In recognition of National Mentoring Month this January, we're highlighting how people in first responder professions can make an impact by mentoring young members of the community.

What is National Mentoring Month?

Since 2002, National Mentoring Month has been hosted each January by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership in partnership with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. MENTOR is on a mission to "fuel the quality and quantity of mentoring relationships for America's young people and to close the mentoring gap for the one in three young people growing up without this critical support."

The campaign's mission is to raise awareness around the value of high-quality mentoring experiences, particularly for young people. Caring adult mentors have the power to help mentees make responsible decisions and carve out a path for themselves in their communities and future careers.

This year, the chosen theme is Mentoring Amplifies. The month-long observance amplifies the positive impact mentoring can have, and how such experiences can amplify potential, confidence, connections and more for young mentees.

Mentors help tomorrow's leaders lay a solid foundation for the future

According to the National Mentoring Month organizers, young people who have a mentor are 55% more likely to enroll in college, 78% more likely to volunteer in their local communities and 130% more likely to take on leadership positions.

Being able to connect with a committed mentor gives the leaders of the future opportunities to discover new career fields and possibilities. They can also discuss their aspirations and benefit from a support system outside of their school and household.

Real-world heroes can make a difference in young peoples' lives

Many children look up to firefighters, police officers and emergency medical professionals as real-life superheroes. Some even dream about joining these professions when they grow up. As these little dreamers mature into young adults, first responders can make a meaningful and tangible impact through mentorship.

They can talk about and demonstrate the values of helping others and serving the community. They can help young people learn about qualities like courage and selflessness as well as valuable skills like leadership and teamwork.

A glimpse at first responder mentoring in action

The First Responders Explorer Post #58 of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, is just one example of how first responder agencies can add value to the community through mentorship programs.

In partnership with the local school district and Boy Scouts troop, members of the Quakertown police and fire departments and emergency medicine technicians (EMTs) give high school students real-world exposure to each of these three professions. Participants are invited to climb fire truck ladders, view K9 unit demonstrations, tour 911 call centers and forensic labs and listen in on how real calls are received and how EMT teams, firefighters and police officers dispatched.

As explained by the Department of Justice's Community Policing Dispatch newsletter, this experience gives participants in the mentoring program a look at the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of these departments. Students can cultivate critical thinking and emergency response skills to apply in their own lives. Plus, it helps the mentees understand the difference between the first responders portrayed on TV and the realities of the job and the people who fill these critical roles.

The benefits of mentoring aren't just for kids

Mentoring young people can have a significant impact on the adults who participate in such programs as well. Supporting and encouraging a mentee can bring a sense of personal fulfillment and accomplishment, especially when it's clear the impact those hours and interactions have had on the mentee.

Furthermore, becoming a mentor — whether through a local initiative or a national mentoring organization — opens the door to the wider mentoring community. Connecting with like-minded people who are excited about making a difference in young peoples' lives can be a positive side effect.

Finally, these experiences can also leave mentors more open-minded and empathetic, with a new perspective of the world as seen through their mentee's eyes. Just a few hours per week can make a major difference for both the first responders and the young people they work with.

The start of a new year can be a meaningful moment to set intentions and goals that will help make the coming year even better than the last. For many people, this involves resolving to make small changes that can add up to major improvements in various aspects of life, including financial health.

Getting rid of debt, increasing savings or financing a major purchase are all worthwhile new year's resolutions. But setting goals is often the simple part — sticking to them can be more of a challenge, especially in turbulent times.

With that in mind, here are three strategies for how to keep your financial resolutions for 2021.

Quantify your financial goals and action items

Setting vague goals will make it difficult to recognize any progress you're making. Plus, this can make simple goals seem overwhelming and out of reach. Instead, translate your overarching desires into tangible and measurable goals. From there, you can determine what actionable steps you'll need to take to tackle those goals.

For example, instead of resolving to "save more money," you could commit to automatically transferring $100 into your savings account each week.

Or, rather than saying you'll "get rid of credit card debt," you could make a more detailed plan. If you have an outstanding balance of $4,200 and you want to pay this off in six months, you could resolve to make monthly payments of $700.

Setting this kind of realistic plan in place will help you stay on track, plus it will be all the more motivating.

Set milestones for long-term financial achievements

Not all financial goals can be taken care of in just a few months or even a few years. Some — like paying off student loans or a mortgage — can take decades of dedicated effort and attention. When you're in it for the long haul, it's important to take the time to recognize the smaller triumphs along the way.

You could create a simple spreadsheet that forecasts how much progress you'll make every month this year, next year and beyond. Pinpoint milestones along the way, like each time you get another $5,000 closer to your overall goal. This way, you can visualize exactly when you might hit these milestones.

When that time comes, go ahead and pat yourself on the back. You could reward yourself with a little treat of some sort, or just take a moment to reflect on how far you've come. This type of incremental positive reinforcement can help you feel like you're on the right path. Additionally, you'll see the value in making slow and steady momentum toward long-term financial changes, which can inspire you to take on even bigger challenges.

Make money management a daily habit

If you want to keep your financial resolutions, you'll need to carve out time in your schedule to attend to your personal finances. Set aside a little time — maybe 20 minutes every other day, or an hour every weekend — to check in with your goals and track your incremental progress.

If you manage your finances jointly with a partner, use that time to get on the same page. Update each other about any recent or upcoming transactions, and celebrate the small wins. If you fell short of savings goals or overspent your discretionary budget, acknowledge the misstep and find ways to break those everyday habits that are holding you back.

Knowing how to make and stick to realistic resolutions for managing your personal finances is not an easy prospect. So, if you're working on setting financial resolutions for 2021, you already have the right mindset. With some dedicated planning and time, you'll be well on your way to financial health and prosperity.

In early December 2020, the Department of Defense (DOD) announced that New Jersey-based construction firm Dobco, Inc. had been chosen to build the new Cyber and Engineering Academic Center (CEAC) at the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) at West Point.

Here's a look at the design and bid process for this major project and the timeline for its completion — as well as the emphasis on cyber engineering skills at West Point and the importance of this field to the military overall.

Award-winning design by Jacobs-EwingCole joint venture

Architecture firms Jacobs and EwingCole joined forces in designing the innovative CEAC building. As EwingCole noted, "it was conceived with an eye towards innovation, collaboration, and the tradition and history of West Point Academy simultaneously."

The CEAC will support scholarship and hands-on experience in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and provide space for cadets across three departments:

• Civil and Mechanical Engineering.
• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
• Systems Engineering.

As a solution to academic space shortages and outdated facilities at West Point, the CEAC will include 59 flexible laboratory spaces designed to support interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. These facilities will support project-based learning within the USMC's cyber, robotics, biomechanics, systems design and infrastructure specialties.

The building will be crowned with a rooftop colloquium space for hosting notable speakers, with views of the Hudson River. There will also be an enclosed pedestrian bridge connecting the CEAC to Mahan Hall across the street. Underground parking facilities for up to 450 vehicles will be added as well.

The Jacobs-EwingCole JV design was chosen for the Society of American Military Engineers' 2020 Planning, Design and Studies Merit Award.

$137.8M bid awarded to build this 136,000-square-foot space

Bids were requested online in June 2020, and the DOD noted that four firms responded. The project falls under the purview of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in New York City, and the firm-fixed-price contract was awarded at $137,836,600 to Dobco, Inc.

The state-of-the-art facility will add 136,000 square feet of STEM learning and teaching space to the USMC campus. To prepare the site, 300,000 cubic yards of granite must be carefully removed without disturbing the surrounding academic buildings and barracks.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Dec. 11, 2020 — just one week after the bid was awarded. The project is slated for completion by December 2024, and is expected to support the attraction of new talent to West Point over the next several years.

The importance of STEM education for the battlefields of the future

In an increasingly digital era that presents many new and yet unknown vulnerabilities, the Army and the nation must be prepared with cutting-edge technological skills.

According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' request for proposals, the CEAC will play a critical role in "enabling USMA Cadets to experiment and develop new and emerging technologies that will enable the United States Military to remain at the technological forefront of new battlefields, both physical and digital."

