US Air Force Pilot to Compete for Miss America Crown as First Active-Duty Officer

Madison Marsh, crowned Miss Colorado last May, is poised to make history as the first active-duty US Air Force officer to compete for the Miss America title, a groundbreaking feat that showcases her multifaceted journey.

At the age of 22, the Arkansas native expressed the importance of uniting her military service and pageant success to inspire others. “You don’t have to limit yourself,” she believes. In an interview with the news outlet SWNS, Marsh stressed the openness of the military for personal leadership, both in and out of uniform.

Winning Miss Colorado, she believes, exemplifies this and encourages others to find their true passions. Joining 49 other hopefuls, Marsh will compete on the Florida stage on January 13 and 14, eight months after securing the Miss Colorado crown, the New York Post reported.

Her achievement followed closely on the heels of graduating from the Air Force Academy with a degree in physics. As a 2nd lieutenant, she concurrently pursues a Master’s in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School while preparing for the Miss America pageant, seamlessly blending her military and pageant commitments.

Reflecting on her unique journey, Marsh initially aspired to a pilot’s license before venturing into pageants as an extracurricular activity during her time at the US Air Force Academy. Describing her experience, she noted the challenges of finding identity as a freshman and the influence of her cousin’s positive remarks about the “community service aspect and the focus on public speaking.”

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Marsh’s surreal win of the Miss Colorado crown came three years later, solidifying her status as the first active-duty officer from any branch to represent at the national level of the Miss America organisation. Adding a touch of pop culture, she refers to her boyfriend as her own “Goose,” drawing a resemblance to the iconic wingman from the Tom Cruise film “Top Gun.”

Looking ahead, Marsh is committed to using the stage to address stereotypes about military women and inspire young girls to serve. Inspired by the loss of her mother to pancreatic cancer, she sees a future in cancer research and wishes to contribute to impactful cancer policies for all Americans.