The Higher Education of the Army’s First African American Two-Star General

GenNadjaWestNadja Y. West was recently promoted to Major General of the U.S. Army. She is the first African American woman on active duty to receive a second star. General West serves as the deputy chief of staff of the U.S. Army Medical Command.

General West is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. There, she earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering. She is a graduate of the medical school at George Washington University in the nation’s capital. General West also holds a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the National Defense University.

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4 COMMENTS

  1. Almost correct… the first AA female to be promoted to Major General (2-stars) in any branch of the military (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard) was Major General Marcelite J. Harris, USAF.
    She was born Marcelite Jordan in Houston, Texas to Cecil O’Neal Jordan and Marcelite Terrill Jordan, Sr., Jordan graduated from Spelman College, earning her B.A. of arts degree in speech and drama in 1964.
    Retired Feb. 22, 1997.

    The Army had appointed its first black female two-star general in 2011. Major General Marcia Anderson.

    Varify your facts before posting…. research!!!

    • When promoted, Major General Marcia Anderson was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. As our article clearly states, Nadja Y. West was the first African American woman on active duty that was promoted to the rank of Major General in the U.S. Army.

  2. By far one of the finest officers in the Medical Field! I am very proud to have worked for her while she was a Colonel at WAMC and very confident in saying that she has been the most professional and compassionate leader that I have ever had the priviledge of knowing. Well deserved!!!!

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