From Fighter Pilot to Leadership Scholar: Rebecca Calder’s Soaring Career
Rebecca Calder, SBL ’19 & ’25
Dr. Rebecca Calder’s life (SBL ‘19 & ‘25) is a powerful testament to service, perseverance, and the pursuit of purpose. It began with her love for basketball during her high school years — a passion that opened the door to the Naval Academy, where her extraordinary journey would take root.
“I went to the Naval Academy in 1994 initially for basketball, and that decision led to a path I never could have imagined,” Rebecca says. “I’d always carried a deep conviction of service, grounded in my faith and upbringing, and it began revealing itself in the choices I made at the Academy.”
With a master’s and doctorate in organizational leadership from Regent University now in hand, Rebecca reflects on her Naval Academy years with renewed clarity. “Those formative experiences laid the foundation that would transform me from military leader to scholarly thought leader.”
At the Naval Academy, Rebecca chose aviation for her service selection — a decision shaped by her mentor, Charles Bolden, then-Deputy Commandant of Midshipmen. He saw in her the qualities of a great pilot and encouraged her to pursue that path. “Never underestimate the power of mentorship and how a leader’s words and generosity can ignite potential and shape destinies,” she says. “This is something I fully came to appreciate once I started taking leadership courses at Regent.”
After graduating from the Naval Academy, Rebecca completed rigorous flight training, earning her wings and qualifying to fly the F/A-18 Hornet. She flew combat missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch in 2002, and in support of Iraqi Freedom in 2008.
In 2004, Rebecca attended the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School, better known as TOPGUN, and became the first female pilot to graduate from the elite program. Though she gained international media attention, Rebecca shied away from the spotlight, preferring to focus on being the best fighter pilot she could be.
“Only recently have I become comfortable talking about my military achievements and the challenges I faced,” Rebecca admits. “It took retiring and earning my doctorate for me to truly reflect on my journey as a fighter pilot and the hardships of war. I see now that there was history made there, and the leadership training I received at Regent helped me transform my story into a platform that’s impacting lives worldwide.”
Rebecca’s path to Regent began when she was ready for her next challenge. “When my youngest started kindergarten, I thought, ‘I’ve flown F/A-18s for 15 years, embraced motherhood, joined the Reserves, became a supportive military spouse — now what?’”
Rebecca says she then began searching for master’s programs in leadership that would allow her to use her GI Bill® and deepen her understanding of leadership from a Christian perspective. Her search led her to Regent University’s Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MAOL) program, training that would later help her launch a successful new career.
Rebecca began taking classes at Regent in 2017 and completed her MAOL in 2019. A week later, she enrolled in Regent’s Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership.
The Donor Scholarship Ripple Effect
When Rebecca’s GI Bill® benefits ran out before she completed her doctorate, a donor-funded scholarship made it possible for her to continue without interruption or financial stress.
“That generous investment in my education is bearing fruit every day,” Rebecca reflects. “Donors may not see the immediate impact of their gift, but I’m living proof of what happens when someone invests in a student’s dream. Now I’m out in the world as a speaker and consultant, helping leaders build hope and resilience — and that ripple effect goes on and on.”
For Rebecca, donor generosity didn’t just fund a degree; it multiplied into a ministry of leadership development that’s touching lives across corporate, military, and nonprofit sectors.
Professors Dedicated to Your Success
Rebecca also credits her Regent professors for their unwavering support and prayers. At one point in her doctoral journey, she was almost ready to give up. “My dissertation work was extremely challenging, but my professors were committed to my success every step of the way.”
The rigorous academic training Rebecca received at Regent gave her both the theoretical framework and practical tools to help organizations and individuals thrive. “Regent equipped me with expert knowledge that guides my consulting business,” she says. “It feels deeply purposeful to inspire organizations and help them develop meaningful solutions for people and businesses.”
How Your Generosity Makes a Difference
Rebecca’s journey reveals what becomes possible when education, mentorship, and perseverance meet the transformative power of investing in someone’s potential. When you invest in a student’s education, you’re not just funding tuition — you’re igniting dreams, unlocking futures, and multiplying impact far beyond what you can see.
Today, Rebecca is changing lives through her consulting and speaking, but it all began with people who invested in her future. Your generosity can launch the next extraordinary story, equipping and empowering students to influence cultures and communities through a biblical worldview.