First Sergeant Kathlene H. Kluge is a native of Plainfield, IL. In 2005, she graduated from Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, Illinois. In December 2005, First Sergeant Kluge graduated Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon graduation, she was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Private First Class. Then, she reported to her Marine Combat Training (MCT), Camp Devil Dog, Jacksonville, North Carolina. After completing MCT, First Sergeant Kluge reported to her Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Training as a Motor Vehicle Operator (3531) at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.
After graduating from Motor Vehicle Operator’s School, Private First Class Kluge reported to her active duty station at Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. There, she served as a basic Motor Vehicle Operator and was promoted to Lance Corporal in August 2006. She became the Motor Transport Line NCO when she promoted to the rank of Corporal in May 2007. In March 2008, she transitioned into the reserves joining Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 48 (MTACS-48) in Great Lakes, IL.
While serving as the Line NCO for MTACS-48, Corporal Kluge volunteered to mobilize in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She received orders to deploy with Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28 in May 2009. Corporal Kluge deployed to Al Asad, Iraq filling a variety of roles to include, Motor Transport Operator, Dispatch, Licensing, Admin, and MMO. Upon completion of orders, she was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and returned to her reserve unit at MTACS-48.
In July 2010, Corporal Kluge was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and became the Platoon Sergeant over the Motor Transport and Utilities (MT/UT) section. After volunteering for another mobilization, Sergeant Kluge received orders under AFRICOM in June 2012, mobilizing with Special Marine Air Ground Task Force 13.1 (SPMAGTF 13.1) to Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily, Italy. While deployed, she filled many roles as Motor Transport Operator, Embark Chief, Electronic Country Clearance (ECC) coordinator, and conducted security missions in Djibouti, Africa. Sergeant Kluge also worked closely with the United States State Department, responsible for the processing and approval of all country clearances for SPMAGTF 13.1 and SPMAGTF 13.2 Marines deploying in and out of multiple African countries. Upon completion of orders, Sergeant Kluge was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal second award and returned to her reserve unit at MTACS-48.
In July 2015, she was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and became the Motor Transport Operations Chief. After being promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in July 2021, Gunnery Sergeant Kluge executed an IUT and joined Group-48 as a Career Planner for MTACS-48 in November 2021. Gunnery Sergeant Kluge was awarded a Certificate of Commendation from Marine Forces Reserves, 4th Marine Air Wing as a career planner in fiscal year 2023 for exceeding retention rates for Group-48.
In December 2024, Gunnery Sergeant Kluge returned to MTACS-48 as the Senior Enlisted Advisor and is the current Acting Sergeant Major for the squadron. She was selected and FROCKED to First Sergeant in March 2025. Then in August 2025, First Sergeant Kluge was officially promoted in the system to the grade of E-8 as a First Sergeant where she remains the Senior Enlisted Advisor, Active Sergeant Major for MTACS-48.
First Sergeant Kluge’s awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd award), Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal (4th award), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment (4th award), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (3rd award), Certificate of Commendation, and Certificate of Appreciation.