Lorna Mahlock

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Mahlock immigrated to Brooklyn, New York and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. She was selected for the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program, graduated from Marquette University and was commissioned in December 1991.

Designated as an Air Traffic Control Officer, Mahlock earned certifications as a Federal Aviation Administration Tower Local Controller and a Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Instructor. She has commanded and led at various levels globally and in combat including but not limited to: Air Traffic Control Detachment Commander; Executive Officer 1st Stinger Battery; Director Marine Corps Instructional Management School; Air Control Officer G3 Future Operations 1st Marine Aircraft Wing; Company Commander Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom 1; Operations and Executive Officer Operation Iraqi Freedom 2; Director Marine Air Command and Control System Experimental; Commanding Officer Iraqi Freedom 8; Information Management Officer; J3 Land Operations Lead and Division Executive Officer, Headquarters European Command; Marine Corps Office of Legislative Affairs and Assistant Chief of Staff G6.^[7]

In December 2022, she received her second star and became the first Black female Major General in the U.S. Marine Corps.^[6]

Mahlock holds a master's degree in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Oklahoma at Norman; a Master in National Security and Strategic Studies with distinction from the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island; a Master in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College; and a Master Certificate in Information Operations from the Naval Postgraduate School. She is also a Higher Command and Staff Course graduate of the United Kingdom Joint Services Command and Staff College.^[7]

On December 15, 2025, she was nominated to be Deputy Commander of United States Cyber Command. Mahlock was confirmed by the Senate on January 30, 2026 ^[8]as the first Black woman to be appointed as a lieutenant general in the United States Marine Corps.

Her personal decorations include:^[9]