Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Amy McGrath

Updated: October 7, 2025

Discover the career path of Amy McGrath, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Amy McGrath is a former U.S. Marine fighter pilot and political candidate. A pioneer in the military, she was the first woman Marine to fly a combat mission and pilot the F/A-18 in combat. Over her 20-year military career, she flew 89 combat missions against al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Later in her career, she served as a political advisor, liaison officer, and instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy. After her service, she transitioned to politics, running for Congress in Kentucky.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1999: Completion of Flight School

In 1999, Amy McGrath completed flight school and began her career as a Weapons Systems Officer (WSO).

March 2002: Deployment to Kyrgyzstan

In March 2002, Amy McGrath was deployed to Manas, Kyrgyzstan, for a six-month tour of duty and flew 51 combat missions in an F/A-18D in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

January 2003: Deployment to Kuwait

In January 2003, Amy McGrath was stationed in Kuwait and flew in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.

2004: Completed Flight School

In 2004, after being promoted to captain, Amy McGrath completed flight school, becoming a pilot.

2005: Second Tour of Duty Over Afghanistan

During 2005, Amy McGrath was deployed on a second tour of duty over Afghanistan with VMFA 121.

2006: Second Tour of Duty Over Afghanistan

During 2006, Amy McGrath was deployed on a second tour of duty over Afghanistan with VMFA 121. During this time she became the first woman to fly in an F/A-18 in combat for the U.S. Marine Corps.

2007: Promotion to Major and Deployment to East Asia

In 2007, Amy McGrath was promoted from captain to major. From 2007 to 2009, she was deployed to East Asia.

2009: Deployment to East Asia

In 2009, Amy McGrath was deployed to East Asia. From 2007 to 2009, she was deployed to East Asia.

2010: Second Tour in Afghanistan

In 2010, Amy McGrath served a second tour in Afghanistan with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in Helmand Province.

2011: Congressional Fellow Assignment

In 2011, Amy McGrath returned to the United States and was assigned as a congressional fellow for Representative Susan Davis's office in Washington, D.C.

2012: Assignment at Headquarters Marine Corps

From 2012 to 2014, Amy McGrath worked at the Headquarters Marine Corps in The Pentagon as a Marine Corps liaison to the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development.

2014: Assignment at Headquarters Marine Corps

From 2012 to 2014, Amy McGrath worked at the Headquarters Marine Corps in The Pentagon as a Marine Corps liaison to the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development.

2014: Political Science Instructor at the Naval Academy

From 2014 to 2017, Amy McGrath served as a senior political science instructor at the United States Naval Academy.

2016: Authored Editorial on Iraq War Investigation

In 2016, Amy McGrath authored an editorial for Foreign Policy magazine, calling for a thorough investigation of the decision-making process that the U.S. government took leading up to the Iraq War.

June 1, 2017: Retirement from the Armed Forces

On June 1, 2017, Amy McGrath retired from the armed forces at the rank of lieutenant colonel after reaching the 20-year service mark.

August 1, 2017: Announcement of Run for U.S. House of Representatives

On August 1, 2017, Amy McGrath announced she was running for the United States House of Representatives from Kentucky's 6th congressional district as a Democrat in the 2018 election.

2017: Political Science Instructor at the Naval Academy

From 2014 to 2017, Amy McGrath served as a senior political science instructor at the United States Naval Academy.

2017: Retirement from Military Service

In 2017, Amy McGrath retired from military service, and she entered politics.

May 22, 2018: Democratic Party Primary Win

On May 22, 2018, Amy McGrath won the Democratic Party primary, defeating Jim Gray and winning all but one rural county in the district. After the win, Gray endorsed McGrath.

November 2018: General Election Loss

In November 2018, Amy McGrath was defeated by Andy Barr in the general election. He won 51% of the vote to McGrath's 47.8%.

2018: Running for U.S. House of Representatives

In 2018, Amy McGrath announced she was running for the United States House of Representatives from Kentucky's 6th congressional district as a Democrat against incumbent representative Andy Barr.

2018: McGrath's Congressional Run

In 2018, Amy McGrath ran for Kentucky's 6th congressional district as the Democratic nominee but lost to Andy Barr.

July 9, 2019: Announcement of U.S. Senate Campaign

On July 9, 2019, Amy McGrath announced on Twitter that she was running for the United States Senate for Kentucky in the 2020 election, challenging incumbent senator Mitch McConnell.

July 2019: Senate Campaign Announcement

In July 2019, Amy McGrath announced her campaign for the United States Senate in the 2020 election, challenging Mitch McConnell.

September 2020: Campaign Fundraising Update

As of September 2020, donors had contributed $43 million to the Amy for America PAC and $39.6 million to the Amy McGrath for Senate PAC through ActBlue.