Raliene Banks was born and raised on the island of Guam. She completed her degree from Dowling College, New York in just 3 ½ years, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Aeronautics and Applied Mathematics. In 2014, she was awarded a Master’s in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University.

At age 24, she was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force and was selected to attend Undergraduate Pilot Training at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Florida followed by Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Raliene spent the past 13 years as an Air Force Pilot and has flown the C-17 transport jet, the remote RQ-4 reconnaissance aircraft, and the KC-135 aerial refueler.

Raliene is no stranger to adversity. At a young age, she survived an abusive relationship, and in 2019, she developed Graves’ Disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid and prohibits her from flying for the Air Force. She refused to let those challenges get her down and decided to transform her pain into purpose with pageantry. Raliene draws from personal experience to inspire others with her platform, “Take Flight Today.” The purpose of “Take Flight Today” is threefold: it empowers, promotes aviation, and educates others on how to promote resiliency within their communities.

Raliene continues to serve on active duty in the Air Force and is stationed in the National Capital Region. She currently resides in Washington DC with her husband, Joshua, and two cats. Together, Raliene and Joshua established Banks Property Team and run multiple short and long-term rental properties.

Raliene is passionate about promoting “Take Flight Today” and would love to speak about it at your next event! To request an appearance, contact her via Instagram @ralienebanks or @mrsregencyintl.