Karlsruhe native promoted to brigadier general
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. – Rebecca McElwain, a Karlsruhe native, was promoted to brigadier general during a ceremony on Jan. 9, at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, S.C.
McElwain is currently assigned to U.S. Army Central, where she serves as the assistant chief of staff, G8 comptroller and is responsible for the command’s budgeting and resource management.
A veteran of 28 years, McElwain has a broad range of experience from Army tactical-level commander to national strategic-level work with Congress, Department of Defense and Department of State. She began her career in North Dakota as a medic in the Army Reserves, later transferring to the Minnesota National Guard. After graduating from North Dakota State University, she received a commission into the U.S. Army Finance Corps.
McElwain has spent significant time serving abroad in various locations across Asia, Europe and the Middle East, commanding at every level. She has led contingency and operational banking missions, partnering with German, Macedonian, Thai, and Iraqi banks to ensure availability of cash during military operations.
She is married to James McElwain and they have a son, Andrew.