In honor of International Women’s Day, we’re excited to spotlight some of the incredible women who have served or currently serve in the military or public service here at 5.11 Tactical. These women embody courage, resilience, and dedication and we’re honored to celebrate them by elevating their stories and showcasing their strength and leadership.

Jessica Lopez

Date of Service: 2020 – 2023

Position: 911 Center

Agency: Simi Valley Police Department/ Ventura County Fire Department

Jessica has been in customer service for eleven years and worked in retail for eight years before that. In November of 2020, she ventured down a new path and became a 911 dispatcher for 3 years.

It was an extremely difficult, but rewarding experience for Jessica.

“No one is calling 911 on a good day so you would spend twelve hours a day being the calm for somebody during their worst day of their lives,” she said. “The best part of the job was making an impact and providing emergency response services to those in need.”

In her spare time, Jessica enjoys Pilates, yoga, and surfing. Jessica has a four-year-old German shepherd and loves spending time with my family and friends.

Ami Rasmussen

Date of Service: 2008-2012

Position: 91B Light Wheeled Mechanic

Agency: Army/SPC

Decorated with a Medal of Achievement and an Army Service Medal, Ami pushed her boundaries by becoming an Interior Assembly Foreman for Kinkisharyo. There she was instrumental in the development of the interior of the passenger cars for the LA Metro. Her versatility continued into the retail space. As a hardworking single mom of two daughters and a niece whom she lives for, she leads by example to show them how that work pays off and that they are capable of achieving anything they work towards.

“I made it a mission to teach them that women can do anything they want (to) if they want it bad enough,” she said. Her youngest, inspired by her tenacity and following in her late father’s footsteps, is currently enrolled in Fire Tech with plans to become a firefighter.

In her spare time, Ami plays competitive women’s travel softball, loves working with wood and metal, and has an AA in photography.

Leilani Nivar

Date of Service: 2007- 2017

Position: Marine Aircraft Group 49 Ground Supply

Agency: Marines

Working in Ground Supply, Leilani’s mission was to ensure that her fellow Marines were guaranteed their gear and supplies needed to survive in the field. She worked tirelessly under high pressure to ensure mission success. During her military career, she earned a leadership role and participated in the largest annual USMC Reserve training exercise: Javelin Thrust. Leilani brings the tenacity and teamwork skills to her role with us at 5.11 Tactical going above and beyond with every team she works with.

Jocelyne Rios

Date of Service: 2015-2020

Position: 12B Combat Engineer

Agency: Army

Jocelyne served from 2015 – 2020 and was decorated with an Army Achievement Medal, Award of the Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and an Overseas Service Medal. She and her partner are dual military with her husband currently serving as a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force.

Following in her parents’ footsteps, Jocelyne was inspired to enlist by her father, who is still active, and by her mother, who became a veteran in 2011. Jocelyn was honorably discharged on medical grounds due to a heart condition and serious knee injury. She has two cats whom she describes as “spoiled brats” and is working toward a leadership role.