Air Force Officer Wins Miss America

By
Russ Niles
-
Published:
82

A 22-year-old Air Force officer who may become an Air Force pilot has become the first active duty member to win the Miss America pageant. 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh, Miss Colorado, earned the national title Sunday in Orlando and drew heavily on her private pilot training and four years at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs to win the competition. She has been selected for pilot training but is currently enrolled in public policy studies at the Harvard Kennedy School. For the talent portion of the competition, she did a spoken word presentation on making her first solo flight at age 16.

As one of the Air Force Academy’s pilot candidates, she got a familiarization flight in an F-16 and an Air Force camera crew was there to capture it. The flying footage from the Air Force video has been widely used in mainstream media and she’s been inaccurately described as an Air Force pilot and a fighter pilot.

Russ Niles
Russ Niles
http://www.avweb.com
Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.

82 COMMENTS

  2. Well, she could be _a_ Madison Marsh. There seems to be quite a few young ladies that age with that name, but the photo doesn’t really look like any of the MM’s that won the pageant.

  5. I was worried that the quality of Avweb articles would deteriorate after Flying Media took over. First Paul B. left, and now editors using AI photos. Are AI articles next?

  7. The photomanip’ed/sweetened/genericized facial features are similar to what can be seen on dating website profiles. This does not look like the Madison Marsh who won the title nor who appears in USAF photos.

  10. We seem to be well past the point where we can believe anything we see online and/or in any form of media. I’m not certain there is a workable solution. It’s easy to say “more education”, but as a retired public school and university teacher, I know extent of our failures in that venue and it isn’t getting any better.

    • And we all now know that Plane & Pilot Magazine now too is part and parcel of the FLYING INC conglomerate over the AVweb.

    • Why is this even being reported? Because the quality and dignity of journalism, if you want to all it journalism at AvWeb has taken the deepest dive possible at darkest reaches of the craft.

      • Oh, get real, John. Given all the controversy about inclusion and diversity a story like this comes along and we’re not supposed to cover it? Even without all that distasteful discourse, this is just a remarkable accomplishment for a young woman who happens to be a pilot and has a shot at something most of us could never achieve. The story was perfect for us.
        Russ

  16. So, somehow a familiarization flight was trumped up into fighter pilot??
    Not directed at Russ but reporting these days is just trash.

  18. Well, whatever she looks like, congratulations on her Pageant accomplishments and a big congrats on her aviation enthusiasm and and apparent entry now into USAF UPT.

  19. OTHER media outlets were reporting she had was a pilot at 16. I think they didn’t understand that’s too young; it likely shoulda said started flying at 16 or solo’ed at 16? C’mon guys … Avweb does a good job overall … one faux pas and you’re all ready to hang ’em. Meeting deadlines and assembling web pages takes time; mistakes will occur. Just in a few moments this AM, the pic was corrected.

    • Since a first-solo’ing person must have a student pilot certificate, they technically are a “pilot” on their first solo. So, the media outets were technically correct, but for the wrong reason.

      *WE* know that there’s a difference between “student pilot” and “private pilot”, but the media doesn’t know the distinction between the two, and the average non-pilot probably wouldn’t know the difference either, since to them, both of those people are doing the flying entirely by themselves without any assistance.

  20. I don’t CARE whether she is Miss America or not–the issue is accurate reporting. Most of us subscribe to magazines or read online to stay up with what’s happening in the industry–NOT to be voyeurs for “pilot pin-ups.”

    I’ve been a Flying subscriber since 1963, and a subscriber to Plane & Pilot, B/CA, and most of the magazines in the “FLYING, Inc.” conglomerate for nearly as long–and have nearly 4 tons of back issues (verified in a recent move). I didn’t like the FLYING takeover of the aviation publishing industry–I read the different magazines for their content AND their different views on the content–not to get the same material from a homogenized and “pasteurized for your protection” conglomerate. The industry is the poorer for it–I’ll gladly subscribe to content from “the next Bertorelli” to offset the “saccharin sweetness” of this aeronautical pablum.

    Flying Media has over-reached. and lost reader respect. (post script: I won’t be considering buying into the associated and ever-present advertisements for “The Fields”, either)

    • I agree with your comments on “Flying” Media 100%. I doubt if I’ll ever have an urge to subscribe to any of their paid entities. At present AvWeb is enough. I liked Kitplanes for a good long while but I’m waiting to see what happens over there.

    • And yet here you are Jim. You too have been at this a long time and errors happen. We fix them, apologize and move on. BTW, the only message I’ve ever received from the new owners is that we want to improve and do better at everything we do. As one of the frontline carriers of that message, it’s what I’m trying to do every day. Maybe have a look at the important stories we’ve broken over the last few days for some perspective on that.
      Russ

      • To all the flying media group trash talkers, I would suggest that you be careful what you wish for. Aviation journalism has always been a tough way to make money. Specialist publications and websites are dying everywhere, so having someone step up and put his money where his mouth is IMHO a good thing. The alternative is either nothing or junk news from media influencers.

        Russ, thanks for fighting the good fight. The AvWeb site is my first stop for aviation news, especially for GA specific material.

        • “Aviation journalism has always been a tough way to make money.”

          Yet Flying magazine has survived for 97 years (so far).

          Air Progress has been around since 1937–87 years.

          Aviation Week (and Space Technology) has been around since 1911–113 years–only 8 years since the first powered flight.

      • So–FLYING Media buys up all of the leading aviation magazines–and then asks us to believe they will CHANGE THEM AND MAKE THEM BETTER???

        Good investors “buy and hold”. They may improve distribution and markets, but why would anybody buy the already-leading publications, and then vow to “change” the very qualities that made them the leaders in the industry, which attracted the investment in the first place? HOW has that worked out in any OTHER industry?

      • From Russ–“BTW, the only message I’ve ever received from the new owners is that we want to improve and do better at everything we do.”

        And once again, that’s my point. They bought up the industry leading publications–and now they want to “improve” them–if that’s the measure of SUCCESS–they’ve failed miserably.

        Does anyone remember “New Coke”–where they sought to “improve” on the leader of an industry?

        SOMETIMES–it’s better to buy a successful product–then the new owner should look at how that product could be leveraged to make the REST of their products look better. Sorry to say, that hasn’t happened with FLYING MEDIA.

  21. With respect to the picture….that’s the same picture the Air Force released via it’s X account.
    Maybe the critics need to get their facts right before they find justification for a narrative that sounds a lot like “Elvis shakes his hips too much.”

    • Thanks, Scott. I chose that photo (clearly labeled as her) because it didn’t make her look like a beauty queen or an F-16 pilot, one of which she is and one of which she isn’t. The age thing is entirely my fault and has been fixed. I’m also going to swap the photo with her grad photo from the academy.

  22. Now that the pic has been corrected, I’ll add my congratulations to Madison Marsh, 2024 Miss America with the laudable day job of protecting US citizens.

  23. While you propeller heads are losing it over an age reference for a ppl, keep in mind you can solo a glider at 14 and get your ppl – glider at 16.

    • Which is more believable, cute 16 year old girls getting a pilot’s certificate in gliders only or just another typo on AvWeb? (Hint: they just corrected that in the story too).

    • That’s a GREAT point, jfphelan. The USAF Academy DOES have a pretty substantial glider program for the Cadets. I helped them with one of their powered TG-7A motorgliders in the 80’s while at Edwards AFB. I had to go there to get trained up in the thing before we flight tested them so … I guess she could have been a glider “pilot” at 16.

  25. Correct me I’m wrong. Has there now been three pictures published here of the Air Force Miss America within the last four hours?

    • You are correct. I used the first photo because it didn’t show her as just a beauty queen and it also didn’t suggest she was an F-16 pilot. I live out West so I was blissfully unaware of the issue gripping the nation about the photo I picked, which, by the way was clearly captioned as being Madison Marsh. My colleague Mark Phelps stepped in and used the photo released by the Air Force, which I thought was misleading so I switched it to her Academy grad photo. Fun morning so far.

  27. Sorry Russ. Some days it just doesn’t pay to hit the “Send” button. At any rate, I congratulate Ms Marsh on her accomplishment.

