Brigadier General Mary
A. Epps is the assistant adjutant general-air who also serves as the commander of the Connecticut Air National Guard. She is responsible for formulating, developing, and coordinating all policies, plans, and programs affecting over 1,100 members of the Connecticut Air National Guard and is tasked with ensuring their ability to respond to peacetime contingencies while maintaining readiness to accomplish their war missions.
General Epps started her military career by enlisting in the Connecticut Air National Guard in June 1976 and received a commission as a first lieutenant in 1977. She was a member of the 103rd Fighter Wing, Connecticut Air National Guard for 23 years, becoming the first African American and the first female to achieve the rank of colonel in the history of the Connecticut Air National Guard. Prior to this position, she was the Air National Guard Advisor to the Commandant of the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI), Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. For the six years immediately prior to her DEOMI assignment General Epps functioned as the 103rd Medical Squadron Commander.
1981 Bachelor of science degree in human services, New Hampshire College, Manchester
1994 Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
1. February 1977 - July 1984, clinical nurse, 103rd Tactical Clinic, East Granby, Conn.
2. July 1984 - August 1989, medical surgical nurse, 103rd Tactical Clinic, East Granby, Conn.
3. August 1989 - September 1990, chief nursing services, 103rd Tactical Clinic, East Granby, Conn.
4. September 1990 - September 1997, commander, 103rd Medical Squadron, 103rd Tactical Clinic, East Granby, Conn.
5. September 1997 - March 2001, Air National Guard advisor to the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.
6. March 2001 - present, assistant adjutant general for air who also serves as commander, Headquarters Connecticut Air National Guard, Hartford, Conn.
Defense Superior Service Medal
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with 1 device
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 2 devices
National Defense Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award with 4 devices
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 2 devices
Air Force Training Ribbon
State of Connecticut Medal of Merit
State of Connecticut Long Service Medal with 20-year device
Perioperative nurse, University of Connecticut Medical Center, Farmington, Conn.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Chi Eta Phi Sorority
Association of Operating Room Nurses
Air Force Association, Life Member
National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS)
Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS)
Association of Air Guard Nurses, Life Member
National Guard Association of Connecticut (NGACT)
Connecticut Minority Guard Association
Officers Club of Connecticut
Healing Touch International, Inc.
Leadership Award, Southern Connecticut Black Nurses Association
University of Connecticut Health Center Employee of the Month
University of Connecticut Health Center Minority Achievement Award
First Lieutenant Feb 26, 1977
Captain Feb 26, 1978
Major Feb 26, 1985
Lieutenant Colonel Sep 9, 1989
Colonel Dec 23, 1994
Brigadier General Mar 30, 2001
(Current as of May 2001)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.