In her memoir, Caroline Johnson shares her climb to become a female fighter pilot in the United States Navy. As she and her fellow female pilots navigate the male dominated profession, Johnson unaplogetically discusses the training, the missions, and the complications of a life in today's Navy.

I wavered between a 2-3 star rating on this book, but have now reached the decision that a 3 star reading better represents my overall feelings of the book. There are some difficulties in the structure of the book's writing and occassionally I had to re-read a few sentences or even paragraphs to consider what or exactly Johnson was referring especially when it came to places that was trying to add dialogue.

Perhaps what bugged me the most and maybe it is more something I hope the editor or publisher takes into account is that it is 2019. As a female reader, I cringe when a woman is writing about stepping into a nontraditional role, but feels the need to assure us as a reader that they are still a "girly-girl" or "feminine" When relating the difficulties of long missions in the jet and having to take care of basic needs like going to the bathroom, Johnson doesn't refer just to her underwear, but her Victoria Secret panties. Seriously?? Also, she tends to stress wearing make-up, nail polish and her talent at decorating. I don't know, it just seems like a fairly narrow view of what a woman should be. I am a teacher( very traditional role for a female) who doesn't wear make up and I hate decorating unless it's a Christmas tree. Am I less of a woman? 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️ Of course not! So don't hijack the person telling their story by adding in such petty and irrelevant details!









Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.


Goodreads Review 03/11/19
Publication Date 05/11/19

As someone whose knowledge of the US Navy consists of futuristic space military novels, I clearly went into this book with no preconceived notions of such a career, aside from the assumption that Caroline would experience the same double standards and pressures placed on women in any traditionally gendered work environment.

At first, it seemed like this was not the case. The first half of the book is very optimistic, almost as if, aside from working her ass off, Caroline had no real obstacles to hurdle. Though it was by no means incessant, there is a lot of talk about how feminine she really is, despite her profession, with mention of nail polish, shopping, and other stereotypical female interests (as well as a long-winded explanation of how hard it is to pee in a cockpit). So around 50% I started making notes about how this book was a little bit fluffy, lacked tension, and I wasn’t sure what the point was.

Then I hit the midpoint. Honestly, everything that takes places in the first half, including the non-chronological order of the chapters (which feel fragmented) made sense by 75%. Caroline has set it up in this way to prime us for her big reveal, which (while not surprising) is a tender and deeply frustrating account of her treatment in the military by her peers. Frankly, I think she couldn’t start the novel focusing on this, because we all know what happens when women speak out in media – a small (but weighty) contingent of butt-hurt dudes come rushing in to crush it to the ground with overly negative reviews. I mean, heaven forbid we criticize old ways of doing things that privilege one group over another! Starting the book off as pleasant and rather didactic felt like a political choice to me. I do think if the book followed a chronological order it might have built the tension better, but it’s not a novel – it’s an autobiography.

She slowly builds on her ostracization by her squad, much in the way it would happen in real life. Ostracization, harassment, and gender-based discrimination are worse for her on the job than in training, which surprised me; I would have thought training would have been the hard part. Instead, this book shows not only why we need more women in the military, but in other male-dominated fields. This crap doesn’t just happen in the military, but police stations, firehouses, construction, law firms … granted, it’s likely getting better, but “old boys’ clubs” still pervade and women (and minorities) often don’t speak up because they are afraid of further persecution. This type of sexism is bad for everyone – men suffer under toxic masculinity that makes them believe a successful woman in a threat to them personally, and women must compete with one another rather than cooperate. Caroline shows how deep this tragic mentality runs.

This important facet aside, the book is not all about that! It has many more aspects that make it worth reading as well. She writes with casual, easy prose that is part leadership book and part memoir. She provides explanations to those of us (myself especially) who know nothing about the field. She brings in her romantic relationships to a very minimal extent, which helps round her out but not take over the real story. And her descriptions of being in the jets are very exciting.

Now, I’m not someone who blindly agrees with the US meddling in other wars, but I’m also from Canada, so I’m not part of the cultural milieu Caroline is (most likely) writing for. If you’re someone who is staunchly anti-war (or anti-military spending), you might find this book frustrating, but I doubt you’d pick it up anyway.

