Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Whitten most recently served as the Professor of Military Science at Furman University in Greenville, SC where she oversaw the leadership development and preparation for cadets from Furman University, Bob Jones University and North Greenville University as part of the Senior Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC).
Lieutenant Colonel Whitten was born in Omaha, Nebraska and raised in Johnston, Iowa. She commissioned from the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University ROTC program in 2006 as a Distinguished Military Graduate. Upon earning her commission, Lieutenant Colonel Whitten attended the Signal Officer Basic Course at Fort Gordon before reporting to her first assignment with the 385
th Signal Company at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
Lieutenant Colonel Whitten’s leadership positions include Signal Platoon Leader with 385th Signal Company and Company Commander for the 4th STB, 4/82 Airborne Brigade Combat Team Signal Company. She has held a variety of staff positions including Battalion Signal Officer (S6), Assistant Legislative Affairs for the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Cyber Mission Assurance Action Officer, HQDA G/3/5/7, Battalion Operations Officer (S3), Battalion Executive Officer, and Element Director of Operations (J3) prior to her current position. In addition to Signal Officer Basic and Advanced course, she is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College. Lieutenant Colonel Whitten has been stationed across the United States at Fort Carson, Fort Liberty, and the Pentagon as well as overseas in Korea and Kuwait, with multiple combat rotations to Afghanistan. She holds a Masters Degree in Policy Management from Georgetown University.
Lieutenant Colonel Whitten’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Army Achievement Medal. She is authorized to wear the Joint Meritorious Unit award, the Army Valorous Unit award and the Meritorious Unit Commendation with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Parachutist Badge.
Lieutenant Colonel Whitten and her husband, Darrell have been married for eight years. They have a son Preston who is almost five years old.