AP – PARRIS ISLAND, S.C . — For the first time in its 96-year history, a female general will lead the famed Marine Corps training installation at South Carolina’s Parris Island.

The Marine Corps says Brig. Gen. Loretta Reynolds will take charge of the depot Friday. The one-star Naval Academy graduate is taking command from Brig. Gen. Frederick Padilla, who will lead the 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan.

Reynolds has been a Marine for 24 years. She’s also going to be in charge of Marines’ Eastern Recruiting Region, which covers the 23 states east of the Mississippi River. She has been a communications officer and commanded Marines from platoon to battalion levels.

General Reynolds is one of three female generals in the United States military.

Read more: http://www.thesunnews.com/2011/06/17/2225127/historic-marine-base-gets-1st.html#ixzz1PYM9mn4y