Meet America’s only female four-star general | TODAY

In a room of seasoned airmen, the highest-ranking officer calls the shots. Ladies and gentlemen, General Miller. Take your seats, please. And this meeting can't start until one woman arrives at the head of the table. This is just an amazing effort. It's getting after the National Defense Strategy, our compete, deter, and win. But General Marianne Miller will tell you the men and women of the Air Force share a common thread. It's never about us. It's always about them. And when we can take every step that we make in life, feeling that in our heart, then we've got it right. Humility is a part of that. I tell my young airmen, you know, we're all the same. Her career spans nearly four decades. Joining the Air Force in 1981, she soared as a pilot, became the first female chief of Air Force Reserve, and is now the only female four-star general serving in the military. And holding that title, what does that mean to you? I view it from the eyes of a young girl looking up at me. I want them to see someone who's convicted to get it right, who really understands what it means to be a great airman and to be a great leader. As General Miller rose up the ranks, the responsibilities followed. We have airplanes taking off every three minutes, every day of every year. As head of Air Mobility Command, the general manages Air Force One and other planes that carry members of Congress. She also supports missions during wars and natural disasters and oversees a $15 billion budget. And when crisis strikes, she turns to God for guidance and renewal. You know, my whole life is giving and giving and serving those around me, serving the mission and the airmen. And so I fill back up with prayer and contemplation, and it's wonderful. A lot of people, when they meet you, they're like, wow, you are really down to earth. Where do you think that comes from? I think connecting with people. And I tell our young airmen, you know, you really need to be good at what you do, and you really need to be a good person. I spend a lot of time on their heart. You can be a technical expert all day, but when that goes away, who are you? It's what you have inside. And inside General Miller is an everlasting call for duty. She heard it again 18 years ago when on the verge of retirement. Tuesday, September 11th, changed the world for me. And by that Friday, I had called the Air Force Reserve and said, pull my retirement paperwork. I'm going to stay. Here we go. Unwavering in her pledge. On base, she stops each day, no matter what she's doing, to honor those who paved a way for our freedoms. And she keeps a self-written reminder with her always. This is the hat that I wear, and then I keep a prayer. As I go my rounds from one distraction to another, let me whisper from time to time a word of prayer to you. Keep our service members and civilian members and our families strong in our purpose and safe in your arms. A four-star general breaking barriers while navigating a course of service for the next generation of airmen. For today, Kathy Park, NBC News, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Well, General Marianne Miller is with us now. We are so honored by your presence and grateful for your service. And you keep reminding me all morning, you say, it's not about me, it's about them. It is about them. It's about them. They're our future. They're our future. When you look out at these young men and women, it was 40 years ago, you were standing where they're standing. What emotions do you have looking out there? You know, their whole life's in front of them. And good choices will get them on the right path and keep them on the right path. And surrounding themselves with great people, great friends, and stay committed to your path and your journey. And remember humility. That's the strength that you have within you. Speaking of great people, they have great people here. Their families are joining us, right? They're right there on the side. So we want to give the parents a shout out, too. And they're about to start their life of service. You've had such an incredible life of service. What do you think is the biggest lesson you've drawn after all of these years? You know, I think, you know, we can do the mission every day. We can have the best equipment in the world. We can be trained and equipped to do our job every single day. But at the end of it, it comes down to the human in the loop. And the human has got to be, these airmen have got to be the best that they can possibly be. And we're going to train them in equipment to do their mission. But when that goes away, as I said before, at the end of the day, it's what's in your heart. It's what's inside. That's what continues, right? So connect with each other. Serve each other. Life is about service. Life is about service.