Major General Lorna M. Mahlock is a pioneer in the United States Marine Corps, recently confirmed for a historic third star that will make her the first Black woman in the branch to reach the rank of Lieutenant General.

Native Country and Early Life

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Mahlock immigrated to the United States in 1985 at the age of 17. Settling in Brooklyn, New York, she initially considered a career in nursing before a recruiter’s challenge led her to the military.

When and How She Started

Mahlock’s military journey began in 1985, just three months after her arrival in the U.S., when she enlisted in the Marine Corps.

Enlisted Beginnings: She started her career as a field radio operator and later worked as an air traffic controller.
Commissioning: Recognizing her leadership potential, she was selected for the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP).
Officer Rank: She earned a degree from Marquette University in 1991 and was commissioned as an officer in December of that year.

Breaking Barriers and Achievements

Throughout her career, Mahlock has achieved several historic “firsts” for Black women in the Marine Corps:

First Brigadier General (2018): She was the first Black woman nominated and confirmed to the rank of one-star general.
First Major General (2022): Confirmed by the Senate on December 15, 2022, she became the branch’s first Black female two-star general.
First Lieutenant General (Confirmed 2026): In early February 2026, the Senate confirmed her for promotion to three-star general to serve as the Deputy Commander of U.S. Cyber Command.
Cyber Leadership: Since January 2024, she has commanded the Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF), leading elite teams in defending national security systems.

Education and Awards

Mahlock is highly decorated, holding multiple advanced degrees and certifications:

Education: Master’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma, the Naval War College, and the U.S. Army War College.
Military Awards: Her honors include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

Explore her specific leadership roles during Operation Iraqi Freedom or her impact as the Marine Corps’ first female Chief Information Officer

During her rise to the top of the Marine Corps, Major General Mahlock’s impact was cemented through high-stakes operational leadership in the Middle East and a transformative stint as the branch’s top tech official.

Leadership in Operation Iraqi Freedom

During the peak of the Iraq War, Mahlock served as the Commanding Officer of Marine Air Control Squadron 1 (MACS-1).

Operational Scope: She led her unit during multiple deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where she was responsible for the management of tactical air traffic and the coordination of air support for ground troops.
Strategic Impact: Her ability to maintain seamless communication and air safety in a combat environment earned her the Bronze Star, a recognition of her heroic and meritorious service in a combat zone.

The Marine Corps’ First Female CIO

In 2018, Mahlock stepped into a critical role at the Pentagon as the Director of Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4) and the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Marine Corps.

A Historic Appointment: She was the first woman to hold this position, making her the primary advisor to the Commandant on all digital and information technology matters.
Modernizing the Corps: She spearheaded the “Information Environment” strategy, shifting the Marine Corps toward more secure, cloud-based data systems and preparing the force for the future of modern electronic warfare.

Commanding the Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF)

Since January 2024, Mahlock has applied her technical expertise to the highest level of national security as the Commander of the Cyber National Mission Force.

Elite Teams: She oversees thousands of military and civilian personnel organized into “Cyber Strike Teams.”
Defensive Action: Her command is tasked with “Defend Forward” operations—proactively hunting for malicious actors in foreign cyberspace before they can attack U.S. infrastructure or elections.

Would you like to see a list of the specific medals and decorations she has earned throughout her career, or more details on her upcoming role at U.S. Cyber Command?