SMSgt Ecatarina M Garcia is the Superintendent of the Center for Character and Leadership Development, Headquarters, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado. In this role, she advances understanding and implementation of effective character and leadership development practices across military, academic and athletic settings for cadets, faculty and staff. Sergeant Garcia inspires cadets to embrace the Air Force Core Values as the foundation of their lifelong development as leaders of character and provides experiences, tools, and collaborative opportunities to foster character and leadership growth for cadets, faculty, and staff. Additionally, she serves as an Academy Faculty Instructor in the Department of Military Strategic Studies. SMSgt Garcia wholeheartedly supports the United States Air Force Academy Mission: To educate, train and inspire men and women to become officers of character motivated to lead the United States in service to our Nation.

SMSgt Garcia entered into the United States Air Force in June of 2004 and served her first enlistment at National Security Agency – Texas as a Network Fusion Intelligence Analyst. She has served in various intelligence assignments from providing non-kinetic targeting to the EC-130H COMPASS CALL in Arizona, managing Signals Intelligence Operations at Distributed Ground Station-One in Virginia to instructing in the Air Force Intelligence Officer Course in Texas. SMSgt Garcia has deployed in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM and Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa. She was assigned to the United States. Air Force Academy in June 2019. Prior to her current position, the SMSgt Garcia was the Operations Superintendent of the 313th Training Squadron whereby she was responsible for the management of intermediate, advanced, and international intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance training.

Distinguished Graduate Award Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Ala. (2019)

Acquisition Intelligence Formal Training Course, Wright Patterson-Air Force Base, Greene County, Ohio (2018)

Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Ala. (2016)

Curriculum Development Course, Goodfellow Air Force Base, San Angelo, Texas (2016)

Basic Instructor Course, Goodfellow Air Force Base, San Angelo, Texas (2015)

Cyber Intelligence Formal Training Course, Joint Base San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (2015)

Masters of Arts in International Relations, American Military University, Manassas, Va. (2014)

Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education, correspondence (2013)

Distinguished Graduate Award, Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City, Fla. (2013)

Bachelors of Science in Social Psychology, Park University, Parkville, Mo. (2009)

Distinguished Graduate Award, Airmen Leadership School, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Ariz. (2009)

Associate in Applied Science in Communications Applications Technology, Community College of the Air Force,
Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Ala. (2007)

Signals Intelligence Apprentice Course, Goodfellow Air Force Base, San Angelo, Texas (2005)

Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas (2004)

Superintendent, Center for Character and Leadership Development, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (June 2019–Present)

Intelligence Officer Course Instructor, Intelligence Officer Course Flight Chief, Operations Superintendent 313th Training Squadron, Goodfellow Air Force Base, San Angelo, Texas (Nov. 2015–June 2019)

NCOIC Signals Intelligence Operations, Distributed Ground Station-One, Joint Base Langley Eustis, Newport News, Va. (Oct. 2012–Nov. 2015)

Non-Kinetic Targeteer, NCOIC of Training and Readiness, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Ariz. (October 2008–October 2012)

Russian Air Analyst, Product Reporter, Intelligence Oversight Officer, Joint Base San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (February 2005–October 2008)

Student, Signals Intelligence Apprentice Course, Goodfellow Air Forca Base, San Angelo, Texas (August 2004-February 2005)

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal

Joint Service Achievement Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster