MILITARY

Army Reserve chief of staff to retire after more than 30 years of military service

Contributed by Lt. Col. Simon Flake
The Fayetteville Observer

Maj. Gen. Marion Garcia, chief of staff of U.S. Army Reserve Command, will retire from the Army this month after 32 years of service to the nation.

Garcia became Army Reserve chief of staff in 2019, with the responsibility for the Army Reserve Headquarters at Fort Bragg, Army Reserve staff at Fort Belvoir, Virginia; and Army Reserve staff at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

She is a 1987 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Military Police Corps.

Garcia is a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and a graduate of St. Pius X High School.

During her career, Garcia has served in every leadership position, from platoon leader to numerous command and key staff assignments.

She is a combat veteran with deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom – Cuba, Operation Iraqi Freedom – Iraq, Operation Restore Hope – Somalia and Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm – Southwest Asia.

Her military education includes the Military Police Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms Service Staff School, the Command and General Staff College, the United States Army War College, and the Advanced Joint Professional Military Education School.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in science from the United States Military Academy, a master’s in strategic studies from the United States Army War College, a Master of Science in veterinary epidemiology and public health from the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London, and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University.

Her awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with the Oak Leaf Cluster, the Parachutist Badge and the bronze German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

Garcia will be succeeded by Brig. Gen. Robert S. Cooley Jr.