The Louisiana Army National Guard has commissioned its first Black female pilot. Warrant Officer Tatiana Julien, a New Orleans native, had no idea that she was the first to accomplish the feat.
“I didn’t even do this with the intention of being the first, I just went to pursue something that I wanted to do, so I didn’t know, it was even a thought in my mind, it just happened,” said Julien.
Julien says she was inspired to become a pilot by her mentor, Chief Warrant Officer 4, Troy Willis, another New Orleanian. He helped her realize that her dream could become a reality.
“Seeing him in the cockpit sparked a true interest in mind, maybe this is something I can actually do, because I didn’t really see black pilots around,” said Julien.
Julien says that she feels a responsibility as the first Black female pilot in the L-A-N-G’s history to encourage the next wave of young women to earn their wings as well.
“I feel like it is my responsibility to put a face out there for young females tell them that just because its male dominated doesn’t mean it’s something you can’t do,” said Julien.
