First Active-Duty Miss America Reflects on Pioneering Year Balancing Military and Pageantry

For 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh, 2024 was a year of unprecedented firsts. Marsh, the first active-duty Miss America, navigated the opposing worlds of military service and pageantry with ease, redefining both.

The 23-year-old Air Force officer, who was crowned Miss America in January, swiftly learned how to deal with the logistical and cultural hurdles of her dual existence. At one NASCAR event, she found herself alternating between her Air Force combat uniform and Miss America pageant clothes, emphasizing the extreme difference in appearance standards.

"I couldn't wear lashes, a giant ponytail, and red lipstick in uniform," Marsh explained, underscoring the careful balance.

Marsh, a 2023 Air Force Academy graduate and future Harvard scholar, collaborated with her chain of command to develop a unique public relations position. This enabled her to combine Miss America engagements with Air Force outreach, taking part in 106 events promoting military service to students, parents, and influencers.

Her dual duty frequently provided unexpected situations, such as being recognized by other service members while running errands. "It's great to connect, but it's also a bit stressful with Miss America's appearance standards," she told me.

Marsh reflects on the mutual benefits of her trailblazing year, which paved the path for others to combine military duty and public-facing employment. Her tenure expires in January. "We've found an amazing way to overlap both jobs and reach the people we want," she told me.

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