Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col.) Bridgette Delaine Scott Griffin:

Lt. Col. Griffin graduated as Salutatorian from Blevins High School in May 1989. She received a Bachelor Degree of Business Administration Management from Henderson State University in 1996, Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Midwestern State University in 2008 and a Master Degree of Military Operational Art and Science from Air University in 2018. Since retirement Lt. Col. Griffin has earned her certification in Information Technology and is currently enrolled in the DeVry University Medical Billing and Coding program.

Her stellar military career started in December 1992, when she enlisted as an Airman First Class with the 188th Fighter Wing, Arkansas Air National Guard in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas and Technical School at Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, Texas where she excelled and achieved the red rope, the highest level a Tech School student leader can obtain. After training, Lt. Col. Griffin returned to the 188th Medical Group where she served as a Medical Service Specialist. In March 1998, Lt. Col. Griffin crossed trained and attended the training course for Clinical Laboratory Specialist at Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, Texas. In June 2005, Lt. Col. Griffin was pinned Second Lieutenant. She was enrolled in nursing school at Midwestern State University and working as the Assistant Manager of a Marriot Hotel chain. She was activated on orders during Hurricane Katrina and left her civilian life to become the Officer in Charge of Patient Administration during the evacuation of Hurricane Katrina victims to Fort Chaffee, Fort Smith, Arkansas.

In May 2006, Lt. Col. Griffin attended the Health Service Administration Course and was assigned as the 188th Medical Group, Medical Readiness Officer. In June 2010, she deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan where she was assigned to Task Force MED-East and 455th Expeditionary Medical Group, Craig Joint Theatre Hospital as the Air Force Commander and Army Staff Executive Officer and Public Affairs Representative. After four weeks, she was asked by the commander to stay in the position for one year versus the traditional six months for Air Force members. She was the point of contact for all government and foreign agencies congressional delegation, and distinguished visitors. In December 2010, she was hand selected by leadership to assist President Barack Obama present six Purple Heart Medals to Airmen and Soldiers. During this time, Lt. Col. Griffin was awarded the Bronze Star Medal becoming the first African American Female of the Arkansas Air National Guard to earn this medal.

In November 2013, she become the full-time 188th Medical Group Administrator where she had oversight of all members medical records as the Wing converted from a fighter unit to a remotely piloted aircraft unit. In June 2016, Lt. Col. Griffin accepted a position at the National Guard Bureau, Temple Army National Guard Readiness Center, Arlington, Virginia. She served as the Executive Officer to the Directorate of Domestic Operations. In June 2018, she returned to Arkansas and was assigned as the Deputy Director of Staff for two years at Camp Joseph T. Robinson, North Little Rock. In January 2020, she became the Executive Officer of the 189th Airlift Wing, Little Rock AFB, Jacksonville, Arkansas where she served during an unprecedented time of the nation amid a pandemic.

Lt. Col. Griffin’s military education includes the Medical Service Specialist, Clinical Laboratory Specialist, Medical Laboratory Technician, Airman Leadership School, Reserve Commissioned Officer Training, Health Service Administration Course, Medical Readiness Officer Course, Squadron Officer School, and Air Command and Staff Course.

Her awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service and Armed Forces Reserve Medal. In 2014, Lt. Col. Griffin earned the NAACP Roy Wilkins Renowned Service Award.

Lt. Col. Griffin retired in January 2023, after 30 years of service. She enjoys spending time with her husband of three years Jonathan Griffin in their home in Missouri City, Texas. Lt. Col. Griffin travels back to Arkansas regularly to take care of her parents, Bennie and Sally Scott, ensuring their appointments are up to date and taken care of. She volunteers with Harris County Justice of the Peace Judge Wanda Adams Eviction Court as one of their resource advocates. She also finds time to substitute teach with Fort Bend Independent School District. She is a Lifetime Member of NGAA and Lifetime Associate of EANGUS. Lt. Col. Griffin is a member of New Faith Church in Houston, Texas.