Major General LaRita A. Aragon
Air National Guard
Air Date Februar 5th, 2012
Major General LaRita A. Aragon is the Air National Guard assistant to the deputy chief of staff of Staff Manpower and Personnel. She serves as the senior Air National Guard officer responsible for comprehensive plans and policies covering all life cycles of military and civilian personnel management, which includes military and civilian end strength management, education and training, and compensation and resource allocation. General Aragon serves on the Air Force Personnel Board of Directors for personnel integration matters.
Major General Aragon enlisted in the Oklahoma Air National Guard on September 9, 1979 as an Airman Basic in the 219th Engineering Installation Squadron, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She received her commission through the Academy of Military Science at Knoxville, Tennessee in October 1981. She returned to the 219th EIS as an administrative officer. In February 1989 General Aragon became the first female commander in the Oklahoma Air National Guard when she assumed command of the 137th Services Flight at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base. She became the first female to hold the rank of Brigadier General in Oklahoma National Guard and the first female commander of the Oklahoma Air National Guard in March 2003.
EDUCATION:
1970 Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, Central State College, Edmond, OK
1979 Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling, Central State College, Edmond, OK
1986 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
1995 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
1998 Air War College, by correspondence
2000 Reserve Officer National Defense Security Course
2003 Russian General Officer Security Course
2003 Professional Military Comptroller Course
2003 Senior Leader Depot Course
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. September 1979 – October 1981, draftsman apprentice, 219th EIS, Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, OK
2. October 1981 – March 1983, administrative officer, 219th EIS, Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, OK
3. March 1983 – June 1985, wing education and training officer, 137th Tactical Airlift Wing, Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, OK
4. June 1985 – February 1989, wing executive officer, 137th Tactical Airlift Wing, Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, OK
5. February 1989 – January 1993, commander, 137th Services Flight, Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, OK
6. January 1993 – September 1994, commander, 137th Mission Support Squadron, Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, OK
7. September 1994 – May 1995, commander, 137th Logistics Squadron, Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, OK
8. May 1995 – January 1997, commander, 137th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, OK
9. January 1997 – August 1998, commander, 137th Support Group, Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, OK
10. August 1998 – March 2003, executive support staff officer, Headquarters Oklahoma Air National Guard, Oklahoma Military Department, Oklahoma City, OK
11. March 2003 – September 2005, commander and assistant adjutant general, Headquarters Oklahoma Air National Guard, Oklahoma Military Department, Oklahoma City, OK
12. September 2003 – September 2005, (Dual-Hat Assignment) Air National Guard assistant to the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
13. September 2005 – September 2006, Air National Guard assistant to the commander, Air Education and Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, TX
14. September 2006 – Present, Air National Guard assistant to the deputy chief of staff Manpower and Personnel, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with 2 devices
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
National Defense Service Medal with 1 device
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with 4 devices
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with 1 device
Air Force Training Ribbon with 1 device
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP AND AFFILIATIONS:
Board of Directors Red Cross Chapter of Central Oklahoma
National Guard Association of Oklahoma – Member /Board of Directors
National Guard Association of the United States – Member
Academy of Military Science Alumni Association – Secretary /Board of Directors
Integrated Planning Process Group for the Air National Guard – Regional Representative
National Guard Scholarship Foundation of Oklahoma – Vice Pres/ Board of Directors
Women In Military Service for America – Regional Representative/ Charter Member
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
Woman of the Year for Government (Edmond, Oklahoma)
Oklahoma Hospitality Club “Women in the News”
Oklahoma Woman Veteran of the Year
Red Lands Counsel Girl Scouts Woman of the Year
Oklahoma City Principal of the Year
OKC Chamber of Commerce Excellent Educator of the Year
President Oklahoma City Principal Association
EFFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
2d Lt 08 Jan 1982
1st Lt 17 Dec 1984
Capt 16 Jan 1987
Maj 13 May 1991
Lt Col 11 Jun 1995
Col 30 Jul 1999
Brig Gen 01 Mar 2003
Maj Gen 18 Nov 2005