Both women say the Air Force World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) helped make their Olympic dreams reality
IOC via Getty (2)
NEED TO KNOW
- Staff Sergeant Kelly Curtis, mother of 2-year-old Maeve, races skeleton and says she’s flipping between “mom brain” and race-day intensity
- Air Force Senior Airman Jasmine Jones, a single mom to 5-year-old Jade, hurtles down icy bobsled tracks on Feb. 20, armed with her “secret weapon”
- Both athletes credit the Air Force World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) with turning Olympic dreams into reality, all while juggling motherhood and military service
Team USA’s top female bobsled pusher, Jasmine Jones, loves to joke — until it’s race time.
“When it’s time to lock in, I lock in,” she says. “That’s my secret weapon.”
The 29-year-old will make her Olympic debut Friday, Feb. 20, bringing years of sweat, sacrifice and sheer grit to the world stage. But balancing motherhood and elite- level training? That was a whole different challenge.
“I was really struggling to figure out times when I was going to eat, or when Jade was going to eat, or how I was going to even train,” Jones says, speaking of life before joining the Air Force’s World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) in 2023.
Now a senior airman stationed in Lake Placid, N.Y., Jones trains full-time while representing both the U.S. Air Force and Team USA.
“This program and what it’s done for me — it’s truly amazing,” she says.
WCAP serves as a recruiting tool for Air Force and Space Force members, open to those who rank at the top of their sports. Three WCAP athletes are competing in the Milan Olympics, as 14 train for the 2028 L.A. Olympics.
Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty
When not competing or training, Jones serves as a material management specialist, supporting global Air Force missions by managing complex supply systems worldwide.
“I have my days where it is a struggle of just trying to balance everything,” Jones admits. But through WCAP, she says, she’s able to stay on top of not only her physical training, but her mental health as well.
“I wasn’t afraid to even ask for help,” she adds, grateful for the Air Force-provided service.
Fellow Olympian Staff Sgt. Kelly Curtis, 37, understands that balancing act all too well.
The married mom of 2-year-old Maeve trains at Aviano Air Base in Italy while racing skeleton — hurtling head-first at over 80 mph. At the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Curtis became Team USA’s first Black skeleton athlete.
A former heptathlete, Curtis discovered skeleton after college and has represented the U.S. in numerous World Cups. She joined the Air Force in 2020 and entered WCAP following basic training.
“I’ve had my eyes set on these Milan Cortina Games since I enlisted,” she admits.
When she’s not sliding down ice tracks, Curtis works as a knowledge operations management specialist, coordinating vital missile operations data. She began competing in her second Olympic Games on Feb. 13.
AP Photo/Matthias Schrader
“It’s, hands down, the best job in the Air Force,” Curtis says, noting that fellow airmen sometimes drive hours to cheer her on.
She jokes about having “mom brain” most of the time, focused on Maeve. But on race day, everything shifts.
“Either I have a [skeleton] sliding brain or a mom brain, and sometimes I cannot believe I can get everything together at the same time,” she jokes.
Both Curtis and Jones — who laughs that she enjoys anime and watching Netflix — say they’re excited about a new Air Force initiative encouraging Americans to send messages of encouragement directly to the competing airmen.
Fans can share support by posting a video on Instagram and tagging @usaf_recruiting, by submitting a written message through a secure online portal at olympics.sandboxx.us, or by sending an email to AFAC.PA.SocialMedia@us.af.mil.
All letters will be printed and securely hand-delivered to Curtis and Jones in the Olympic Village. Messages are reviewed prior to delivery to ensure appropriateness and security.
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“Our Airmen exhibit this level of commitment every day in uniform while serving their nation; knowing the people they serve are behind them matters,” says Lt. Gen. Clark Quinn. “These letters are a reminder that even on the world’s biggest stage, they are part of something larger than themselves.”
Curtis says getting mail from supportive fans will provide a huge boost, noting she gets homesick sometimes living in Europe. Competing in the Olympics makes the sacrifice worth it.
“I’m really looking forward to these games,” she says. “I look forward to putting on a show for everybody.”
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