Military Appreciation Month falls in May each year.

Some of the national highlights include Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day, when men and women who have served throughout American history and all who now serve, and their families, as well as those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, are remembered, recognized and appreciated.

According to a recent General Officer Announcement by Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis, Marine Corps Colonel Lorna M. Mahlock has been nominated for appointment by the President of the United States to the rank of brigadier general.

Col. Mahlock is currently serving as the deputy director of Operations, Plans, Policies, and Operations Directorate, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, District of Columbia.

The Marine Corps Times says the Defense Department’s April 10 release of slated general promotions included a historic first for the Corps.

If confirmed, Col. Mahlock will become the first black woman to don the rank of brigadier general.

Mahlock graduated from the University of Marquette in 1991. According to The Marquette Wire, she joined the Corps in 1985 and was commissioned in 1991 upon graduation.

She served in Iraq as commanding officer in 2009 and was also stationed in Okinawa, Japan, where she was overseeing military and civilian personnel and equipment in support of U.S. interests in the Asia-Pacific region.

Mahlock has received a number of awards including the Iraq Campaign Medal, Legion of Merit Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

In 2016, she discussed her experience in the Marine Corps as part of a video dedicated to Women’s History Month.

“Over my 30 years in the Marine Corps, my experience in terms of how women have evolved has been very positive,” she said in the video. “It’s been a steady rise. I’m very, very hopeful.”