"The facility will profoundly and positively impact our mission to develop our graduates who will lead with character in a changing, uncertain and technology-driven world," said Brig. Gen. Cindy Jebb, Dean of the Academic Board, when CEAC broke ground. "We are thrilled that it will serve to attract quality talent across cadets, faculty and staff in an increasingly competitive higher ed landscape."

Around the country, the holiday season is looking different than it has in years past. Up and down shopping districts, the gift-buying rush is tempered by social distancing measures and capacity limits for small retailers. Droves of consumers have chosen to place orders from ecommerce retailers instead, overwhelming delivery service providers. Families and friends are opting for smaller, more intimate gatherings over large celebrations.

However, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it's not quite so easy for first responder families to wait in line or shop online at their leisure. That's why the First Responder Children's Foundation has launched a Toy Express program to send more than 250,000 free gifts and face masks to children of emergency response workers.

Supporting first responder families through difficult holiday seasons

The First Responders Children's Foundation was established after 9/11, when hundreds of families were faced with the prospect of celebrating Thanksgiving after losing a loved one in the line of duty. The organization arranged a Thanksgiving Day Parade Breakfast for more than 800 children and family members.

As the foundation explains, this "began an annual tradition of welcoming devastated first responder families into a supportive environment to face the challenges of the start of a holiday season without a loved one."

This year, as countless first responders work tirelessly on the front lines of the pandemic, the First Responders Children's Foundation aims to add some comfort and joy to what's sure to be a difficult holiday season.

"Toy Express will help make a happy holiday for the children of our first responders which include nurses, firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics, medical personnel and 911 dispatchers." said the organization's president, Jillian Crane, in a news release. "Our first responders are on the frontlines of the pandemic, and they continue to risk their own health every day in selfless service to their local communities across the country."

More than $1 million worth of toys donated

Although large in-person gatherings are not feasible this year, the First Responders Children's Foundation is still spreading holiday cheer to first responder families. It's all happening through partnerships with toy brands, mask manufacturers, logistics companies and families around the country who have made a donation.

The foundation's Toy Express is fueled by a donation of more than $1 million worth of toys from Mattel, including 5,000 American Girl Dolls, plus products from beloved Mattel brands like Hot Wheels, Barbie dolls and Mega Bloks. Other partners helping provide gifts and masks include Toys for Tots, Hess Toy Truck, Jakks Pacific, MaskUSA.com and Good360.

Logistics and transportation companies including CSX and Total Quality Logistics are also backing the program and helping ensure that the donated toys and masks quickly make their way to children around the country.

Toy Express to distribute gifts across more than 80 cities

The organization is spreading generosity and holiday cheer across 84 cities, partnering with local businesses and community organizers. For instance, in Saugerties, New York, more than 800 bags of toys, along with wrapping paper and donated food items, were passed out to first responder families.

"It wasn't just one or two gifts […] — each child received a bag of toys," said Macy Siracusano, vice president of Sawyer Motors, a business that partnered with the foundation to bring the Toy Express to local families. While children of all ages were welcome, "the intention of this was to help the parents for Christmas morning," Siracusano told a local news outlet.

"I think the way everyone was happy and appreciative, that's what makes it all worthwhile," she added. "It makes us want to do it again and again and again."

Members of the public who are interested in contributing to the toy drive or supporting the nonprofit can visit 1stRCF.org or text "TOY" to 24365.

So you're making your list and checking it twice — but you're still stumped on holiday gift ideas for the military servicemembers in your life. Not to worry! We've put together a roundup of seven military-friendly finds your loved ones will enjoy.

1. Handmade challenge coin display

Throughout their military career, your loved one may have collected quite a few challenge coins. What better way to celebrate their accomplishments than to gift them a handsome challenge coin display. From small desk decorations to large wall displays, browsing the selection of handcrafted challenge coin displays on Etsy will show that there are many different ways for the person on your list to showcase their one-of-a-kind collection.

2. Personalized stationery kit

This is a chance to put together a festive gift basket that's functional, too. In your stationery kit, you can include nice-quality letters and envelopes, as well as a set of USPS stamps honoring military working dogs. You can also customize return address labels with your loved one's location and their branch's official emblem. Consider adding in a rugged military-ready pen, or a more formal writing utensil engraved with a special message. Whenever there's something to write home about, the military servicemember in your life will appreciate the convenience of having everything they need all in one place.

