Kenyan born Major Silvia Jemutai made history after being promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army.
Jemutai was promoted on November 14 during a ceremony held at Fort Lee, Virginia.
A proud daughter of Kopsiya, Poror, Eldama Ravine in Baringo County, Jemutai celebrated the milestone surrounded by family and friends who traveled from across the U.S. and Kenya.
She dedicated the achievement to her late mother, Jacqueline Alice Kirui, honouring her as “a trailblazer… a woman of strength, vision and courage” whose sacrifices shaped her path and made the moment possible.
Jemutai also thanked her family, mentors, peers, and soldiers for their unwavering support throughout her journey.
With humility and purpose, she reaffirmed her commitment to uphold army values, lead with integrity, and mentor the next generation of military leaders.
A Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army is a senior field-grade officer, ranking above a Major and below a Colonel.
A Major is a mid-level field grade officer, ranking above a Captain and below a Lieutenant Colonel.
Lieutenant Colonel is a pivotal leadership position, often entrusted with significant operational, administrative, and strategic responsibilities.
Officers at this rank typically command a battalion, which may consist of 300 to 1,000 soldiers, depending on the unit type and mission.
In staff roles, a Lieutenant Colonel may serve as an executive officer or senior advisor at brigade, division, corps, or higher headquarters, contributing to planning, coordination, and oversight of large-scale operations.
Promotion to Lieutenant Colonel is highly competitive and is
generally based on a combination of experience, performance, leadership
potential, professional military education, and time in service.
Most officers reach this rank after approximately 16 to 22 years of active-duty service.
By this stage in their careers, they have often completed extensive leadership training, such as the Intermediate Level Education (ILE) program, and many hold advanced civilian degrees.
The role demands not only tactical and operational expertise but also strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
Lieutenant Colonels are expected to mentor junior officers, manage complex missions, ensure the welfare and discipline of their soldiers, and maintain readiness within their units.
Their decisions directly influence both mission success and the development of the Army’s future leaders.
In addition to their command and staff duties, Lieutenant
Colonels contribute to shaping Army doctrine, strategy, and policy through
participation in joint assignments, specialized fields, or advanced research.
They serve as a critical bridge between day-to-day field operations and the broader strategic objectives of the U.S. military, making the rank one of the most influential and demanding within the Army’s leadership structure.
