Margaret D. Klein
Encyclopedia
Margaret DeLuca Klein is a United States Navy
officer
. She currently holds the rank
of rear admiral
is commander Expeditionary Strike Group
Five.
She previously was the 82nd Commandant of Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy
from December 2006 to June 2008 and was responsible for the military and professional development of the Brigade of Midshipmen. She was the first woman to ever hold this position and was second in command at the Naval Academy. She was nominated for the rank of rear admiral (lower half) on 1 April 2008;.
. She was commissioned in 1981 upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy
with a Bachelor of Science
. Klein was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 1983 and reported to the "Ironmen" of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Three at Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii
. There she qualified as Mission Commander and Airborne Communications Officer in the EC-130Q. In 1987, she reported to the Staff of Commander, Naval Air Forces, United States Atlantic Fleet, where she was responsible for ensuring enlisted
personnel readiness. In 1988, Klein transferred to the Naval Military Personnel Command, where she served as Aviation Initial Assignments Officer and VQ Detailer.
In 1991, Klein checked back in with the Ironmen for her department head tour, flying the E-6A as the squadron moved from Hawaii
to Tinker Air Force Base
in Oklahoma City
. From Oklahoma
, she was selected to serve in the White House Military Office
in the Presidential Contingency Plans Directorate. She then screened for aviation command. Klein was selected as a Brookings Legislative Fellow in 1997 and served on the staff of Senator Olympia Snowe
briefing defense issues.
In 1999, Klein received a Master of Education
degree from the University of Southern Maine
. The same year, Klein returned to the Ironmen for a third tour to serve as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer. The Ironmen won the Battle E and the Maintenance Excellence Award during her command tour. After leaving squadron command, Klein served aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)
Battle Group Staff as the N6. During her tour on the Carrier Group Five staff, the Battle Group participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Klein returned to Oklahoma to serve as Deputy, then Wing Commander of Task Force 124 and Strategic Communications Wing One. Upon completion of major command, she was assigned to the staff of Commander, Carrier Strike Group Eight where she served as the Chief of Staff for the Eisenhower Strike Group until her selection as the 82nd Commandant of Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Klein's personal awards include the Legion of Merit
(two awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal
, the Meritorious Service Medal
(three awards), the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal
(three awards) and the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal
.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
officer
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
. She currently holds the rank
Military rank
Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...
of rear admiral
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
is commander Expeditionary Strike Group
Expeditionary Strike Group
The Expeditionary Strike Group, or ESG, is a concept introduced in the U.S. military in the early 1990s, based on the Naval Expeditionary Task Force. The U.S. Navy fields 12 Expeditionary Strike Groups and 11 Carrier Strike Groups, in addition to surface action groups...
Five.
She previously was the 82nd Commandant of Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
from December 2006 to June 2008 and was responsible for the military and professional development of the Brigade of Midshipmen. She was the first woman to ever hold this position and was second in command at the Naval Academy. She was nominated for the rank of rear admiral (lower half) on 1 April 2008;.
Biography
Klein was born in Weymouth, MassachusettsWeymouth, Massachusetts
The Town of Weymouth is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, Weymouth had a total population of 53,743. Despite its city status, it is formally known as the Town of Weymouth...
. She was commissioned in 1981 upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
. Klein was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 1983 and reported to the "Ironmen" of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Three at Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. There she qualified as Mission Commander and Airborne Communications Officer in the EC-130Q. In 1987, she reported to the Staff of Commander, Naval Air Forces, United States Atlantic Fleet, where she was responsible for ensuring enlisted
Enlisted rank
An enlisted rank is, in most Militaries, any rank below a commissioned officer or warrant officer. The term can also be inclusive of non-commissioned officers...
personnel readiness. In 1988, Klein transferred to the Naval Military Personnel Command, where she served as Aviation Initial Assignments Officer and VQ Detailer.
In 1991, Klein checked back in with the Ironmen for her department head tour, flying the E-6A as the squadron moved from Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
to Tinker Air Force Base
Tinker Air Force Base
Tinker Air Force Base is a major U.S. Air Force base, with tenant U.S. Navy and other Department of Defense missions, located in the southeast Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area, directly south of the suburb of Midwest City, Oklahoma.-Overview:...
in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
. From Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, she was selected to serve in the White House Military Office
White House Military Office
The White House Military Office , an entity of the Executive Office of the President, provides military support for White House functions, including food service, Presidential transportation, medical support and emergency medical services, and hospitality services...
in the Presidential Contingency Plans Directorate. She then screened for aviation command. Klein was selected as a Brookings Legislative Fellow in 1997 and served on the staff of Senator Olympia Snowe
Olympia Snowe
Olympia Jean Snowe , née Bouchles, is the senior United States Senator from Maine and a member of the Republican Party. Snowe has become widely known for her ability to influence the outcome of close votes, including whether to end filibusters. She and her fellow Senator from Maine, Susan Collins,...
briefing defense issues.
In 1999, Klein received a Master of Education
Master of Education
The Master of Education is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in a large number of countries. This degree in education often includes the following majors: curriculum and instruction, counseling, and administration. It is often conferred for educators advancing in...
degree from the University of Southern Maine
University of Southern Maine
The University of Southern Maine is a multi-campus public urban comprehensive university and part of the University of Maine System. USM's three primary campuses are located in Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston...
. The same year, Klein returned to the Ironmen for a third tour to serve as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer. The Ironmen won the Battle E and the Maintenance Excellence Award during her command tour. After leaving squadron command, Klein served aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)
USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)
The supercarrier USS Kitty Hawk , formerly CVA-63, was the second naval ship named after Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the site of the Wright brothers' first powered airplane flight...
Battle Group Staff as the N6. During her tour on the Carrier Group Five staff, the Battle Group participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Klein returned to Oklahoma to serve as Deputy, then Wing Commander of Task Force 124 and Strategic Communications Wing One. Upon completion of major command, she was assigned to the staff of Commander, Carrier Strike Group Eight where she served as the Chief of Staff for the Eisenhower Strike Group until her selection as the 82nd Commandant of Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Klein's personal awards include the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(two awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
The Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense...
, the Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
(three awards), the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Commendation Medal
The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may...
(three awards) and the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Achievement Medal
The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service...
.