  28. For some in the gallery, aviation and beauty queens rarely mingle. But not for 2nd. Lt. Madison Marsh. This young lady embodies both aviation excellence and public appeal, soaring high as a pilot and charming audiences as the first active-duty Air Force officer to win the Miss America crown. Living Legends of Aviation, forget Harry, bring in Queen “Butter Bars”.

  29. From the 99s: Since the post about 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh being crowned Miss America has brought a few negative comments, it would be good to copy some of her accomplishments as listed by the USAF.

    Currently working on her Master’s degree at Harvard
    National Truman Scholar
    2-time National Astronaut Scholar
    8-time USAFA Dean’s List
    3-time USAFA Superintendent’s List
    NASA Intern
    National Rhodes Scholar Finalist
    Certified Private Pilot
    Awarded Pilot as Official Air Force Career
    Miss America Colorado
    Black Belt in Taekwondo

    • I have trouble seeing how being Miss America benefits the Air Force or the taxpayers who are still paying for her education and paying her salary and benefits.

      • I would think that 2nd. Lt. Marsh’s recognition as a member of the USAF and America’s beauty queen benefits the Air Force through positive public image, increased recruitment appeal, enhanced public relations, and even diplomatic impact. Her dual roles provide opportunities for cultural exchange, inspiration, and philanthropy, contributing to the USAF’s visibility, morale, and community engagement.

        • That’s EXACTLY why the USAF lets over achievers’ garner some of the limelight … to highlight both the high standards that they expect AND the achievements of those who are allowed to serve in the USAF. The USAF Academy is the premier finishing school for Air Force officers; anyone who stands out there IS the creme’ de la creme’. She serves not only as a poster ‘child’ highlighting same but as a motivator for others. As a USAF retiree, I’m mentoring a young man right now that I see as a potential USAFA aspirant. He has those same traits. Recruitment standards are pretty high; only about 25% of youths meet the standards. So when someone like Lt Marsh comes along … why not use her as a recruitment tool. Same reason the USAF brings their front-line airplanes to Airventure … if you want pilots … go where pilots hang out.

  30. Very well-spoken and said, Raf! In both your comments here regarding 2nd Lt. Marsh and for listing her accomplishments, in both education and in aviation sectors.
    She will, as we both know and as anyone that has served in the MIL, that there are protocols and regs through officially posted AF Instructions (AFI’s) to follow in an endeavor such as this and rest assured the AF will be watching her actions like a hawk.
    See AFI 36-704

    And Russ, keep up the good faith efforts!

    • You just never know where it’s going to come from, Frank. I never would have thought a story like this could spawn this sort of venom. Weird.

      • It isn’t that the AvWeb forum mantra? Grab any story and either politicize the crap out of it or make egregious assumptions that are completely unrelated to the story? That’s been my experience these last few years. And I clicked on the article on purpose anticipating the circus in the comments and it didn’t disappoint- I am sorry for that and I feel badly for Russ and team as they’re just trying to do their jobs – let’s cut all of us some slack, right?

  31. Raf said it well for me also, so I’ll take the taxpayer angle and say what better use of taxpayer dollars could be found than a direct investment in the best of us, for all of us, to show to the world the essence of what truly makes our country great!

    And your fine reporting counteracts the predictable venom just fine, Russ, as does Mark and Amelia, too.

  32. RAF nailed it–TWICE! He listed her accomplishments (see below)

    From the 99s: Since the post about 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh being crowned Miss America has brought a few negative comments, it would be good to copy some of her accomplishments as listed by the USAF.

    Currently working on her Master’s degree at Harvard
    National Truman Scholar
    2-time National Astronaut Scholar
    8-time USAFA Dean’s List
    3-time USAFA Superintendent’s List
    NASA Intern
    National Rhodes Scholar Finalist
    Certified Private Pilot
    Awarded Pilot as Official Air Force Career
    Miss America Colorado
    Black Belt in Taekwondo

    He then listed the benefits to the Air Force:

    “I would think that 2nd. Lt. Marsh’s recognition as a member of the USAF and America’s beauty queen benefits the Air Force through positive public image, increased recruitment appeal, enhanced public relations, and even diplomatic impact. Her dual roles provide opportunities for cultural exchange, inspiration, and philanthropy, contributing to the USAF’s visibility, morale, and community engagement.”

