Major General Cynthia Kirkland (Ret) to Speak at March 5 Meeting
Major General Cynthia N. Kirkland retired as the Adjutant General (TAG) for the State of Nevada in June 2009. As Adjutant General, she was the military Chief of Staff to the Governor and was responsible for both the federal and state missions of the Nevada National Guard. General Kirkland commanded more than 4,000 members of the Nevada Air and Army National Guard, including the Nevada Air National Guard's 152nd Airlift Wing, 152 Operational Support Flight and 152nd Intelligence Squadron and the Nevada Army Guard's armor, aviation and signal battalions, a medical detachment, a medium truck company, a heavy equipment maintenance company and the 72nd Military Police Company. (click on the headline of this article to get the balance of her resume)
She began her military career in 1973 when she enlisted in the US Navy. Serving as a Crypto-analyst, she saw duty in Florida, Guam and Rota, Spain. After leaving the Navy in 1977, she began her work with the US Veterans Administration where she spent the next 11 years as a Veterans Benefits Counselor working with veterans and assisting them with benefit processing.
During the same time she re-enlisted into the Nevada Air National Guard where she served in the Flight Operations Specialist field. In 1986, she was selected for a promotion and commission as an officer. After graduating from Officer training as a distinguished Graduate, she served in a variety of roles over the next 20+ years. Beginning as the Administrative Officer for the Flying Squadron, Commander of the Communication units, Public Affairs Officer for the State National Guard HQs, then as the Air Chief of Staff to the TAG.
Prior to her assignment as TAG, General Kirkland served as Standing Joint Force Headquarters Chief of Staff. As the Chief of Staff she was the principle management liaison between the National Guard Bureau, Adjutant General and all assigned Nevada National Guard components and units. Directed by the Chief, National Guard Bureau, in 2003, she oversaw and ensured the installation of the Nevada National Guard Joint Force Headquarters structure.While serving in the Pentagon during Operation Allied Force (Kosovo Campaign) she received a Joint Service Commendation Medal for her work as a Public Affairs Special Assistant while attached to the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Kirkland was the public affairs representative to the joint staff crisis action team and, on a daily basis, would update the joint staff in regard to Operation Allied Force.
General Kirkland received an Associate of Arts, Liberal Studies in 1982 from Truckee Meadows Community College, Reno, Nevada, and her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1992 from the University of Nevada Reno. She also graduated from the US Air Force Air Command and Staff College and the USAF Air War College.
Her Awards and decorations during service include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Service Stars) and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (with 1 Bronze Service Star) qualifying expert in both the M-9 and the M-16.
Since retiring in 2009, General Kirkland has spent her time enjoying all the adventures with her husband riding motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs, and just time relaxing at home.