Before I hit the halfway point, I was debating whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars, but since finishing it, my estimation has risen. And since I can’t give the novel 4.5 on this site or Goodreads, I’m bumping it to 5. You go, Caroline.

This coming-of-age book aims to inspire and attract the next generation of men and women to the military. I feel it should enlighten the general population’s ideals on the treatment of anyone that chooses to take an unconventional path in the military or life in general.

Remember this is one person’s recollection. It doesn’t make it right or wrong, it just tells it from her point of view.

From this memoir; I can see that many things in the military haven’t changed since I was on active duty. It is never easy trying to find your way and establishing yourself. There will always be some supporters, many detractors and those that just want you to fail no matter what the costs. I was fortunate to have a small strong support group.

Change is never easy. Caroline Johnson should have been treated more fairly in the Blacklion squadron. Having said that, she should not have been surprised by the ill treatment from the squadron team. I find it hard to believe that academy life was all roses for her even though women have been at the academies since 1976. Also, Tail Hook was another indicator that people are not treated equally and at times not even as people within the military.

Her executive and commanding officers’ conduct was abysmal. I truly believe more change is needed in the military regarding discrimination of any kind. Ask Senator McSally and many other veterans serving our nation.

I found this story informative. I learned about the Navy and procedures to become a pilot on the F/A-18 Super Hornet. I relished in the details about the jets and the process.
This story along with many others about women making their own way through the military is enlightening. Each story is different yet similar on many levels.

I recommend this book. If for nothing else, get a look into what it’s like to be someone other than a white male in the Navy.

This was a wonderful book that describes just what it's like to not only be a jet pilot in top form, but to be a woman in what is even today a male domnated business. This book will have you standing on your chair cheering and when it's time to pee, laughing.

I appreciate the story CAROLINE JOHNSON is trying to tell. She was definitely dealt a bad hand of cards, when she landed in the Blacklion squadron. The treatment that she received from the squadron team as well as her executive and commanding officer was abysmal. There is no doubt from her story that even more change is needed in the military regarding discrimination on the basis of sex.

However, this will not be the book that effectuates that change. The writing left much to be desired and the book’s organization made me feel as if I was on a ship in a hurricane. The tone runs the gamut of condescending and elitist, to immature and whining.

Johnson’s talk of her fingernail polish color, urinating on a jet and her decorating prowess aboard the USS George H.W. Bush may appeal to a young adult audience. But it will do little to change the way women are treated in the military, in fact just the opposite.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review of ‘Jet Girl’ by Caroline Johnson.
First and foremost I want to thank @jetgirlusa for sharing her story. Secondly, I would like to thank @stmartinspress @netgalley for the ARC.
👩🏻‍✈️
I loved this book and highly recommend for so many reasons: the book does a great job explaining life in the military, it highlights the hardships, emphasizes the importance of acceptance and friendship, and showcases the negative effects of harassment in the workplace. This book is relevant to 2019 and I’m sure many women (military or not) will be able to relate to the themes of sexism, gender roles, exclusion, and bullying. 👩🏻‍✈️
Having been in the military I can attest to the boys club mentality from only my slanted point of view. I will say that I was readily accepted into one squadron but I didn’t feel fully accepted in others. I always assumed it was just me, but reading Caroline’s story I realized it was probably the culture from the time period I served. 👩🏻‍✈️
Regardless, Jet Girl is a book of empowerment. Of women standing up for each other. For women to look out for one another. Be present, be aware, be there (my words y’all). As women, it’s our time to shine but in order to do so, we need to support one another. 👩🏻‍✈️
My favorite part of the entire book was learning about Navy call signs and peeing in a cockpit. 👩🏻‍✈️
#jetgirlusa #jetgirlbook #netgalley #stmartinspress #carolinejohnson #badassfemales #advancereadercopy #novemberrelease #goodreads #2019readingchallenge #justread #kindlepaperwhite #womeninthemilitary

Every time I’ve read a book about a navy seal I’ve marveled about the training it takes to be ranked among those with that title. I realize this book isn’t about a seal but an aviator. However, as I read I felt the same way. Whether man or woman, seal or aviator, the training involved to attain some ranks is staggering. And to think that it’s taken so many years for us as civilians to realize this and begin thanking our veterans for all they’ve endured for us is sad. (Or maybe this applies more to me than you.)

