A California native, Karen Halverson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1984.  She earned her Master of Science Degree in Systems Technology (C3I) at the Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey in 1989.  After ten years of active service, she transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) in 1994 as a Lieutenant Commander and became a full-time homemaker. She has volunteered for organizations that support our service members and their families, such as Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (T*A*P*S), Military Children Education Coalition, the Red Cross, and United through Reading.  She currently volunteers at the National Museum of the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir,  Arlington National Cemetery as an Arlington Lady, serves as a mentor in the General Officer Spouse Mentorship Program, and as the vice president of her USNA class.  She and her husband Dave have three daughters; Lindsey (husband Tyler), LT Anna Halverson, USN (fiancé Nick), and LT Ellen Halverson, USN (fiancé Aaron), and two grandsons, David and Scott.