Christine Weaver now calls Wetumpka, Alabama home, where she resides with her husband and three cats. Originally moving to Alabama in 2004 for a 10-month course at Maxwell Air Force Base, she decided to stay, ultimately retiring in 2012 after an impressive 20-year career. Weaver’s inspiration to join the Air Force stemmed from her father’s service, sparking a desire to follow in his footsteps. Though she earned a degree in biology from the University of Portland, her Air Force career took her on a different path, shaping her into a Space and Missile Officer. From launching rockets at Vandenberg Air Force Base to tracking satellites at Cheyenne Mountain, Weaver’s journey culminated in a life-altering deployment to Kabul, Afghanistan, where she mentored the Afghan National Police Force. Her service experiences gave her a profound appreciation for her country and a unique perspective on the world.
TRANSITIONING FROM MILITARY TO CIVILIAN LIFE
How did your military experience prepare you for life out of uniform?
My first assignment as a Missile Launch Officer provided training that I use to this day. As a business manager and machine technician at Sew Bernina, the skills I developed taught me to prioritize in a stressful environment. Granted, the quilting business is not as stressful as dealing with nuclear weapons, there are days that truly stretch my organizational, interpersonal and decision-making skills.
CAREER PATH AFTER THE MILITARY
What motivated you to pursue your current career path after leaving the military?
Although I cherished the 20 years I spent in the Air Force, I knew when it was time to go. I began working a single day a week in the local quilt shop and eventually became a manager at Sew Bernina, the only quilt shop and high-end sewing machine dealer in the city.
In what ways has your military background influenced your approach to business and leadership?
As a leader in a retail business setting, I lean on the leadership skills that were developed during my Air Force career. It is my obligation to motivate and encourage each person do to their very best for the business.
ADVICE FOR OTHER VETERANS
If you were to transition from the military to civilian life again, what would you do differently?
I would be a better advocate for myself. Ask for help if you need it. Don’t isolate yourself from others.
How important is networking and mentorship?
Networking and mentorship are invaluable if you can experience them. My network of business professionals is not extensive, but the value of the mentorship provided by those close to me is beyond measure.
How do you balance the need for structure and discipline from military life with the flexibility often required in business?
I am surrounded by a great staff that is passionate about our craft. They keep me grounded and balanced. It has been said that I am too serious sometimes, and that is my reminder that I am not in the military anymore and things may not be as serious as I make them out to be.
“I am extremely proud of my service. Being a female veteran makes me different than most people in my life and my outward appearance does not tell my story. My experiences are unique and very personal.”
- Branch:S. Air Force for 20 years
- First Job Post-Military: Sewing machine technician at Sew Bernina
- Most Useful Military Skill: The ability to organize and prioritize several tasks at once
- Most Helpful Resources For Transition: I don’t know if my transition out of the military was unusual, but I was not overwhelmed by an abundance of support or resources.