In the case of this book, I was able to see much of the training through a woman’s eyes. Again, rather naively, I had no idea what would be required of an F/A-18 Super Hornet Weapons System Officer. A title that Caroline Johnson worked extremely hard to achieve.

Her story begins in the early 2000s when she enters the academy and turns her life, a somewhat privileged Colorado debutante, over to the United States Navy. The reader follows her through her schooling and what is required. After graduating at the top of her flight school class, she is selected for the Blacklions, an elite fighter group based out of Virginia Beach, Va. I probably should have mentioned earlier that the chapters switch occasionally from training, then up a few years to active duty.

It’s easy to pick up on her enthusiasm for what she is working on, and then when she does finally get to join a squadron. But at the same time, her thorough story shares the loneliness, harassment, and snubbing that she endures. Of course, not by all, but by many. But they are things that would send most of us racing back home. Yet, she keeps her eye single to her goal.

Be it right or wrong, I’m not involved in women’s liberation in any way. Yet, I tried to understand the issues she faced and I wanted to give each side a fair shake. The wives of the fighter pilots shunned her, no doubt not happy that this woman would be spending so much time with their husbands. But as a woman, it felt like they should have been singing her praises for achieving such a wonderful accomplishment. And the men . . . well, many were downright cruel to her. I guess trying to see it from their side, flying was intruding into their world.

This in-depth story covers so much: the rigorous training involved, friendships, mentors, boyfriends, trying to find her place in a squadron, handling sexism and exclusion from her squadron, and much more.

And finally, we learn how hard it is for her to acclimate to life when they aren’t on the carrier. Though she needs some space to regroup and call her own, she finds nearly complete alienation. Though perhaps partying would have helped her fit in. (I’m being facetious and at the same time truthful.)

This touching story takes the reader on a flight like no other.

What Concerned Me:
I wasn’t a fan of the chapters jumping from past to earlier, then back to past, etc.

What I Liked Most:
Though this is not a topic I would normally read, the journey she took was very interesting and informative.

I have absolutely nothing in common with her, but reading through her path from her first day at the naval academy to the day she dropped bombs on ISIS terrorists in Iraq to the days when she questioned her place in the Navy were so vividly retold that it felt like I was there.

I thought this was a well written story! I enjoyed it and thought the entire story interesting. It was very impressive what she had to do and what she put up with. I did feel like it was a bit wordy at times but it could just be all the technical aspects. Thanks to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the early copy!

I found this to be fully engrossing and entertaining. It delivered Caroline Johnson’s story in wonderful style that was fun to read. Her story made me forget about everything else and I loved that it was so informative about the world of the Navy and the steps it took to become a pilot on the F/A-18 Super Hornet. I enjoyed reading all the details about the jets, procedures for flying, and everything to do with it, and the way this book was written it never got boring. I just kept wanting to read it long past my bedtime. Anyone with an interest in the Navy and/ or flying memoirs should check this out, it’s so good. One of my favorites this year. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Caroline Johnson, and the publisher.

This was a fascinating look into the life of one of the United States’ awesome fighter pilots.
You really should read this book!

I was intrigued by this memoir from a former Navy aviator since it was written by a woman who excelled in a very stressful, male-dominated career. Johnson weaves her story by alternating chapters set in the past and more current events, giving the reader a more complete understanding of the hurdles those who choose this path face. As I read, I found myself rooting for her, feeling her pain and also laughing at lighter moments. Johnson's account feels honest and open as she shares her accomplishments as well as her struggles and brings to light the continued lack of support and equality for women serving our country.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve had a long-standing fascination with military aircraft, and in particularly, fighter jets, which has in turn extended to an interest in the people who fly them and the mentality that it takes to be a military pilot. I don’t naturally gravitate towards biographies or memoirs – especially not when I don’t even know anything about the subject – but Jet Girl caught my eye and I ended up requesting it out of sheer curiosity.

