The 2024 Miss America Also Happens to Be an Active Duty Air Force Officer

Madison Marsh, after being crowned Miss America at a ceremony in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 14, 2024. Courtesy of Miss America

In her early teens, Madison Marsh attended a space camp and met several astronauts. “I just fell in love with the idea of being the first woman on Mars,” she said. So she took flying lessons at age 15 and joined the Air Force Academy to work toward her goal. She loved the thrill of flying and became an Air Force officer. When Marsh, 22, was crowned Miss America in January, she became the first Miss America to also be an active duty member of the military.

She hopes her win will show people that you can achieve anything you set your heart to, and that women can embrace their feminine and strong sides in the service of others. “I love being able to lead others and serve in something that’s bigger than just me,” she said.

Air Force 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh poses in front of a glider at the U.S. Air Force Academy, in December 2023, shortly before her Miss America win. Adalyn Greene

Ms. Marsh prepares for her familiarization flight at the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. William R. Lewis

Q&A with Madison Marsh

American Essence: How do you plan to use your platform as Miss America?

Ms. Marsh: The most important role for me this year as Miss America is to support research on pancreatic cancer on a national level. My mom was Whitney Marsh. She died of pancreatic cancer when she was only 41 years old. There were just 9 months between her diagnosis and her death. My national level goals include diversifying the ways we raise money and lobbying for legislation to get early detection standards implemented nationwide.

On the days that I feel down and not motivated, I think of my mom. If she can get up and make herself go run 10 miles after recovering from chemo treatment after chemo treatment, then I can get up. I feel lucky that I still get to be here.”

AE: What does the pageant mean to you?

Ms. Marsh: The first Miss America was in 1921 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. I think a lot of people might say that pageants are very superficial, but the Miss America organization is so much more than looks. The Miss America opportunity is about scholarship: they’re one of the largest providers of scholarships anywhere in the world. They are about leadership and community service.

I started competing in pageants in my freshman year at the Air Force Academy because I saw my cousin doing it. I’d lost my mom to pancreatic cancer the year before, and I was struggling with my identity and working through grief. I knew how important it would be to have a greater platform for my mom’s story. That’s really why I started doing pageants. 

Ms. Marsh cheers on competitors at the Big Hoopla STEM Challenge basketball
game in Dayton, Ohio, on March 19, 2024. Miriam Thurber

AE: What are your plans regarding your military service? 

Ms. Marsh: I plan to stay with the military. I’ve got my service that I owe to them; they’ve given me so much, and I want to be able to give back to them more so. I love the people, I love being able to lead others and serve in something that’s bigger than just me. 

I’m not a military pilot but I love flying. It’s one of my favorite things. It taught me a lot about relying on my training and being confident in myself. I’m not able to do any flying at all right now, unfortunately, but hopefully after things die down this year, I’ll be able to use the scholarship money I earn from Miss America to earn some more pilot education.

Ms. Marsh with an Air Force colleague. Ms. Marsh is currently working on her master’s degree in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. William R. Lewis

Fun Facts About Madison Marsh

Hometown: Fort Smith, Arkansas

Position in the Air Force: Second lieutenant

Duties at the Air Force: Public affairs, recruitment efforts

Miss America credentials: Representing Colorado

Ms. Marsh reacts to her win, at the ceremony held at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in Orlando, Fla. Courtesy of Miss America

This article was originally published in American Essence magazine.