How did Tammy Duckworth go from the Army to the U.S. Senate?

Tammy Duckworth. Black Hawk pilot who lost both legs in Iraq, then rebuilt her life in public service as Illinois veterans director, VA Assistant Secretary, congresswoman and U.S. senator.

In the military

Joined Army ROTC 1990 at George Washington University; commissioned in the Army Reserve 1992; Army Reserve 1992 to 1996, Illinois Army National Guard 1996 to 2014; UH-60 Black Hawk pilot. On Nov 12, 2004 in Iraq her helicopter was hit by an RPG; she lost both legs and badly injured her right arm, becoming the first American female double amputee of the Iraq War. Purple Heart (Dec 3, 2004), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal; promoted to major at Walter Reed (Dec 21, 2004); retired as lieutenant colonel, October 2014.

The transition

• Spent months recovering at Walter Reed and said her first words on waking were ‘Put me to work’.
• Ran for Congress in 2006 and lost, then became Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, 2006 to 2009.
• Served as Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 2009 to 2011.
• Won election to the U.S. House in 2012, 6 years after her first loss.
• Kept serving in the Guard until 2014, so her civilian career and military career overlapped for about 10 years.

What came next

• U.S. Representative for Illinois’s 8th District, 2013 to 2017.
• U.S. Senator from Illinois since 2017.
• First U.S. senator to give birth while in office, 2018.

In Duckworth’s own words

“I should have died. Having almost died, I am far more fearless.” (Disability Employment Awareness program)

“I’m still the same person I was before.” (Heidelberg, November 2007)

“My buddies wouldn’t give up on me. They refused to leave me behind.” (Veterans Day keynote at Washington University)

“I no longer had the same ability to fly a Black Hawk, but my personal commitment to protect the nation I loved was as strong as ever.” (WashU Veterans Day keynote, November 2017)

“I can’t and won’t waste this second chance they gave me.” (WashU Veterans Day keynote, November 2017)

“The worst day for me in Washington on the floor of the House is never going to be as bad as me getting blown up. So bring it.” (NBC News interview, 2012 congressional campaign)

Lessons for your own transition

• Define a new mission rather than mourning the old one; Duckworth said she could no longer fly but her commitment to serve was unchanged.
• Losing the first civilian contest is not the verdict; she lost in 2006, built credentials at state and federal veterans agencies, and won 6 years later.
• Combat perspective is a strength in civilian pressure; she says nothing in Washington compares to what she survived.

More veterans who made the leap

See them all, and practical steps for leaving after a long career: How do I transition from the military to civilian work after 30 years?.