Over the past twenty years, the United States has been involved in a range of conflicts, placing significant demands on the individuals who are deployed, often multiple times. These individuals have borne the brunt of civilian decisions regarding when, how and where to use force, as well as what the goals of these conflicts should be. The challenges of war are not often well communicated to civilian policymakers. This series seeks to engage with military personnel and gain a broader perspective of the challenges they face.
Lt. Col. Elisha P. Pippin is the Air Force Director of Psychological Health at Air Force Medical Agency, Falls Church, Virginia. She is responsible for forecasting and facilitating the strategic direction of the Mental Health Enterprise and advising over 35,000 Department of the Air Force Medics. Her duties include advising the Air Force Surgeon General, senior Air Force and Congressional leaders on all psychological health policy matters in support of 76 medical treatment facilities world-wide for over 2.5M beneficiaries. She builds strategic partnerships within the Department of Defense, Veteran’s Affairs, federal agencies, academia, and allied medical services on mental health and international medical affairs.
Lt. Col. Pippin received a direct commission after completing her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Georgia in May of 2005. She has served in various wing and Air Staff- level assignments at CONUS, OCONUS and deployed locations. She served in a variety of roles at the installation level to include Mental Health Flight Commander, Director of Staff for the 42d Air Base Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base and as the 82nd Operational Medical Readiness Squadron Commander at Sheppard Air Force Base. At the headquarters level she has served as Executive Officer for the Air Force Deputy Surgeon General, Chief of Air Force Mental Health Operations, and the Chief of Family Advocacy Program. Prior to her current position, Lt. Col. Pippin was a student at the United States Army War College Carlisle Scholars Program.