Colonel Marcelyn “Marcy” Atwood, BM ’78 began her career as a high school music teacher in Eugene, Oregon. Today she lives outside of Washington, D.C. where she works as a consultant in the defense industry.
In the time between her position as a music teacher and her role as a defense contractor, Atwood served 25 years in the Air Force and achieved Master Navigator status with more than 3,100 career flying hours in the KC-135Q, KC-135A, E-4B, RC-135, T-1, and T-39 aircraft, and held several positions as a high-level intern as a young officer at Air Force Headquarters, including serving as one of ten officers who created the U.S. Strategic Command, a joint unified command with oversight of the nuclear weapon arsenal. She also served as an Air Force Headquarters branch chief who established a revised Air Force Chemical, Biological, and Nuclear policy for surviving enemy attacks on airfields and as the Vice Director, Manpower and Personnel, (J-1) Joint Staff, Pentagon with oversight and management of multiple Department of Defense personnel, organizational and manpower changes.
An outstanding military resume for a one-time music educator.
“There was an Air Force recruiter visiting the school and he convinced me to apply for the officers program. It was an easy sell for the recruiter because of my dad, who got his start in the Air Force,” Atwood explained. Inspired by her father, Atwood made a dramatic career change, which ultimately led her to be the first female officer aviator in several units.
But the transition from teaching music to flying military aircraft wasn’t as drastic as you might think. In fact, Atwood comments that her music training was the aspect of her education at the University of Oregon most formative to her military career.
“The work of mastering a musical instrument with all its ranges and styles taught me the most about hard work and dedication,” she said. “You have to work constantly at music performance to become an expert in your field. The same is required for military service.”
Of her many achievements, the accomplishments she’s most proud of include serving as the first Air Force commander of the Naval Flight Officer Training Squadron TEN, along with an initial cadre of about 20 Air Force members. In one year, the team merged Air Force and Naval training into a comprehensive program and reduced the overall time-to-train by two weeks.
She also led 750 men and women during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, flying airborne reconnaissance missions in support of ground forces in Iraq.
“Accomplishments are not possible without the people you are teamed with,” Atwood said. “I am most proud to have had the opportunity to serve with great Americans throughout my career.”
Atwood’s notable accomplishments extend beyond her military career. She recently supported a contract with the Veteran Benefits Administration to analyze their disability compensation claims process for National Guard and Reserve members.
And she has no shortage of upcoming projects. She’s currently in the process of drafting the Women Military Aviators, Inc. archival strategy to document the achievements of women in military aviation.
“I’m a charter member of this non-profit and also a member of the historical committee,” Atwood says. “We are working on compiling a joint Service timeline of the key events where women were the firsts in their weapon systems and units beginning in 1973. The achievements of women military aviators are amazing!”
In her free time, Atwood continues to play the horn. In 2011, she acted as the musicologist, arranger, box office manager, program designer and manager for the Northern Virginia Community College Music Department multi-media Civil War Concert. She performs with and arranges music for the Mount Vernon Concert Band.
This November the University of Oregon Alumni Association will be honoring Atwood as a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award, given annually to alumni who excel professionally and civically.