Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Lorna M. Mahlock has been nominated for appointment to the grade of major general. Mahlock is currently serving as deputy director of cybersecurity for combat support, National Security Agency, Fort Meade, Maryland.

According to a General Officer press release issued December 6, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced that the president nominated Mahlock for appointment to the grade of major general. The Pentagon announced Mahlock's most recent nomination on Dec. 6, and the Senate confirmed her as major general on Thursday.

Marine Corps Times noted the Marine Corps has the lowest percentage of women among its troops at 9%.

Margaret A. Brewer (1930-2013) was the first woman in the United States Marine Corps to reach general officer rank. Angela Salinas was the first Hispanic woman to become a general in the Marines in 2006. Mahlock is the first African American woman to be promoted brigadier general.

Mahlock immigrated to New York, at the age of 17 in 1985, according to a biography by Marquette University. She enlisted in the Marine Corps three months later and became an air traffic controller.

She received her commission through the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program in December 1991 after graduating from Marquette, according to a biography by the Women Marines Association. She has amassed multiple higher degrees, including two master’s degrees in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College and the Naval Postgraduate School, Marine Corps Times previously reported.

Mahlock was first nominated to the grade of brigadier general in 2018. She has since served as the Marine Corps’ chief information officer and director of command, control, communications and computers.

“Ordinary people can do extraordinary things when they’re part of a team,” Mahlock told We Are Marquette, which publishes stories from the Marquette University community. “Every day I meet young people who reverse mentor me,” Mahlock says. “I want to help ensure that the bright young Marine with the best idea has a voice, an opportunity or a seat at the table.”