{"id":20919,"date":"2026-06-13T16:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/morefaith.in\/?p=20919"},"modified":"2026-06-12T15:13:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T09:43:57","slug":"%e0%b0%ae%e0%b0%a6%e0%b1%8d%e0%b0%af%e0%b0%82-%e0%b0%a4%e0%b0%be%e0%b0%97%e0%b0%a8%e0%b0%a8%e0%b1%8d%e0%b0%a8%e0%b0%be%e0%b0%a8%e0%b1%81-%e0%b0%85%e0%b0%af%e0%b0%bf%e0%b0%a8%e0%b0%be-%e0%b0%97","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/morefaith.in\/en\/beliefs\/%e0%b0%ae%e0%b0%a6%e0%b1%8d%e0%b0%af%e0%b0%82-%e0%b0%a4%e0%b0%be%e0%b0%97%e0%b0%a8%e0%b0%a8%e0%b1%8d%e0%b0%a8%e0%b0%be%e0%b0%a8%e0%b1%81-%e0%b0%85%e0%b0%af%e0%b0%bf%e0%b0%a8%e0%b0%be-%e0%b0%97\/","title":{"rendered":"She was told that if she didn't drink alcohol she wouldn't be admitted, and now she's a great fighter pilot."},"content":{"rendered":"

Latter-day Saint Woman<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 min read\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of their training, fighter pilots receive an official nickname, known as a call sign, and it is a major event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These badges aren't something pilots can choose for themselves; they're assigned by their peers and are usually based on personality, a weakness, or even an embarrassing mistake\u2014all as part of military camaraderie. Once assigned, that badge generally accompanies the airman throughout their career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contrary to movie nicknames like \"Maverick\" or \"Iceman,\" it's more common to receive names like \"Meatloaf,\" \"Bus,\" or \"Sidewalk,\" each with a memorable story behind it, according to a 2022 news report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When First Lieutenant Savannah Raskey was about to receive her call sign, she was prepared to accept anything. However, she prayed repeatedly that it would be something that would help her represent her faith and her identity as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI prayed for a calling sign that I could use to reflect God\u2019s light and love,\u201d Raskey said. \u201cI didn\u2019t\n serve a traditional mission, but I \nfeel like I was put here to serve in another way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her prayers were answered when she was assigned the call sign \u201cSista\u201d (little sister), a name with deep spiritual significance for her. This nickname has become an essential part of her identity , not only as a fighter pilot but also as an ambassador for her faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s amazing to wear that label every day ,\u201d she commented. \u201cWhen I attend air shows or meet people, I introduce myself as 'Sista,' and that constantly reminds me of my priorities and how I should interact with others in a way that pleases God . \u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An unexpected path to the heavens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, being a fighter pilot wasn't part of Raskey's original plans. She grew up in Orlando, Florida, in a predominantly Latter-day Saint family, with a non-member father who was also a pilot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although her father wanted her to fly, Savannah dreamed of studying opera and becoming a singer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 18, she joined the Utah Air National Guard, intending to challenge herself and be part of something bigger, performing maintenance duties. Ten years passed before she decided to give flying a try, after her father stopped pressuring her. That's when she took a flying lesson, and everything changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was hooked immediately,\u201d she said. \u201cI realized that what was holding me back was thinking I wasn\u2019t capable enough. But something inside me knew that, with hard work, I could achieve anything I set my mind to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although her passion for singing remained, in 2017 she auditioned for America's Got Talent and advanced to the first round. However, when her second audition coincided with an interview for a pilot position, she had to make a decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI thought about what would bring me the most joy at the end of the day, and I knew that serving my country was the right thing to do,\u201d she explained. \u201cI wanted to do my best to protect those who defend us, my family, and our freedoms in this incredible country . \u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Strengthened by faith<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During her Air Force career, Raskey has faced challenges that have strengthened her faith . One such moment was during boot camp, where she prayed every night by her bedside. Her fellow soldiers, noticing her habit, began asking her to pray for them as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI discovered that this connection with God was something special that not everyone had, and I realized how much heavenly support She could offer ,\u201d she recalled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The path to becoming a fighter pilot wasn't easy, but her faith was her rock. In the midst of the hardships of training, she decided that the Gospel of Jesus Christ would be her number one priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I put my faith above my desire to be a pilot, my testimony blossomed ,\u201d she explained. \u201cWhat matters most is what lasts forever, and that is my testimony. I don\u2019t base my worth on being a fighter pilot, but on being a daughter of God . \u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the military, Raskey has had to stand firm in her beliefs. On one occasion, she was told she wouldn't be accepted as a fighter pilot if she didn't drink alcohol . She remained true to her principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSometimes it seems like you have to fit into a mold to be accepted, but I\u2019ve found that the more I hold to my faith, the more respect I receive . \u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inspired to rise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In times of difficulty, Raskey has found comfort in messages from Church leaders, such as Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, whose experience as a pilot inspires her. In addition, words spoken by the late Jon M. Huntsman, an Area Seventy, during a BYU devotional have served as guidance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGod didn\u2019t put us here to fail. You and the Lord, working together, can accomplish anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As she flies through the skies, Savannah Raskey feels a special connection to her Creator. She loves the challenge of her work, and even more so, the certainty that her true identity lies in being a daughter of God .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeing a fighter pilot is what I do, but being a disciple of Jesus Christ is who I am,\u201d she concluded. \u201cSeeing God\u2019s hand in every struggle and triumph is what truly strengthens me . \u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

resorce  Deseret News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may also be interested in<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n