Influential Woman · United States Navy

Elizabeth Cermak

Student Naval Aviator, US Navy

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor of Science with a focus in Political Science Degree United States Naval Academy Degree 2025

Her Story

About Elizabeth

I commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy in May 2025 after graduating from the United States Naval Academy, where I spent four years developing a strong foundation in leadership. I earned my Bachelor of Science degree with a main focus in political science from the Naval Academy. Currently, I am a student naval aviator in flight school, training to become a qualified pilot. My main areas of expertise include leadership and political science, with aviation training underway. I am very fortunate to have been raised in a supportive family environment that allowed me to choose my own path, and I ultimately chose to serve my country. While I have family members who served, including an uncle who did a few years and my stepdad, my decision to attend the Naval Academy was my own. My most notable professional achievement thus far is my commissioning and graduation from the Naval Academy in May 2025.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Elizabeth

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to my family. I was very fortunate the way I was raised, and I think my family was a big part of that. They supported me through everything I did, and they let me choose what I wanted to do. Ultimately, I chose to serve the country, but it was because I was motivated from the people that stood next to me and pushed me forward when I was younger. I have an uncle who did a few years in the military and my stepdad served, though he wasn't my stepdad when I decided to go to the Naval Academy. I also have a close family friend who maybe influenced me a little bit.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would just say that it's very possible, and that they're very able to do it if they stick their mind to it. It's definitely a difficult profession, and it's not easy for anyone, but the number of women is definitely significantly lower in the field that I'm in. I think being able to be confident and assertive shows that you're competent in your job, and if I can do it, they 100% can do it as well. I would also add that positive positivity goes a long way. I find a balance between being assertive and being positive in a way that presents yourself professionally.

03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I think the biggest challenge is that things are unpredictable, and you have to be ready for change. Whether that be current events or just the flexibility of being in the military and being able to move, and pick up and move with your family, or move away from your family. I think that you have to be very independent. It's a very team-driven job, but you also have to have some independence to be able to function.

04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

I think honesty is most important to me as a person with my relationships and my friendships. I think that if there's not honesty, you don't have much, if anything, a foundation of a relationship, and that's for me in life. I think that's gotten me to where I am today, and I think that will continue to hold true throughout a career in the military. You need to be able to work with people that you trust, and that you make sure that they are doing what they say they're doing for success of a mission, but that's also for safety of a mission. Because at the end of the day, you're trusting other people and they're trusting you with their lives. Alongside that is commitment, or loyalty. Once you commit, that you stick with your word, and you're transparent with that. And then I think positivity, or optimism.

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