Maj Kathleen S. Thurber serves as an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 765, The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. Additionally, as a Reservist, she is the Executive Officer, 315th Operations Group, Joint Base Charleston, S.C. where she leads staff and manages administrative functions across seven squadrons encompassing over six hundred personnel.
Maj Thurber earned her commission in May 2005 from AFROTC Detachment 775, The University of South Carolina, where she graduated with Magna Cumma Laude and distinguished graduate honors. She began her career as a personnel officer at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, supporting undergraduate pilot training and the base community. Following a break in service, she joined the Air Force Reserve in 2015 as a Force Support Officer with the 315th Force Support Squadron, JB Charleston, S.C. There she oversaw mission operations for base personnel and provided support services for 21 reserve units. She held duties to include Military Personnel Flight Commander, Sustainment Services Flight Commander, and Operations Officer.
Education
2005 Bachelor of Arts, Public Relations, The University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C.
2005 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2006 Manpower and Personnel Officer Course, Keesler AFB, Miss.
2012 Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Adams States University, Alamosa, Colo.
2015 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2025 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
Assignments
June 2005 – February 2007, Chief, Customer Support, 14th Mission Support Squadron, Columbus AFB, Miss.
May 2015 – August 2016, Manpower and Personnel Flight Commander, 315th Force Support Squadron, JB Charleston, S.C.
August 2016 – April 2018, Sustainment Services Flight Commander, 315th Force Support Squadron, JB Charleston, S.C.
April 2018 – August 2018, Operations Officer, 315th Force Support Squadron, JB Charleston, S.C.
August 2018 – August 2021, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, AFROTC Detachment 765, The Citadel, S.C.
August 2021 – Present, Executive Officer, 315th Operations Group, JB Charleston, S.C.
Major Awards and Decorations
Meritorious Service Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Effective Dates of Promotion
Second Lieutenant June 8, 2005
First Lieutenant April 1, 2010
Captain April 1, 2012
Major October 1, 2019
(CURRENT AS OF FEBRUARY 2026)