Watson promoted to Colonel in the Joint Services Det. (S.C. Military Dept).
July 15, 2014
COLUMBIA, SC – Attorney and legal consultant Caroline N. Watson was promoted to the rank of Colonel (0-6) in the S.C. Military Dept.’s Joint Services Det. (JSD) during ceremonies at the adjutant general’s headquarters building, May 17.
A “history maker,” Watson is the first female officer to achieve the top field-grade rank in either of S.C.’s all-volunteer state defense forces (including JSD and the S.C. State Guard). “A huge personal honor,” says Watson, who was “pinned” (received her new rank insignia) by Brig. Gen. Darlene M. Goff, S.C. Army National Guard, also a history maker as the first-ever female general-officer in the S.C. Military Dept.
Commanded by Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston, Jr., the adjutant general of S.C., the S.C. Military Dept.oversees the S.C. Army National Guard, the S.C. Air National Guard, the State Guard, JSD, the Emergency Management Div., and other elements.
“The talents in JSD are invaluable to the S.C. Military Dept.” says Goff, who serves as director of the Joint Staff for the S.C. National Guard.
She adds, “Col. Watson’s promotion is a significant milestone for women and it also raises awareness of the selfless spirit of volunteering.”
Maj. Gen. James E. Lockemy, commander of JSD, agrees.
“This promotion within JSD is demonstrative of Col. Watson’s extraordinary dedication, professionalism, and leadership,” says Lockemy, who – when not in uniform – serves as a judge on the S.C. Court of Appeals.
With more than a decade of volunteer service in both JSD and the State Guard, Watson has provided legal and other support to JSD and the broader S.C. Military Dept., and she currently serves as JSD’s grants section chief (the grants section being tasked with obtaining special-projects funding).
In 2010, Watson served on the planning team for the Medal of Honor Society’s national convention in Charleston; and as editorial director for the acclaimed book, “Medal of Honor, Our American Heroes.” In her capacity as editor, she traveled around the country meeting with and interviewing more than 50 recipients of the nation’s highest award for combat valor. She then wrote/edited – and arranged for publication – their childhood stories as well as a comprehensive history of the Medal of Honor.
Watson – who has practiced law for almost 30 years and today owns a legal consulting company – has worked in four states and the District of Columbia. She served as general counsel and as secretary of the board of directors for a $160 million software company. She was the first female general counsel in S.C. for BellSouth (now AT&T). And she has served as secretary of Claflin University’s Board of Trustees, chair of Columbia College’s Board of Visitors, chair of the City of Columbia’s loan committee, and various other boards and committees.
Watson lives near Clemson on Lake Keowee.