3. Tough tumbler and coffee from a veteran-owned brand

A hot cup of joe can help warm up even the coldest, earliest morning. Pick up a bag of coffee grounds from a veteran-owned and operated coffee company. Popular brands include Victory Coffee, founded by a former Navy SEAL, or Black Rifle Coffee Company, established by an Army Special Forces veteran. Pair that with a durable coffee tumbler and your gift is all set for sipping — just add water!

4. Custom military ring

If you're looking for an extra special holiday gift idea for the military servicemember in your life this year, consider ordering a personalized military ring. Whatever branch they serve in, you can find a corresponding ring style and customize the design with the decorative detailing, gemstone and precious metal of your choice. Military rings can even be engraved with a name, date or other meaningful inscription. The one you choose is sure to become are modern family heirloom, cherished for years to come.

5. Military travel guide

Satisfy your servicemember's wanderlust by gifting them a 2021 military travel guide. Options include guides of popular destinations around the U.S., top camping spots and even overseas travel options. This kind of guide book can be helpful for servicemembers and military families who want to make the most of their free time. With all the planning in place thanks to your gift, they can embark on an exciting adventure as soon as it's safe to do so next year.

6. Tablet with durable case

A tablet can be a great, multipurpose piece of technology for a servicemeber on active duty. It's an all-in-one tool that's useful for getting work done on the go, joining video chats with friends and family, winding down with an e-book and everything in between. The larger screen size makes a tablet a nice alternative to a smartphone for a little less eye strain, and the compact size makes it even more portable than a laptop. There are plenty of popular tablets on the market. Whichever you choose, pair it with a rugged case and screen protector to keep it protected in all environments.

7. Tactical socks

Combat boot blisters are no joke. Since the military servicemember on your gift list spends long hours on foot, a pair of comfy, cozy socks will surely bring a smile to their face. Compare some of the best boot socks for the military and you're sure to find a perfect fit.

In its never-ending mission to improve cybersecurity best practices, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) published an interim rule in September 2020 on its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). The CMMC rule creates a framework for the DOD to more effectively assess the cybersecurity implementation of government defense contractors. The CMMC will also enhance the protection of unclassified information within the DOD supply chain.

Because of these new requirements, prime contractors and subcontractors need to become third-party certified by Nov. 30, 2020, if they wish to continue doing business with the DOD.

"[An] estimated 7,500 companies will be certified in 2021," said Katie Arrington, chief information security officer in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. "That doesn't seem like a lot but if you think about the interconnectivity of the [defense industrial base] it's a certification that's good for all DOD contracts for three years."

While the full roll-out of CMMC will take place over the course of five years, contractors need to start moving forward with getting certified quickly.

Breaking down CMMC best practices

The CMMC interim rule falls under the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clause 252.204-7012, Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting. The clause requires contractors and subcontractors to implement the 110 security controls set forth in National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-171 on "any information system that processes, stores or transmits Controlled Unclassified Information."

The new rule creates a new NIST SP 800-171 Assessment requirement for DOD procurement contracts awarded after Nov. 30 that exceed $10,000. The NIST Framework is segmented into five buckets, or functions: identify, protect, detect, respond and recover.

Even following a successful assessment, certification and authentication process, contractors must keep reviewing and logging activities for rapid detection. Maintaining compliance will involve continuous system monitoring and regularly upgrading necessary safeguards to protect against malicious IPs, coordinated cyberattacks and common web exploits.

Depending on the type of work being contracted, organizations will need to meet varying levels of security requirements, listed as Levels 1 through 5. Level 1 is the least stringent while Level 5 is the most strict: 

• Level 1: Performed. This is where documentation of practices begins.
• Level 2: Documented. With documentation in place for all levels, draft a policy that covers all activities.
• Level 3: Managed. A plan exists to cover all activities, which is maintained and resourced.
• Level 4: Reviewed. Activities are reviewed and measured for effectiveness, with the results of the review shared with higher level management.
• Level 5: Optimized. Following the review and measurement, a standardized document approach is implemented across all applicable organizational units.

In each level, all practices must be documented, including those that fall under lower levels.

