From her role as a Loving Mother to being an 82 Airborne Helicopter Pilot, Nicole Daisley speaks out on being a high achiever in today’s military. This American Heroine is living proof that hard work pays off.
The eldest of four, Nicole was born in North Tonawanda, New York, to a stay-at-home mom and a father who worked at Kodak. She says that after high school, the prospect of working fast-food while putting herself through community college terrified her more than joining the military.
Parachute Rigger, Distinguished Honor Graduate, Decorated War Fighter, Wife, Mother…
Nicole enlisted in the Army in 1995 as an Airborne Parachute Rigger, earning the title of Distinguished Honor Graduate at Fort Lee, VA. Her first duty station was Fort Bragg, NC, where she earned the position of Jump Master and challenged herself to work combat service support for US Army Special Operations (USASOC).
Making the Most of her Potential
Longing for more, Nicole decided to apply to become a helicopter pilot, promising herself a 20-year military career if she was chosen.
In May of 2006, Nicole graduated flight school and within six months, found herself heading out to Afghanistan on her first deployment (of 3), with the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade.
i knew i was better than them.
-Nicole Daisley, on being a female pilot
She says that every deployment was different and that each time, she learned new things about herself. During the first one, she learned about her capabilities as a pilot.
“I was challenged by a lot of not-so-friendly male co-workers every single day,” says Nicole, “and I grinned and beared it because I knew I was better than them. I knew I could do the same things they could, and I wasn’t going to let their negativity bring me down.”
Surviving Overseas Combat
Nicole performed air assaults during her second deployment and says the experience allowed her to distinguish herself as a reliable and competent soldier and pilot.
“I had a couple of engagements with the enemy because of the nature of our unit’s presence.” Nicole supported the movement of Special Forces / Rangers / British/German SAS Troops to a high value target’s location, in order to capture people.
Because of one of these engagements, Nicole and her crew had the humbling experience of being awarded an Air Medal with “V” device.
“I don’t feel like I did anything above and beyond what anyone else would do,” says Nicole. “I know, for a fact, that any other pilot/crew in my unit would have done the same thing… so, why did we get medals?”
Learning by Making Mistakes
Nicole feels that her third deployment, in 2013, was the hardest.
She was a Chief Warrant Officer 3 and was put in charge of safety for the Battalion. Nicole says that this was when she learned the most about aviation, “…and we learned it the hard way- by making a lot of mistakes.”
She also deployed with her husband this time, leaving their infant son behind with his grandparents. “We couldn’t have gotten through that without Skype!!!”
Integrating Family and Career
Upon coming home, both Nicole and her husband were sent to Fort Ruck, AL, to be instructor pilots. “We retired from the Army there, and we moved to Michigan, where my husband grew up, in June of 2018.”
Nicole says that they are now building a Michigan home and are eagerly awaiting the day that they can move in.
You’ve certainly earned it, Nicole!
Q & A With a Modern Military Woman
“I would tell her to try it. There are so many great reasons to join the military, but only you know what’s best for you. Even if you serve for a couple years and decide it’s not for you, at least you tried. That’s more than MANY people do these days. Be proud to go outside the norm and do something new and exciting.”
“Fitting in with a non-military centered community and finding like minded individuals to become friends with.”
“you never know”
“Humbled and honored and truthfully, a little bashful. I think that the military instills a deep sense of team and I never really truly feel deserving of being singled out for recognition like this. I don’t feel very special most of the time, lol.”
Welcoming Nicole into the HelloMissilia Community
HelloMissilia proudly welcomes Nicole into our community of like-minded women! She’s also a member of Woman Veteran Strong, our Michigan Women of the Military Peer Support Group Program. Will you please join or share these resources? By doing so, you’re helping to build the mental resiliency of women like Nicole.
How you can Support the Mission:
In recognition of Nicole’s bravery and integrity, we’re treating her to a 1-year subscription to the HelloMissilia box. If your company or organization supports strong women, please consider sponsoring our heroes by checking out our Sponsorship Information or emailing info@hellomissilia.com.
You can help ensure that stories of women who kick butt, like Nicole, are being shared and celebrated! Send this article out to your social media networks- spreading the word about women like Nicole keeps encouraging women to do great things.
note: this article was originally published on our sister site: https://hellomissilia.com/blogs/news/celebrating-nicole-daisley-82nd-airborne-helicopter-pilot
