
After 36 years in the Air Force, Monica Brown is looking forward to her next adventure – whatever it may be.
Brown recently retired and was honored by her peers at a special ceremony at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, where she served as Military Personnel Flight Chief for the 403d Force Support Squadron. She attained the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. And as the Destrehan High School alum and New Sarpy native looks to what’s next, she’ll never forget what she’s leaving behind.
“I’ve been doing this for most of my adult life … I enlisted at 18,” Brown said. “So, here I am now and it’s like where do I want to go? What do I want to do?
“I can tell you, what I’ll miss the most are those people and those memories of service. Learning from some amazing people, teaching them as well … they made my retirement ceremony so special. I’m in awe of how much they loved me and how much I loved them.”
The ceremony paid tribute to Brown’s contributions and career over the past 36 years of military service – with a little something extra celebrating her home ties, via a purple and gold Mardi Gras theme.
When Brown enlisted in 1988, she had no plans for this to be a long-term situation for her.
“It was not my intent at all,” Brown said. “I wanted to do a four-year enlistment and then get out.”
After her four years, she was done with active duty, but she quickly began to feel like something was missing from her life.
“I missed being a part of something that was bigger than me,” Brown said.
She transitioned into the Air Force Reserve, where she began a civil service career.
Brown has held a myriad of positions within the personnel career field and held special duty assignments in the fields of recruiting and career assistance advisor. Her major awards and decorations include Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Medal with six oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Air and Space Longevity Service Award with three oak leaf clusters and Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two-hour glasses.
She was responsible for the strategic planning, training and overall operations of the 403d military personnel flight encompassing traditional reservists and active guard reserve members.
“I enlisted because I needed direction,” Brown said. “I needed discipline. I wasn’t ready to go right off to college … this is the thing for me.
“I’ve always had something to do while I was serving … helping airmen, helping with deploy. It was a whirlwind. I’m figuring out what to do with my time now that it’s over.”
Thiry-six years, she said, “just kind of happened.”
“As time progressed, I realized it’s not about just me anymore. It’s about benefiting others, pouring into our community, developing leadership skills … things you not only use in the military but in everyday life,” Brown said.
During her retirement ceremony, Colonel Costau C. Bastien gave Brown and her family some memorable parting words.
“He told my family that you gave her to us for 36 years,” Brown said. “A long, long time. Now, it’s time for us to give her back to you so she can serve you.”
And indeed, while her future is wide open now, family will be the primary focus, Brown said.
She added the military added so many positives to her life, and can for others as well.
“Sometimes, with the generation we have coming up now, you don’t see the discipline or structure,” Brown said. “One thing I truly know is that the military made me the person that I am.”