Fort Worth Report: When the Call to Serve Never Ends: Barbara Wenzel

For many, military service is a defining chapter, a time of profound self-discovery, and a commitment to a cause larger than oneself. But what happens when that chapter closes? For one veteran pilot, the call to serve never truly ended. Instead, it evolved, leading her from the cockpit of a T-38 instructor jet to the heart of working with kids in foster care.

During her time as a First Assignment Instructor Pilot and in the Accelerated Copilot Enrichment program, Barbara Wenzel learned invaluable lessons. She gained a deep appreciation for the hard work and sacrifice required to defend our nation—not just from those in uniform, but from their families who must sacrifice as well. She also learned the importance of effective leadership, witnessing firsthand that the best leaders are those who respect their team and lead by example. This experience ingrained in her a sense of purpose, a feeling of being part of something bigger.