Major Lakyra N. Pharms is from Gary, Indiana by way of South Bend, and achieved her B.S. in Applied Health Science from Indiana University in spring 2011. Her focus of study was Human Development and Family Studies with minors in Chemistry and Medical Science.
Major Pharms enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in May 2007 and joined Detachment Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 4th Marine Division in Indianapolis, IN where she served 6 years as a 0612 Field Wireman.
Major Pharms attended Officer Candidate School as a member of the Platoon Leader’s Class Combined in May 2008, commissioned and transitioned to the active component in April 2012, and reported to The Basic School in Jan 2013 where she was selected to attend the Basic Communications Officer Course in Quantico, VA.
In January 2014, Major Pharms reported to 7th Communications Battalion, III Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan, where she served as the Transmissions Platoon Commander for Alpha Company April 2014 – November 2015 and served as Battalion S-6 for 3D Law Enforcement Battalion November 2015 – June 2016.
30 August 2016, Major Pharms checked into 4th Recruit Training Battalion and completed 10 training cycles as a Series Commander for Company P and Company O.
30 July 2019 Major Pharms checked into Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division and served as the Executive Officer for Communications Company before taking command of the Division Headquarters Company in Feb 2020. Upon completion of Expeditionary Warfare School and MAGTF Communication Planners Course, she executed orders to 3D Assault Amphibian Battalion to serve as the Battalion S-6 in July 2021. Major Pharms also completed a successful assignment as the 7th Marine Regimental S-6 in support of RIMPAC 22.
6 June 2023 Major Pharms assessed to the Active Reserve and reported to 4th Marine Division where she served as the G-3/5 Future and Current Operations Officer.
22 Sept 2025 Major Pharms was hand selected to join Prior Service Recruiting Station Six where she currently serves as the OIC.
Her personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Major Pharms has also been awarded the USMC FY23 Major Megan McClung Leadership Award.