    THAT was certainly more Germane to the subject than the actual article–no pandering, and no need for editorial “corrections”, backpedaling, or “clarifications.”

    I have no problems with her title, or how she got there, or her future plans–(in fact, I applaud her for setting goals and achieving them!) but the reportage on this was the very worst I’ve seen on AvWeb–it HAS to get better than this if AvWeb is to retain or regain its former position as a neutral observer and publisher of aviation activity. I believe that most followers of AvWeb would have to agree that “this was NOT their ‘finest hour”–given the number of acknowledged changes and retractions. It doesn’t reflect well on the “New FLYING” empire!

    • Wow, Jim. We’ve made much bigger and more consequential errors than the single mistake we acknowledged and fixed in this story. I’ve been responsible for many of them. They reflect on me alone, Jim.
      Russ

      • Thanks for acknowledging and fixing the errors.

        One wonders–had readers not called attention to it, would the multiple changes have been made? We DEPEND on AvWeb to get the story right.

        As many parents have told their children over the years, “It’s for your own good.” For a journalist, accuracy, insight, and credibility are all you have to sell.

        No need to “fall on your sword”–readers are only asking “don’t make that mistake again.”

        • Don’t include this reader in your precious finger-pointing sensitivity.

          AVweb doesn’t owe you or anyone a damn thing other than to write and present information as they see fit. All of the authors have always recognized and corrected any mistakes or misinformation quickly and responsibly.

          Not good enough for you? I’ve got big-boy, grown-up news ‘for your own good’ – Peace depends on all of us accepting that the world doesn’t exist to mirror our preferences or validate our prejudices.

          Go to Burger King if you insist on ‘having it your own way,’ have a nice meal, return home and simply remove AVweb from your favorites. Start your own aviation news webpage and show us all how it’s really done. Until then…

          • “Don’t include this reader in your precious finger-pointing sensitivity.” Were these multiple mistakes NOT made?

            “AVweb doesn’t owe you or anyone a damn thing other than to write and present information as they see fit. ”
            News media DOES owe readers accurate reporting. They failed at it–THEN acknowledged it when the inaccuracies were disclosed–and now vilify those who reported the errors. (by the way, I didn’t read the error chain until after OTHERS reported it). To AvWeb’s credit, they did make the multiple changes to correct the story.

            “Peace depends on all of us accepting that the world doesn’t exist to mirror our preferences or validate our prejudices.” There is no “preference”–only EXPECTATION of accurate and unbiased reporting from a “news” organization. AvWeb set a high standard for unbiased and accurate aviation reportage–and I think that all involved would not call this their “finest hour.”

            Once confidence in a product or organization has been lost, it is hard to get it back–here’s wishing AvWeb the best–we NEED unbiased and accurate reporting.

        • Pretty high bar, Jim, one that no one can reach, I’m afraid. I’ve made a few more mistakes since then, more serious than this one in my opinion. I can’t offer you the solution you seem to want but I will promise you that we will try to meet that goal in everything we write and every time we screw something up we’ll fix it as soon as we know about it.
          Russ

  33. Well Jim. You’ve spoken your mind. So now what?
    By the way, don’t flash accomplishments in front of me as if they really mean something because they don’t. Participation trophies have taken their toll. It is what it is. I didn’t make this mess don’t ask me to live in it.

  34. So when I got orders to go to Vietnam I guess I should have just said I’m running for Mr America (I was a lot thinner then) and can’t go right now. Being in the military is a full time job. Going to Harvard and entering the Miss America contest would certainly interfere with that. She took a slot at the Academy that many others wanted, she could at least serve some time in uniform before putting on an evening gown. If you think being Miss America is going to inspire people to join the AF, see if you can find a 19 year old that’s ever heard of the Miss America pageant.

  35. “After all, Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels.”
    ― Ann Richards

    Not too many distaff readers here, but I suspect they would verify that Lt. Marsh’s accomplishments are all the more notable because she is attractive. It may help to open doors, but it’s hard to be taken seriously when your male-dominated environment thinks you are “just a pretty face”.

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