Jayme Lachner broke a glass ceiling.
The 33-year-old Navy veteran serves as president of the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 61 in Chula Vista, a position previously held by men since its beginnings in 1947.
“I actually ran (for president) because I wanted to be the first female (president) of the Fleet Reserve Association,” she said. “I thought it would be a neat thing to accomplish and it’s worked out wonderfully.”
When she ran for the position last March she did not have an opponent so she was the automatic winner, but Lachner said that does not take away from her historic achievement.
The Fleet Reserve Association is a veteran’s nonprofit organization for active duty, retired, reserved or honorably discharged veterans. The nonprofit is open to members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps. and Coast Guard. Members of the Fleet Reserve pay annual dues of $40.
Dependents of these members can also join the Fleet Reserve Association.
As president, it is Lachner’s duty to oversee the local branch and manage its day-to-day operations.
“It’s basically my responsibility to make sure that everything runs smoothly,” she said.
The local Fleet Reserve Association was established to be a resource for veterans as well as a way for them to participate in philanthropy.
The Chula Vista branch sponsors local sports teams in Chula Vista, this year they sponsored an all-girls’ soccer team. Another way they give back is by providing college scholarships to winners of their essay contest.
On a national level, representatives of the Fleet Reserve meet with Congress to advocate for better benefits and pay for military veterans.
Being the first woman at the helm has helped bring a different perspective at the organization, Lachner said.
“I think it’s helped open it up to other female veterans,” she said. “We’ve kind of been looked over in the past. When you think of veterans in the military, you think of men going to war and fighting. You don’t think of females behind the scenes doing a lot of the work as well.
“So, with me being the first female president ever I think it helps the other female veterans in the community feel more welcomed.”
She said the difference she makes is due not only to her gender but her age as well, as many of the group’s members are older. Lachner said she is one of the youngest members with the average age being around 70 years-old and the oldest member aged 97.
She said since she has been president she has noticed that membership amongst a younger crowd has increased.
Stan Jasek,71, a Fleet Reserve member and retired marine called it a “memorable moment” when she was elected the club’s president.
Jasek credits Lachner with creating activities to bring camaraderie such as trivia night.
He also said she has developed a relationship with the national president of the Fleet Reserve Association, a relationship that has not been established before.
“She’s been super,” he said. “She’s been very active, very interested and it’s worked out very well.”
Jasek said having a woman president was long overdue.
“The idea that women in the military are expanding such that they are certainly more accepted today than they were years ago,” he said. “Her stepping up to the plate when we needed a president was a very historic occasion.”
Lachner joined the U.S. Navy in 2004 and got out in 2008. The navy brought her to San Diego from her home state of Missouri.
Lachner was, stationed on the USS Ronald Regan where she went on two deployments as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
As the first woman president, Lachner said she has received a lot of support from her peers in the veteran’s community
“It’s been a real big deal for us to have a female (president),” she said.