Caroline Johnson is a fascinating woman – she made the decision to join the U.S. Navy, go through pilot training and flew F/A-18 Super Hornets in the Middle East. I have absolutely nothing in common with her, but reading her path from her first day at the naval academy to the day she dropped bombs on ISIS terrorists in Iraq to the days when she questioned her place in the Navy were so vividly retold that it felt like I was there.

Told through a series of almost-vignettes, moving backwards and forwards in time to weave her story, the format took a few chapters to get used to but once that happened I was deeply invested. It’s clear the Johnson had some fantastic experiences… and also some disappointing, and even devastating ones, during her time as a pilot.

She shares tiny details that I never would have even thought of, from decorating the room she shared with the other female pilots (Jet Girls) on the carrier they called home, to how women go to the toilet in the cockpit – which she could have been in for anywhere between 2-8 hours at a time – and the continued isolation of women in the military. She talks about shore leave, her mentors (good and bad), the rigorous training she underwent to become the best the Navy had to offer, and the mental strain that military personnel are under constantly.

I did find that the ending seemed a little abrupt, but it did leave off on a definite point for discussion – how does the Navy support and encourage the change in mentality to wards women in the military. That conversation wasn’t really unpacked (mostly because it was the most recent part of Johnson’s story and, likely, is still in progress) but besides that the rest of the book was just fascinating.

I’m very glad that I finally read Jet Girl.

What an incredible story. Very well written and eye opening. I so admire her determination and thankful for her writing this. It is sad that we live in a world that is still so messed up with how women and our military are treated. She endured things that should not happen and that makes me sad. I am thankful for the author’s service to our country and for the honesty in this book.
I recommend this book because people need to see the changes that still need to be made in our country.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for my copy. This is my own opinion.

What is the first thing you think of when you see this cover? For me, all I could think was, “Badass.” (Sorry for the language, but it’s true.) Luckily, the story meets all the expectations that the cover sets up.
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Jet Girl is Caroline Johnson’s story of being an aviator in the US Navy beginning at her days at the Naval Academy through her days flying in war zones and beyond.
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There was a lot to process with this book, and I had so many feelings while reading it. The long and the short of it is: I loved this book. Johnson writes with humor, tenacity, and rawness. She doesn’t shy away from tackling the misogyny, cattiness, and sexism she faced throughout her career.
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I literally laughed out loud at her story of trying to pee in her jet for the first and last time. I felt her struggle to maintain her femininity while being in a male-dominated world. I cringed at the stories of outright sexual harassment she faced. My heart broke as she described her struggle to acclimate to life after war while being iced out by her squadron, the people that were supposed to be her brothers (and sisters) in arms.
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My favorite part of this book, however, was how unapologetic and straightforward she is about how good at being a WSO (Weapon Systems Officer) she is. She doesn’t do it in an arrogant way, it is just simply a fact. Finally, she puts the reader in that jet with her, and it’s a freaking exhilarating ride.
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I’d highly recommend this memoir!
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4.5 stars

A brilliant read an eye opening look at life as a female aviator in today’s us navyThe difficulties challenges women face from the academy on her determination answers success wil have you cheering.Open real honest inspiring.#netgalley#st.martinspress

Incredibly engaging, right from the first sentence! I read the first chapter but had to attend to motherly duties with my young kids, and I kept thinking about the story, wanting to find out what happens next! Really well-written, and I'm in total awe of these heros in our world!

This excellent memoir of a female aviator's training and career as a Navy jet pilot grabbed me from the start. One of the most fascinating books I've read in quite some time. I literally could not put it down.

Especially interesting were the practical aspects she talked about, such as what she brings along when flying, surviving SERE (survival, evasion, resistance, and escape) training, and the details behind deployment, but the portions dealing with the deaths of fellow pilots she knew really hit home.

