UW grad Tracy Garrett earns her second USMC star

Marine Corps Reserve Brig. Gen. Tracy L. Garrett, a Seattle native and 1978 University of Washington graduate who in October became commander of both Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, was nominated Wednesday by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to be promoted to major general.

Prior to overseeing both the Europe and Africa Marine commands, Garrett was Inspector General of the Marine Corps, the first woman to hold that top post. She also has served on the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services.

Garrett in November oversaw ceremonies that established the Africa command, only a month after she took charge of Marine Corps Forces, Europe.

According to Stars and Stripes newspaper, Garrett said at the time, "The primary focus of the new command will be on engagement -- through theater security cooperation activities -- bringing U.S. Marine Corps competencies to the table in support of U.S. Africa Command," said Garrett during the ceremony.

The Europe and Africa Marines she leads are responsible for Marine related-training exercises, including those with other nations, operations and humanitarian assistance, and have a focus on counter-terrorism and peacekeeping missions.

They are part of the broader U.S. Africa Command established in October in recognition of Africa's growing strategic value, according to Defense Department publications.

Garrett's biography says she has been activated from the reserves several times to fill top jobs. In September 2004 she was activated to serve in Iraq as chief of staff of the 1st Force Service Support Group.

Garrett was commissioned in 1978 through the UW's Naval ROTC program, her first active duty assignment with the 1st Marine Division.

Garrett's continuing education since the UW includes a masters degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. in 1998.

Ellie