Lorna Mahlock


Lorna M. Mahlock is the first Black woman to be nominated as a Brigadier general in the United States Marine Corps, which occurred in 2018. The signoff of the nomination, by President Donald Trump, was announced in a press release by U.S. Secretary of Defense General James Mattis. , BGen Mahlock is the Director, Command, Control, Communications and Computers and the Deputy Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer of the Marine Corps. Previously, she served as the Deputy Director of Operations, Plans, Policies, and Operation Directorate at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.

Early life and education

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, she immigrated to Brooklyn, New York and enlisted in the Marine Corps. She was selected for the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program, graduated from Marquette University and was commissioned in December 1991.

Career

Designated as an Air Traffic Control Officer, she earned certifications as a Federal Aviation Administration Tower Local Controller and a Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Instructor. She has commanded and led at various levels globally and in combat including but not limited to: Air Traffic Control Detachment Commander; Executive Officer - 1st Stinger Battery; Director - Marine Corps Instructional Management School; Air Control Officer - G3 Future Operations 1st Marine Aircraft Wing; Company Commander - Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom 1; Operations and Executive Officer - ; Director - Marine Air Command and Control System Experimental; Commanding Officer - Iraqi Freedom 8; Information Management Officer; J3 Land Operations Lead and Division Executive Officer, Headquarters European Command; Marine Corps Office of Legislative Affairs and Assistant Chief of Staff G6.
She holds a master's degree in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Oklahoma at Norman; a Masters in National Security and Strategic Studies with distinction from the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island; a Masters in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College; and a Masters Certificate in Information Operations from the Naval Postgraduate School. She is also a Higher Command and Staff Course graduate of the United Kingdom Joint Services Command and Staff College

Awards

Brigadier General Mahlock's personal awards include Legion of Merit; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Joint Service Achievement Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and Good Conduct Medal.