Military History

Lieutenant Colonel Paula Molnar retired from the Army on August 1, 1994 after 22 years of active federal service. She served in her last Army assignment as the Professor of Military Science for the ROTC program at Santa Clara University from June 1992 until her retirement. Previously, she was assigned to the Office of the Inspector General, Headquarters, Sixth United States Army, Presidio of San Francisco, in September 1989. Molnar was also stationed at the Pentagon from 1986-89 where she worked in community relations for the Chief of Public Affairs, Office of the Secretary of the Army.

Entering the Army in 1972 with a commission as a second lieutenant in the Women's Army Corps, Molnar was later detailed to the Adjutant General Corps upon disestablishment of the WAC in 1978. She has served as an Army band officer, a personnel management officer, an assistant professor of military science, and a public affairs officer. Assignments include Commander of the Women's Army Corps Band (14th Army Band WAC) at Fort McClellan, Alabama; administrative officer for the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Engineers, Headquarters, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army in Germany; personnel management officer at Headquarters, 21st Support Command in Germany and later at the Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), Arlington Hall Station, Arlington, Virginia; assistant professor of military science at Jacksonville State University, Alabama; and public affairs officer for the 172d Infantry Brigade and Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska. Throughout her career, Lieutenant Colonel Molnar was assigned as a trailblazer in several positions to pave the way for other Army women to follow.

Her awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (four oak leaf clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (two oak leaf clusters), and the Army Achievement Medal. She also holds the Department of the Army Staff Badge and the Parachute Badge.