TopRank

WeSalute Awards TopRank: Scott Ruskan Petty Officer 3rd Class Scott Ruskan was recently named an “American hero” by the Department of Homeland Security after saving 165 lives at Camp Mystic, a girl’s summer camp along the Guadalupe River in Texas where 27 people died in the July Fourth weekend's catastrophic flooding. It was his first rescue mission with the Coast Guard.

Military & Veterans Life TopRank: Shawna Rochelle Kimbrell Shawna Rochelle Kimbrell, a name now synonymous with courage, determination, and breaking barriers, made history as the first Black female fighter pilot in the United States Air Force (USAF). Born on April 20, 1976, in Lafayette, Indiana, Kimbrell's journey from a childhood dream to soaring through the skies in an F-16 Fighting Falcon is nothing short of remarkable.

WeSalute Awards TopRank: Ms. America Madison Marsh Madison Marsh, a twenty-two year old, active duty Air Force Officer excited and inspired the country as she was crowned Miss America 2024 earlier this month. 

WeSalute Awards TopRank: Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti Navy Admiral Lisa Franchetti made history last month by becoming the first woman to lead the U.S. Navy. The Senate voted 95-1 to name her Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). She becomes the first woman to join the elite group of senior military officers who make up the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The White House announced her nomination July 21 and she was sworn in as the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations in early November. 

WeSalute Awards TopRank: Lt. Amanda Lee of the Blue Angels The Blue Angels, the famed U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron that has delighted millions with its thrilling air shows, added its first female pilot last week. Navy Lt. Amanda Lee was tapped as the first female F/A-18E/F demo pilot. She and five other officers are the newest members of the 2023 Show Season for the Blue Angels.

WeSalute Awards TopRank: Mike Hopkins This past week, the Space Force’s first representative took a very different mode of transport to his base for the next six months – traveling on the SpaceX Dragon capsule to the International Spac

WeSalute Awards TopRank: The Army's Maura Spence-Carroll Imagine trading your helmet in for a crown. That’s what happened for Army Spc. Maura Spence-Carroll last month when she was named Miss Colorado 2021.

Military & Veterans News Scott's View: Honoring TopRank LT General Nadja West This month, Women's History Month, we honor TopRank LT General Nadja West, the U.S. Army Surgeon General and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Medical Command.

WeSalute Awards TopRank: Nadja West In recognition of Women’s History Month 2018, and the 216th Birthday of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on March 16, Veterans Advantage honors Lt. General Nadja West, the highest ranking female to have ever graduated from West Point.

WeSalute Awards TopRank: U.S. Army General Vincent Brooks To choose one word to describe U.S. General Vincent Brooks is difficult, but most members of the press would agree that the commander of United States Forces Korea is the epitome of “unruffled.” As noted in our previous profile of Brooks in 2003, no matter the situation, Brooks’ demeanor is cool, calm and collected. His serious attitude reflects his family’s extraordinary military accomplishment and service to our country.

WeSalute Awards TopRank: Michelle Howard Breaking the military "brass ceiling" once again, the Navy's Michelle Janine Howard was promoted to Vice Chief of Naval Operations, the Navy's Number 2 post, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

WeSalute Awards TopRank: Remembering General H. Norman Schwarzkopf Schwarzkopf was credited in securing key Middle Eastern military support for a six-week aerial campaign in January 1991, which climaxed with a swift and massive ground offensive.

WeSalute Awards TopRank: Doug Wheelock For U.S. Astronaut and West Point Graduate Douglas H. Wheelock, achieving his childhood goal of spaceflight is truly extraordinary, and yet it's only one of his proudest achievements. His sky-high personal goals take a backseat to honoring those who have served before him and inspiring those who will serve in the future.

WeSalute Awards TopRank: Ann E. Dunwoody This November of firsts is not limited to the presidential election. Our military has its own historic event to report. General Ann E. Dunwoody (right) ascended last week from humble beginnings 33 years ago at Fort Sill, Okla., to the never-before achieved elite level of four-star general.

WeSalute Awards TopRank: Ed Freeman, Vietnam Pilot, Awarded Medal of Honor Retired Major Ed W. Freeman has been awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor as a pilot in Vietnam. He is the 34th Idaho resident to receive the nation’s highest military honor.

WeSalute Awards TopRank: Lt. General James Conway The elite force of the U.S. Marines is poised to be led by one of its own with the President’s nomination of Lt. Gen. James Conway as the 34th Commandant.

WeSalute Awards TopRank: Col. Eileen Marie Collins Astronauts are traditionally trail blazers. But for Col. Eileen Marie Collins (USAF), her career has been historic, too: This month, the Space Shuttle’s first woman commander completed a historic "Return to Flight" mission as NASA recovers from the 2003 Columbia disaster.

WeSalute Awards TopRank: General Michael W. Hagee After spending his first year at the University of Texas in an NROTC unit, General Hagee received a Congressional appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated with distinction with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in 1968, a year which produced more general officers in the Marine Corps than any other class.

WeSalute Awards TopRank: General Richard B. Myers, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Great historical events have often been "defining moments" for our nation’s military leaders. For General Richard B.

WeSalute Awards TopRank: Gen.Tommy R. Franks President Bush calls Tommy Franks a "down-to-earth, no-nonsense guy." And even though this Soldier’s Soldier has faced his own losses to terrorism long before Iraq and Afghanistan, he rises to the