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7th Signal Command (Theater) profiles outstanding women leaders: Lt. Col. Mary Cassidy

By Tracy LyngeMarch 31, 2023

Lt. Col. Mary Cassidy (on right) presents an award.
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Mary Cassidy (on right) presents an award. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lt. Col. Mary Cassidy (at front left) at a team-building event with 106th Signal Brigade personnel.
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Mary Cassidy (at front left) at a team-building event with 106th Signal Brigade personnel. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

In honor of Women's History Month, 7th Signal Command (Theater) is featuring outstanding women leaders who have critical roles in meeting the Command’s mission of executing theater-level DoDIN operations and providing the CONUS digital infrastructure for the U.S. Army and Joint Force partners. Today we shine the spotlight on Lt. Col. Mary Cassidy, S-3 for the 106th Signal Brigade, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Lt. Col. Cassidy was studying public relations at Purdue University when her brother, who was attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, suggested she look at Purdue’s ROTC program. She did, and ended up with a ROTC scholarship, commissioning into the Signal Corps in 2004. In 2008, Lt. Col. Cassidy deployed to Iraq alongside her brother and sister; her sister’s 1LT promotion ceremony turned into a publicized event because all three siblings were there together.

As the S-3 for the 106th Signal Brigade, Lt. Col. Cassidy is responsible for all operations and plans in the 106th’s area of responsibility. She has 50 direct reports and is ultimately responsible for the operational efforts of all 1,300 people across the brigade. In this role, leadership skills are critical.

“Most important for me is treating people as people first,” said Lt. Col. Cassidy. “If you take care of your people, they are going to care of the mission. I give people the space to be the parents or spouse they need to be, so they can come to work and do what they need to do here.”

When asked about Lt. Col. Cassidy’s leadership style, Col. Joseph Gardner, Commander, 106th Signal Brigade, wholeheartedly agrees with her self-assessment that caring for people comes first. “Mary is a dynamic and empathetic leader; she is committed to the professional development of the Command's Soldiers and Civilians,” Col. Gardner said. “She is an impact performer who is the ultimate team builder.”

Lt. Col. Cassidy doesn’t just talk the talk with her “people first” mentality. She recently developed and led a senior leader professional development session using Brene Brown’s “Dare to Lead” resources, facilitating guided discussions herself. She also planned and hosted a virtual holiday party for the brigade HQ during the pandemic, incorporating team-building activities into a party that all could enjoy from the comfort of home.

Asked to comment on the state of the Army’s efforts recruiting and retaining women, Lt. Col. Cassidy remarked, “The Army is making great strides toward retention with the new parental leave policy. I think the culture is changing, where leaders are more open to understanding family concerns.”

Lt. Col. Cassidy also stressed the importance of mentorship in helping women succeed and advance. “Our challenges as women are different, so having programs where female senior leaders are talking to Soldiers is important. Serving as a woman isn’t better or worse—it’s just different.”

She went on to say that senior officers had invested time in mentoring her earlier in her career, and she is trying to give those same opportunities to Soldiers in her organization. “It is an amazing time to be part of this Army. With such inspiring leaders, the future is bright. Earlier generations of women did not have all the opportunities we have to succeed—and we will see even more of that success in the future.”