Commander Emily “Hawking” Shilling serves as Deputy Program Manager for the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System with the U.S. Navy, shaping the future of autonomous naval operations. A distinguished Naval Aviator, she has logged over 1,700 flight hours and 60 combat missions as an EA-6B and EA-18G Test Pilot. Emily made history as the first transgender naval aviator cleared for tactical jet operations post-transition and is the most senior out transgender line officer in the U.S. Navy. Her advocacy extends as President of SPARTA, where she represents the approximate 15,000 active and reserve all volunteer transgender troops, fighting forward for trans-inclusive service. “Hawking” also serves on the Board of Directors at Out & Equal as the voice for the LGBTQ+ military and government communities. There she strives for a military where all who are willing, can find belonging and serve with the largest employer of LGBTQ+ individuals in the world, the Department of Defense. Her leadership, courage, and voice continue to break barriers for all who serve.
