Sergeant Major Murphy was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. She graduated from Dollarway High School, Pine Bluff, Arkansas in 1985. In May of 1988, she enlisted into the United States Marine Corps. She went to boot camp at Parris Island, SC and was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class.
Private First Class Murphy was transferred to Fort Eustis, Virginia where she was assigned to the U.S. Army Transportation School. After completion of school, she was assigned to Beach and Port Terminal Operations Company, 3rd Landing Support Battalion, Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan. During her tour in Okinawa, she was deployed to Camp Fuji, Japan with Combat Service Support Detachment Fourteen for three months. Private First Class Murphy was promoted to Lance Corporal in April 1989.
In November 1989, Lance Corporal Murphy transferred to Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, CA. In December of 1991, she reenlisted for four years. After her reenlistment, Lance Corporal Murphy was promoted to Corporal in January of 1992. She remained in El Toro until May 1993 and then transferred to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan for one year. Upon completion of her unaccompanied tour, she was transferred to Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC, where she remained for 2 years. While stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC, she was promoted to Sergeant in November of 1994.
In October of 1996, Sergeant Murphy reported to Drill Instructor School at Parris Island, South Carolina. She graduated December of 1996 and was assigned to “O” Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion. In April of 1998, Sergeant Murphy was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. In December 1999, after a successful tour, Staff Sergeant Murphy was transferred to Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany, Georgia where she was assigned as the Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of the Transportation Management Office. In April 2001, Staff Sergeant Murphy received an accelerated promotion to Gunnery Sergeant. In September 2001, Gunnery Sergeant Murphy requested orders to Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL to train Naval Officer Candidates. After completing Drill Instructor School for the second time, Gunnery Sergeant Murphy served as a drill instructor for three years. After the completion of her first class, Gunnery Sergeant Murphy was awarded a Congressional Record by the 107th Congress honoring her as the First Female Drill Instructor at Naval Officer Candidate School. Gunnery Sergeant Murphy was frocked to the rank of First Sergeant in January 2005 and reported to Inspector & Instructor Staff Indianapolis, Indiana immediately as the First Sergeant of Detachment Communications, Communication Company Headquarters Battalion, 4th Marine Division and Detachment Two, Electronics Maintenance, 4th Marine Logistics Group. In June of 2007, First Sergeant Murphy reported to First Radio Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA as the First Sergeant of Headquarters and Service Company. In February 2008, First Sergeant Murphy deployed in support of Iraqi Freedom. First Sergeant Murphy was promoted to her current rank of Sergeant Major in January 2009 and immediately reported to the Marine Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC for duty as the 4th Recruit Training Battalion Sergeant Major. After completing this tour, she reported to the Combat Logistics Battalion Two, 2d MLG. In July 2012, Sergeant Major Murphy deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 12-2. She returned in February of 2013 and reported to Officer Candidate School in March 2013 as the Sergeant Major of Officer Candidate School.
Sergeant Major Murphy has obtained a Bachelors of Arts in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Degree from the University of West Florida, in Pensacola, FL. She also has a Master of Business Administration degree from the American Military University. She is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership degree program at the University of Phoenix.
Sergeant Major Murphy’s' awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3rd Award) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd Award).