carol mutter
Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret) | Brownsburg, Indiana
Carol Mutter became the first woman in U.S. military history to achieve a three-star rank, breaking barriers throughout her 32-year career in the Marine Corps.
Commissioned as a second lieutenant in June 1967 upon graduating from Colorado State College (now the University of Northern Colorado), she specialized in operations, logistics, and space command, paving the way for future generations of women in the armed forces.
Throughout her career, she held key leadership roles, including commanding the 3rd Force Service Support Group in Okinawa, making her the first woman to command a major deployable tactical unit. She was also the first female officer at U.S. Space Command to qualify as a Command Center Crew Commander/Space Director.
In 1996, Mutter was promoted to lieutenant general, marking a historic moment for women in the military. After retiring in 1999, she remained an advocate for service members, chairing the Defense Department Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) and serving as president of the Women Marines Association.
Dedicated to preserving military history, Mutter served on the boards of the Indiana War Memorials Commission and the American Battlefield Monuments Commission. She has been inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame and the National Women’s Hall of Fame for her pioneering contributions to the military.
Committed to pursuing higher education, Mutter sought advance degrees with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics Education, a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, and a Master of Science in Business from Salve Regina University. She also received honorary doctorate degrees from both the University of Northern Colorado and Salve Regina University.
Mutter’s career is a testament to resilience, leadership, and dedication to service. Her groundbreaking achievements continue to inspire military personnel and civilians alike, reinforcing the expanding role of women in the highest ranks of military leadership.
joy kitashima
Sergeant Major, U.S. Marine Corps | Bloomington, Indiana
Sergeant Major Joy Kitashima made history as the first woman to serve as a force-level sergeant major in the United States Marine Corps, marking a groundbreaking milestone in her 28-year career.
In March 2023, Kitashima became the sergeant major of III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan, achieving the historical milestone.
Enlisting in May 1996, she began her service as a military police officer with assignments at Marine Corps Air Stations Futenma, Cherry Point, and Miramar. Over the years, she distinguished herself as a leader, mentor, and advocate, holding key roles across multiple commands.
Kitashima’s career has included combat deployments in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Unified Response in Haiti. She has also served with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, enhancing her expertise in military operations and leadership. Her extensive experience led to senior enlisted positions, including sergeant major of Marine Air Control Squadron 4, 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, and II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group.
Kitashima has been recognized for her leadership with numerous awards, including the Legion of Merit, four Meritorious Service Medals, and three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals.