Kate DeLeal graduated from NDA in the class of ’98. She attended University of South Carolina in Columbia from ’98-’99, pledged Delta Zeta, and joined the NROTC Battalion. She then decided to continue her education at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, and began there July 1st, 1999. Kate graduated from Annapolis in May of 2003 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History with a minor in Spanish. (of note, NDA alum Gladys Rivera LaScala was one of Kate’s Spanish professors!).
The Marine Corps, 172 000 strong, is only 6% female. Kate left Annapolis as a Commissioned United States Marine Corps 2nd Lieutenant. She went directly to The Basic School, which is a basic officer’s training school for all Marine Corps Officers, focusing on basic rifle platoon tactics and leadership, located in Quantico, Virginia. She completing her training there in January ’04 and in February of that year she attended logistics officer school in Jacksonville, NC.
Why logistics?
Kate originally wanted to do convoy operations. In logistics she found plentiful opportunities for different deployments, with expertise and experiences readily available.
Also she found that she “loves making it all come together”, and that there is “lots of creativity involved”.
She cites her experience at NDA in helping to make this decision.
“I was part of the junior and senior prom planning; I enjoyed seeing an event come to fruition, and a large part of logistics is just that.”
While at Annapolis she interviewed for the Ring Dance Committee in junior year and was given the position of Vice President. In senior year, she was selected for the role of President of Brigade Social Affairs Committee; she was chosen from among the top members of her class for this very prestigious role. Kate was placed in charge of events such as the Homecoming Dance, the Valentine’s Dance, plus concerts featuring groups such as Third Eye Blind and the Goo Goo Dolls, as well as smaller events. Kate was responsible for each event beginning with obtaining the contracts in the initial planning stages, to cleaning up after the event. Kate felt these experiences were “great preparation for what I have done in the Marine Corps”.
With training completed Kate reported to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 272, where she served from May 2004 through the present. MWSS 272 provides ground support for flying squadrons, from ensuring fuel availability, to communications, to support of weaponry. During this time she also served as a Training Officer with multiple responsibilities, the most memorable for Kate was acting as the Destructive Weather Officer. She describes “riding out a hurricane on the base” and then supervising the clean up afterward.
In March of 2005 Kate took the position of Squadron S4 Logistics Officer, and was deployed to Iraq in this position from August of ’05 until March of ‘06. In this capacity she was responsible for facilities management and coordination of all the supplies needed by the Marines in her unit. This included food, medical support, billeting (tents, sleeping bags, etc) and ammunition requirements for about 500 men and women.
Kate was redeployed from September ’06 to March ’07 with a sister squadron, MWSS 273. During this deployment Kate worked in the intelligence officer billet, doing on the job training while deployed. She was stationed in Al Asad Airbase in Anbar Province in Iraq.
Kate has been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for her 1st and 2nd deployments, quite an achievement in the Marine Corps.
Kate worked briefly as the Maintenance Management Officer for MWSS 272. She oversaw all of maintenance and insured that 272 is mission capable with reference to all necessary equipment. She is currently working as the Squadron’s Operations Officer, in which capacity she directs, plans and supervises the pre-deployment training and daily operations for the 525 Marines in the Squadron.
In September of 2007 Kate will deploy with her unit to Iraq. Once in Iraq, she will be the Camp Korean Village officer in charge. Camp Korean Village is a satellite base 300 miles southwest of Al Taqquaddum in Anbar Province, where MWSS 272 will be stationed. Kate will have 60 Marines under her leadership, a mini component of a squadron. She will be responsible for the airfield section of the base. She has prior experience, having done this before when deployed to the Syrian border. This mini squadron is responsible for airfield maintenance, and has marines trained in a multitude of support roles including communications, as drivers, and weather forecasters. They are the general support of combat operations, directly supporting those infantry marines in combat.
Kate’s personal life is as rich and full as her work life. Here is a glimpse of Kate when not in uniform.
In July of 2004, Kate met her husband William Earl DeLeal III, or fondly, Bill. Kate and Bill met in Emerald Isle, NC through friends. In August of 2004, Bill called Kate from the airport as he headed to Iraq, and proposed over the phone. She accepted, and planned their wedding while Bill served in Iraq. Bill arrived home safely only 5 days before their wedding on April 23rd, 2005. Both Bill and Kate are Catholics, and faith is an important part of their lives. They were wed in a Catholic marriage service at Annapolis. Bill is a Captain in 2nd Radio Battalion, and is Bravo Company Commander.
Kate enjoys running, biking and kayaking. She recently ran in a 50 Km race (32 miles, the NYC marathon is 26) in Bedford, VA. She says this is the hardest thing she has done to date. She competed in a sprint triathlon last summer, climbing 8 hills and 4000 feet of elevation twice during the cycling segment, which she described as “great fun”. Kate feels that it is important for her as a woman to continue to compete, because it shows younger women that athleticism doesn’t end in high school or college, and that sports and competition can continue to provide great opportunities for challenge and success as women get older.
Kate Besignano Deleal is an accomplished, decorated and dedicated Marine. She is also an NDA alumna, one of whom we can be very proud. Kate, Godspeed in Iraq, you will have our prayers and support with you always.