Major General Salinas began her military career as an enlisted Marine in May 1974, earning her commission through the Enlisted Commissioning Program in 1977 and ultimately retiring after 39 years on Sept. 1, 2013. At the time of her retirement, she earned the distinction as the longest serving woman in the history of the Marine Corps, as well as the senior ranking woman and Hispanic in the Corps. Salinas commanded at every rank, from lieutenant to general officer. Her command assignments include the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego/Western Recruiting Region; the 12th Marine Corps District San Diego; the 4th Recruit Training Battalion Parris Island, SC; Recruiting Station Charleston, WV; Headquarters Service Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion, and as a Series Officer and Company Executive Officer at Woman Recruit Training Command.
Her staff assignments included Director. Manpower Management, Headquarters Marine Corps; Operations Officer and Chief of Staff. Marine Corps Recruiting Command; Depot Inspector, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego; Assistant Chief of Staff Plans and Policy, Third Marine Expeditionary Force; Deputy Special Assistant for General/Flag Officer Matters, Joint Staff Pentagon; Major’s Combat Service Support Ground Monitor; Executive Officer, Adjutant; Battalion Operations Officer; Legal Officer. In 2006 Salinas made history as the first Hispanic female selected and promoted to the general officer ranks and the first woman assigned to command one of the Corps’ recruit depots when she assumed command as the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and the Commanding General Western Recruiting Region. She was the first woman to command a recruiting district; serve as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and Policy of a major combatant organization; and command a recruiting station.
She received her BA from Dominican College of San Rafael,CA and her MA from the Naval War College. She is a graduate of the Army War College, the College of Command and Staff, Naval War College, and the Amphibious Warfare School. Her personal decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with gold star, the Meritorious Service Medal with two gold Stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars.
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