Col. Mary Kay Goetter, USAF (Ret), attained her baccalaureate degree in nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. After 10 years in the civilian sector, she was commissioned in the Air Force and served nine years on active duty, 10 years in the Wyoming Air National Guard, and 11 years in the Air Force Reserve.

Goetter earned a master’s degree (University of Wyoming, 2004) and a Ph.D. (University of Northern Colorado, 2009) in Nursing Education. Her final assignment was as the Transgender Policy Program manager for the Air Force Surgeon General at the Defense Health Agency, culminating a 30-year military career and retiring in 2020.

Professional military education includes Squadron Officer School, 1997 (in residence) and Air War College, 2012 (correspondence). Civilian and military background includes extensive clinical, administrative, research, education, and regulatory experience.

She and her husband have three children and reside in Cheyenne, Wyo. Goetter is president of MOAA's WY-CO Border Chapter and teaches clinical nursing at the University of Northern Colorado.