After 20 years in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, I retired as a lieutenant colonel in June 2020. Originally commissioned as a logistics officer, I also served as a policy analyst, oral historian, operations planner and research branch head. I deployed to Iraq (2003) and Afghanistan (2013), served as platoon and company commanders and as a staff officer at Headquarters, Marine Corps. In my civilian career, I had been a Presidential Management Fellow with the Department of the Navy in Washington, D.C. I concluded my career as faculty with the Joint Forces Staff College.

My research and writing revolve around the history of women in the Marine Corps. The genesis of my current project began when I served as the Research Branch Head in the Marine Corps Force Innovation Office (MCFIO) (2014-2016). This directly supported research into the implications of and policy development related to the integration of women into Marine Corps ground combat arms.

Currently living in Tampa, Florida, I am finally pursuing the book which so many have encouraged me to write. My first published an article appeared in the International Journal of Naval History online in 2016: Female Marines Guard the Embassies

My educational background includes a master’s degree from George Mason University in 2017, specializing in U.S. Military History, with concentrations in Public History and Women’s Studies. I completed my first master’s degree in Security Policy Studies from the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs in August 2009 and completed a certificate in Legislative Affairs from Georgetown University in 2010.  I received her undergraduate degree in History from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts in 2000.

My personal awards include a Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, a Presidential Management Fellowship with the Chief of Naval Operations and a Career Development Fellowship from the George Washington University.