Secretary of Defense James Mattis announced a historic nomination from the president on Tuesday.

If confirmed, Marine Corps Col. Lorna M. Mahlock will be the first African-American female to serve as brigadier general, according to the Marine Corps office of public affairs.

Right now, Mahlock is the deputy director of operations, plans, policies and operations directorate at the Marine Corps’ headquarters in Washington, D.C., according to a press release.

The Marine Corps is the smallest of the four military services, and the branch has the fewest female service members, according to the Marine Corps Community Services.