Probably one of my favorite books of the year. Highly recommended!!

The Blue Angels are literally flying past my window as I write this review. In Seattle it's SeaFair, an annual summer celebration which brings the Navy to town with perfect formation flybys. I've always loved watching jets scream past. There's something beautiful, scary, and impressive about the level of engineering and technical skill it takes to make a jet a jet. Johnson's memoir lets us timid readers see behind the curtain into a life I could never imagine.

Johnson's story has something for everyone to identify with: how hard work and perseverance can pay off, but also how horrible it feels to be singled out and alienated. I found myself making many connections between Johnson's experience to my own. It's hard to spend so much of your life in an environment that sees you as "other" and second guesses any success you achieve. But I haven't had anywhere near the stress or strain Johnson experienced while continuing to fight. She's a shining example of how to keep fighting, even if that fight means you need to change tactics. Adapt and survive.

If you're on the fence, just pick up the book and start reading. I guarantee you'll get sucked in and won't want to put it down. I found myself reading for hours, forgetting where I was, thinking I was on the ship with Caroline in the Sharktank. Johnson's writing isn't poetic or overly descriptive, but it's to the point and tells you exactly what she wants you to know.

Now I'm going to watch Top Gun. Anyone working on a gender-swapped Top Gun movie? If not, they should. Images of successful women are important, especially in the military.

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Message/Argument: 5 stars + 2 bonus stars because it's about jets
Prose/Language: 3 stars

Memoirs are probably my favorite genre to read and this one hit it out of the park. Caroline Johnson was a top-tier Naval Academy graduate who worked her way up (as the number one in her many classes along the way) to fly as a Weapons Systems Operator for Topgun. This memoir was so well written that I was queasy when described her first flight in the ultimate jet: the Super Hornet. I loved everything about this book including her takeaway that stellar female naval officers are leaving the service because of harassment to the disservice of all Americans. Highly recommended.

This book is a generally well-written memoir about an F/A-18 Super Hornet Weapons System Officer, who happens to be a woman. The military information is just what you would expect: training, the mental game, and some unclassified deployment details. The part of the book that really hits home is the harassment and treatment Caroline gets from her own squads – the men that are supposed to be supporting her, while they expect her support as well. The Navy wives even vilify her and call her out for wearing a “too revealing” dress to a party.
I admire Caroline for putting up with all the slurs and backbiting gossip. It’s a shame that someone with such drive, talent and patriotism should be dealing with such petty bullshit. Most of her fellow recruits treat her normally; it’s the few bad apples as usual spoiling everything.
JETGIRL skips around from chapter to chapter, telling us Caroline’s story from first days in the Navy all the way up to being deployed in Iraq. The chapters do not proceed sequentially; once you realize that and are ok with the story skipping back and forth, the reading smooths out. The story turns a lot darker when Caroline shares her battle with depression with us. I cannot imagine staying in the Navy as long as she did, nor can I believe how badly she was treated despite excelling in her classes and as a pilot. Unfortunately, she decided to change careers to ultimately save her sanity, which I feel is the Navy’s great loss. She started to realize the stress that her body was under due to the strain of deployment even before her aircraft carrier had left the Persian Gulf. She began isolating herself once she got back to the States and was told by the flight doctor to “man up…and stop being a drama queen”.
At this point the story got very frustrating for me, as I felt Caroline’s pain and wanted to scream at all the men that this was a real issue and deserved the proper attention. I could not believe what she was writing – that she was not properly supported by her commanding officers and her squad. The rest of the book details her downward spiral and her “icing out” by her commanders and crew, along with her guilt and confusion about what she should do with her life – leave the Navy or try to stick it out.
The last section is an excellent example of what depression looks and feels like. Poor mental health carries such a stigma in this country and I am happy Caroline had the courage to bare her soul and share her story. Her message is important on many levels – her depression, the mistreatment she experienced, and her love for the Navy all come together in an illuminating and meaningful way. I can only hope that she has smoothed the way for other female Navy pilots with her no-holds-barred examples of how she was treated. Let’s see if the Navy can make the future better than its past.