For this certification, DOD defines "activities" as the organization's mission, goals, project plans, resourcing strategy, training needs and the involvement of relevant stakeholders. The practice progression lists Level 1 companies as having basic cyber hygiene, Level 2 with intermediate cyber hygiene, Level 3 with good cyber hygiene, Level 4 as proactive and Level 5 as advanced and progressive with their cybersecurity practices.

For those federal contractors looking to maintain their government defense contracts, it would be wise to invest in visibility, protection and rapid detection technologies. Contractors and subcontractors can review the associated Federal Register page to find out additional information about this new interim rule, such as expected cost impact.

Around the world on Nov. 25, first responders, humanitarian aid groups and activists come together in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. An important part of this observance is raising awareness about actions that perpetuate violence against women and girls. One of these is human trafficking.

First responders play a vital role in identifying, protecting and supporting human trafficking victims. Let's examine what first responders can do to help stop human trafficking.

Who are the victims?

Due to the illegality of human trafficking, it's difficult to get an accurate number of the number of victims impacted, although experts estimate that between 18,000 and 20,000 people are trafficked into the U.S. each year.

While human trafficking can impact anyone, regardless of age, race, gender identity, sex, ethnicity, nationality, immigration status or socioeconomic class, women are the most common victims. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported that 71% of human trafficking victims are women and girls, while around 33% are children.

Identifying the signs and alerting authorities

People working on the front lines, such as law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or hospital staff, are in a unique position to be able to identify these instances and report them to the proper authorities.

For example, the Department of Homeland Security created the Blue Campaign, an initiative that aims to foster collaboration between first responders and non-government and government entities.

The Blue Campaign noted that, since human trafficking often hides in plain sight, it's important to know how to recognize the signs of a potential victim. While many people might associate trafficking with the sex trade, victims are also forced to work in private residences, on farms, in the hospitality industry and in the health and beauty services industry.

Some red flags to watch for include, but are not limited to:

• Work conditions: A victim of human trafficking may be experiencing verbal or physical abuse from a boss, working excessively with minimum or no pay or living where they work. They might also be forced into illegal work, such as fraudulent activities or commercial sex acts against their will.
• Behavior: A victim may act fearful, agitated, nervous or anxious around a particular person. They might defer answers to this person, or let the other person speak for them.
• Physical state: In addition, a human trafficking victim might show signs of physical or sexual abuse, such as bruises, cuts and other injuries they may not explain. They might also appear malnourished, sleep deprived, lacking medical care or living without essential personal possessions.

Conversely, some signs of a potential trafficking offender include, but are not limited to:

• Restrictions: A trafficker might place severe restrictions and limitations on the actions, movements and personal time of the person they have trafficked. For instance, they might prevent this individual from seeing family or friends, disallow access to a telephone or social media or stopping them from going to their regular work or school.
• Threats: A human trafficking offender might make threatening statements to a victim or constantly keep the victim under a watchful eye.
• Unsafe housing: A trafficker might house their victims in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. This also includes housing a large group of people in one place with poor conditions and limited space.

No single one of these examples represents definitive proof of human trafficking, but these are often common indicators that it is happening. If one of these signs does show up during an ambulance ride, hospital visit or emergency response call, it's important that first responders take a moment to ask follow-up questions and survey the situation more carefully.

If, after more scrutiny, you suspect someone is a victim or a perpetrator of human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline to connect with services and support or to make a report.

A career of service that resonates with our core markets

ALEXANDRIA, Va – The Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) and its affiliate, 5Star Life Insurance Company, announced today the appointment of Major General Augustus L. “Leon” Collins, USA (Ret.) to the 5Star Life Board of Directors, effective December 1, 2020.

“It is our pleasure to welcome Leon Collins to the 5Star Life Board of Directors. His proven leadership and decades of service to this great nation make him an outstanding addition to our Board”, said General Ed Eberhart, USAF (Ret.), Chair of AFBA and 5Star Life.

General Larry O. Spencer, USAF (Ret.) President of AFBA and 5Star Life, added, “The service and protection we provide for our military members, first responders, and civilians who serve our country will be enhanced with General Collins as a member of the Board.”

