Joyce L. Stevens


Major General Joyce "Joy" Stevens is a retired senior officer in the United States Army National Guard and the first female general officer in the Texas Army National Guard. She was promoted to brigadier general on 14 July 2006 and to major general on 5 August 2010. She served as assistant to the Adjutant General of the Texas Military Forces and dually titled as the Commander of the Texas Army National Guard, commanding approximately 19,000 soldiers and 117 armories in 102 communities across Texas.

Military career

Stevens began her military career in April 1979. Her assignments have included various command and staff positions within the 49th Armored Division and the 71st Troop Command. She served as the commander of the 536th Forward Support Battalion where she was also the full-time Battalion Administrative Officer; the Assistant Chief of Staff, G4 for the 49th Armored Division ; the 71st Troop Command Assistant Chief of Staff, G3; and the commander of the 111th Area Support Group. She deployed to combat as a brigade-level task force commander in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Her unit was responsible for base operations, which entailed the management and security of Bagram Air Field. Additionally, Stevens was responsible for security and reconstruction projects in the adjacent Kapisa, Parwan and Panjshir Provinces of Afghanistan.

Awards and decorations

Bronze Star Medal

Meritorious Service Medal

Army Commendation Medal

Army Achievement Medal

Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal

National Defense Service Medal

Afghanistan Campaign Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Armed Forces Service Medal

Humanitarian Service Medal

Armed Forces Reserve Medal

Army Service Ribbon

Overseas Service Ribbon

Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon

Combat Action Badge

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