was selected by an elite Jet Crew, The Black Lions in 2012. She dropped a bomb over Iraq and describes her training, life with 5 other women in a small room they call the "shark tank" while on a carrier, and the experience of flying - even the experience of having to urinate while midair. She also tells about the excitement and joys of flying and fighting and dropping bombs on the enemy.
What I liked about the book is that she also describes the challenges she faced as a female in a profession that is mostly male. She describes a "hail and bail" party where she is first thought of a one of the wives. When the wives realize that she is in fact, one of the naval fliers, they cold shoulder her because they realize she will be with their husbands while they are at home. And the men don't accept her either. She describes the depression she experiences and the way she was iced out and sidelined. She finally left and became a leader in the Naval Academy. She also describes an affair she had with "Buck" and how it helped her heal- and to understand the wives who felt threatened- with good reason.
There was something special about this book. I felt I really understood the author and I was able to live her life vicariously as I read the book. She seemed human- heroic in her own way, but not in the way of other memoirs and novels where something doesn't seem real.
What I liked about the book is that she also describes the challenges she faced as a female in a profession that is mostly male. She describes a "hail and bail" party where she is first thought of a one of the wives. When the wives realize that she is in fact, one of the naval fliers, they cold shoulder her because they realize she will be with their husbands while they are at home. And the men don't accept her either. She describes the depression she experiences and the way she was iced out and sidelined. She finally left and became a leader in the Naval Academy. She also describes an affair she had with "Buck" and how it helped her heal- and to understand the wives who felt threatened- with good reason.
There was something special about this book. I felt I really understood the author and I was able to live her life vicariously as I read the book. She seemed human- heroic in her own way, but not in the way of other memoirs and novels where something doesn't seem real.
February 3, 2023
The back and forth timeline was somewhat hard to follow and the writing wasn't all that great BUT her story is fantastic, she didn't romanticize the military or war, and she left me with hope for the future. What more could you want from a memoir? Plus, I love the Super Hornet and feel pretty great about the job I get to do everyday to keep jets in the sky.
January 10, 2020
This book is an insider's look at the military establishment, particularly the elite Navy forces. Johnson overcomes so much to become a fighter pilot only to be alienated by the Navy's most elite squadron. Told with honesty, Johnson's grit is something to be admired.
November 5, 2019
Learn first hand how a woman, who dreamed of flying jets, actually made it. Hear her, see her. She will teach you what it's like to be one of the few females flying. What she faced both in the air and on land. Yes, this is a true story.
Caroline is an incredible woman. She sets goals for herself and strives.
Pick up a copy and learn what it's like to fly over enemy land and drop bombs. Feel the repercussions. This life is a challenge but it is for our country. Have you read a book that brings this together? Here it is.
Caroline, thank you for writing this book. I wish you the best in all you do.
Caroline is an incredible woman. She sets goals for herself and strives.
Pick up a copy and learn what it's like to fly over enemy land and drop bombs. Feel the repercussions. This life is a challenge but it is for our country. Have you read a book that brings this together? Here it is.
Caroline, thank you for writing this book. I wish you the best in all you do.
March 13, 2020
My review is in the works.
It will be a positive review though ☺
It will be a positive review though ☺
November 10, 2025
Ever since I watch Seal Team TV Show, my interest grow in learning the stories of those heroes. And yes it’s a great story coz it’s a woman’s achievement and a a talented pilot who raised through the ranks.
Her suffering through the ranks helped her overcome a lot and I like how she went and took what she learned to shape the next generation.
Maybe one day men will accept women being amongst them and performing as good as them if not better.
Her suffering through the ranks helped her overcome a lot and I like how she went and took what she learned to shape the next generation.
Maybe one day men will accept women being amongst them and performing as good as them if not better.
October 12, 2019
Review of ‘Jet Girl’ by Caroline Johnson.
First and foremost I want to thank @jetgirlusa for sharing her story. Secondly, I would like to thank @stmartinspress @netgalley for the ARC.
👩🏻✈️
I loved this book and highly recommend for so many reasons: the book does a great job explaining life in the military, it highlights the hardships, emphasizes the importance of acceptance and friendship, and showcases the negative effects of harassment in the workplace. This book is relevant to 2019 and I’m sure many women (military or not) will be able to relate to the themes of sexism, gender roles, exclusion, and bullying. 👩🏻✈️
Having been in the military I can attest to the boys club mentality from only my slanted point of view. I will say that I was readily accepted into one squadron but I didn’t feel fully accepted in others. I always assumed it was just me, but reading Caroline’s story I realized it was probably the culture from the time period I served. 👩🏻✈️
Regardless, Jet Girl is a book of empowerment. Of women standing up for each other. For women to look out for one another. Be present, be aware, be there (my words y’all). As women, it’s our time to shine but in order to do so, we need to support one another. 👩🏻✈️
My favorite part of the entire book was learning about Navy call signs and peeing in a cockpit. 👩🏻✈️
#jetgirlusa #jetgirlbook #netgalley #stmartinspress #carolinejohnson #badassfemales #advancereadercopy #novemberrelease #goodreads #2019readingchallenge #justread #kindlepaperwhite #womeninthemilitary
First and foremost I want to thank @jetgirlusa for sharing her story. Secondly, I would like to thank @stmartinspress @netgalley for the ARC.
👩🏻✈️
I loved this book and highly recommend for so many reasons: the book does a great job explaining life in the military, it highlights the hardships, emphasizes the importance of acceptance and friendship, and showcases the negative effects of harassment in the workplace. This book is relevant to 2019 and I’m sure many women (military or not) will be able to relate to the themes of sexism, gender roles, exclusion, and bullying. 👩🏻✈️
Having been in the military I can attest to the boys club mentality from only my slanted point of view. I will say that I was readily accepted into one squadron but I didn’t feel fully accepted in others. I always assumed it was just me, but reading Caroline’s story I realized it was probably the culture from the time period I served. 👩🏻✈️
Regardless, Jet Girl is a book of empowerment. Of women standing up for each other. For women to look out for one another. Be present, be aware, be there (my words y’all). As women, it’s our time to shine but in order to do so, we need to support one another. 👩🏻✈️
My favorite part of the entire book was learning about Navy call signs and peeing in a cockpit. 👩🏻✈️
#jetgirlusa #jetgirlbook #netgalley #stmartinspress #carolinejohnson #badassfemales #advancereadercopy #novemberrelease #goodreads #2019readingchallenge #justread #kindlepaperwhite #womeninthemilitary
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