General Collins retired after more than 30 years of military service as the Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard in 2016. His Army career included command of the 155th Brigade Combat Team, a force of more than 4,500 servicemembers in The Iraqi Theater of Operations. Collins currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of MICACT, Inc, a job training, development, and management company in Jackson, MS.

About Armed Forces Benefit Association
With the support of the General of the Army, Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) was established in 1947 in the basement of the Pentagon to ease the strain on military members and their families who, at the time, could not purchase life insurance that would pay a death benefit if the member was killed in combat. Today, headquartered in Alexandria, VA, AFBA continues to honor its mission, in war and peace, promoting the welfare of its members providing death benefits and other benefits to those who serve this great nation, including members of the uniformed services, first responders, government employees, and their families. AFBA has over 650,000 members with $40 billion of death benefits in force and has paid nearly $2 billion of death benefits since inception. AFBA death benefits are underwritten by its affiliate, 5Star Life Insurance Company (a Lincoln, Nebraska domiciled company).

About 5Star Life
5Star Life Insurance Company (5Star Life) is the primary underwriter of the Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) member policies. In addition, it extends the enterprise’s mission to civilians serving our country in the workplace. As a growing provider of group and worksite voluntary products, 5Star Life serves a diverse clientele as an insurance provider to individuals and organizations and as a trusted advisor to brokers. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, 5Star Life is currently licensed in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.

The U.S. Armed Forces continue to push technological innovation while boosting inclusion for all of its brave servicemembers. One recent example of this is how women jet fighter pilots may have a better-fitting and safer G-force suit available in the near future.

The Air Force announced the testing of a modified version of the Advanced Technology Anti-Gravity Suit (ATAGS) by five female fighter pilots in late October 2020. This is good news for the more than 800 female pilots and approximately 580 women serving as navigators or air battle managers.

Design problems with the current ATAGS

ATAGS, sometimes referred to as G-suits or anti-G suits, are worn by fighter pilots to protect them from the extremely high G-force exerted on their bodies during flights. Without these protections in place, pilots would be susceptible to losing consciousness or suffering hypoxia (a lack of oxygen to tissue cells) during maneuvers in fighter aircrafts.

One such protection includes an inflatable bladder that pushes blood toward the wearer's torso and exerts pressure on their lungs. This prevents a pilot from blacking out from the acceleration that can cause blood to pool in the bottom half of the body. 

Up until now, pilots used a version of the ATAGS that was designed in 2001 and used body specs taken from pilots in the 1960s. This means the suits were designed primarily for male bodies. Further, due to the nature of the suits' protections, they are not easy to adjust for a better fit, let alone adjust to a completely different body type. This means shorter pilots with smaller frames don't receive the full protections from the current design of the suits, such as proper performance of the waist bladder.

How the suits were redesigned

The new ATAGS design stems from the joint effort between the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) and AFWERX, a U.S. Air Force program that fosters a culture of innovation within the service, according to a U.S. Air Force news release.

The redesign addressed two key areas. The first modification includes wider lacing panels at the waist, thigh and calf. This will allow for more adjustments to accommodate a greater variety of body proportions. The second big change is that the suit now comes with a darted waist. This tailored waist design does not interfere with the inflatable waist bladder but allows for a better fit.

"In the past, some pilots with a shorter torso have had issues with ATAGS that were too large riding up and causing bruising on the rib cages, while pilots who are hard-to-fit may have had one size that fits through the legs, but need a smaller size in the waist," said Charles Cruze, an AFLCMC Human Systems Division engineer. "Now, the waist can be darted up to 3.75 inches, allowing for a more custom and accurate fit, preventing both of those issues."

Results of the new design's tests

After testing and evaluating the new suits with five pilots and one aircrew member, the results came back with overwhelming praise for the redesign.

Capt. Brittany Trimble, an F-16 Fighting Falcon instructor pilot, relayed her positive experience testing the modified ATAGS in the announcement. "I definitely noticed improvement with the new updates and the darted waist in particular," said Trimble.

Following this positive review, the 46th Test Squadron will next draft a test report on its findings. While the modified flight suit is not yet approved, the current acquisition strategy could put the updated ATAGS into use within 12 to 24 months.

This is a great step forward for the Air Force, and just one of many new improvements for ensuring the safety of its female service members.