Major Emma Webb, U.S. Space Force

From the time she watched the 9/11 attacks unfold on a classroom television, Major Emma Webb knew she wanted to serve. The daughter of a World Trade Center survivor, she witnessed firsthand the long-lasting effects of that day—her mother’s PTSD, the survivor’s guilt, and the deep need to ensure the safety of others. That desire to protect the nation led her to aerospace engineering, where she could contribute to national security in the most technical and impactful way possible. She earned a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Alabama and later pursued a M.S. in Astronautical Engineering from AFIT. Now, as a PhD candidate, she researches six-degree-of-freedom modeling for high-speed reentry vehicles, work that directly supports U.S. military strategy and intelligence operations.

Emma's career began in the Air Force, where she worked as a structural engineer on the Delta IV rocket, providing mission assurance for critical space launches. She moved to missile intelligence at NASIC, analyzing cutting-edge adversary technology. With the establishment of the Space Force, she found her calling, dedicating herself to the advancement of military space operations. Her expertise in orbital mechanics, high-speed flight, and next-generation defense technology positions her at the forefront of innovation, shaping the future of warfare.
Yet, for much of her career, Emma carried a personal burden: she was living as someone she wasn’t. Growing up in the South, she was never exposed to conversations about gender identity. She excelled in academics, JROTC, and later in the Air Force, believing she simply didn’t fit traditional gender roles. It wasn’t until years into her military career that she realized—she was transgender. The revelation came at a time when policies restricted transgender service members, forcing her to suppress her identity for fear of losing the career she had worked so hard to build. When the ban was lifted, Emma made the courageous decision to transition while continuing to serve. “Most people I interact with only care about one thing—how well I do my job,” she says. “And most agree, I do it very well.”

As politicians debate transgender military service, Emma remains laser-focused on her mission. She isn’t just defending the nation—she is shaping the future of warfare, space technology, and national security strategy. Her work has already helped intelligence agencies assess foreign threats and develop countermeasures for emerging weapons systems. To those who reduce her service to a debate about pronouns, she responds with the same resilience that has defined her career: “The next fight will be our last if we don’t remain steadfast in our willingness to accept all who dedicate their lives to securing our future. Only through inclusivity will we ensure the right people are in the right place at the right time to protect our nation.”

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