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Sooner Job Challenge Director Retiring

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Sooner Job Challenge (SJC) proudly celebrates three years of groundbreaking leadership today as Director Rosemary Masters announces plans to retire effective September 18, 2026. Her milestone celebration will be on September 17, 2026 at 2 pm in the Education Building, Room 103.

Masters began her career with Sooner Job Challenge in November 2023. In partnership with Oklahoma National Guard leadership, she led the planning and development to establish Oklahoma’s National Guard job challenge program which is a follow-up program to the Thunderbird Challenge Program, both designed to help shape Oklahoma’s at-risk teens into capable adults. Classes officially began in February 2025.

In March of 1988 through 1992, Masters began her military career as a United States Marine at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. While in USMC Reserve inactive status, she enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard (OKARNG) in 1995 as a Sergeant with the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) as a 71D Legal Clerk. For over 25 years, Masters was a member of the OKARNG. She was the first female to make the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5 in the history of the Oklahoma Army National Guard and retired from active-duty military service on Dec 31, 2020 as the Deputy Director of Personnel/G1 with over 32 years of combined service.

Director Masters has served in a variety of leadership and staff positions including: Court Reporter, Material Control Accounting NCO, Subsistence NCO, Unit Administrator, Battalion Personnel Services NCOIC, G1- Medical Branch Chief, Administrative Officer of Headquarters and Headquarters Company of Joint Force Headquarters, Warrant Officer Recruiter, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team S1 Strength Accounting Officer while deployed to Afghanistan, G1, Enlisted Personnel Manager, the G1, Senior Human Resources Officer and her final assignment as Deputy G1, Director of Personnel.

As the Deputy G1, she advised the Joint Staff and Major Subordinate Commands on all administrative matters for approximately 6,600 assigned soldiers. She interpreted, analyzed, directed, enforced and tracked personnel and medical policies, procedures, laws and regulations. Reporting readiness indicators and aligning strategic and critical resources such as time, money and personnel priorities in order to maintain strength goals and ready available deployable formations.

She was the personnel subject matter expert concerning any issue that affects the Oklahoma Army National Guard, its Citizen Soldiers and their families. She was the G1 budget program manager responsible for over two million dollars in yearly funds ensuring successful execution, efficient allocation and use of resources in accordance to law and priorities of the Adjutant General.

Masters’ military education includes: Basic Supply School, Advance Supply Control School, Primary Leadership Development Course, Automated Logistics Supply Course, Personnel Services Course, Basic NCO Leadership Course, Warrant Officer Candidate School, Military Personnel Warrant Officer Basic Course, Administrative Warrant Officer Advanced Course, Officer Strength Manager Course, Human Resources Manager’s Course, Warrant Officer Staff Course, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Course, Casualty Operations Train-the-Trainer Course, Domestic Operations and Personnel Action Officer Course, Comptroller Fiscal Law Course and the Warrant Officer Senior Service Education Course. She also holds a Bachelor of Liberal Studies Degree from the University of Oklahoma and earned a Special Education and Teaching license from University of Central Oklahoma.

Some of Director Masters’ awards and decorations include: the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (5th award), the Army Commendation Medal (4th award), the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (2nd award), Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/2 campaign star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO Medal just to name a few.

“Three years ago, my goal was never simply to build and open a new program, but to attract and train a dynamic team and provide resources that could continue changing lives long after any one leader was gone.  I retire with a grateful heart and tremendous confidence in the mission, leaders and staff who will continue this important work and take the program into the next chapter. My assignment is merely changing to Volunteer within our Foundation, as I have loved serving our Oklahoma community and will continue to be an advocate for our young people and staff through workforce development,” says Masters.

She resides in Wanette, Oklahoma with her husband of 37 years, Jeff Masters. They have one son, Jeremy Masters awaiting the eternal reunion in heaven, one daughter, Brittany Corson and two grandchildren Mia and Aiden Corson residing in Wanette. Masters says she is looking forward to spending more time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Masters plans to continue her work with Sooner Job Challenge by serving on their 501c3 foundation board as a volunteer.

“Rosemary will leave a tremendous void in the leadership of Sooner Job Challenge. I look forward to her dedicated efforts on the board as she makes that transition. We wish her and Jeff the very best,” says Oklahoma National Guard Youth Programs Director Colonel Kevin Roland. Congratulations Rosemary Masters on a job well done! You will be missed!