Thomas would take over recruiting when Aleman was away. This past summer, she helped bring in almost 40 new recruits, Aleman said. During Thomas' tenure at TCU, she helped the ROTC department receive two excellent ratings by Air Force inspectors, Aleman said. She kept us on the ball. Thomas is one of only a few officers and the only female chaplain to change from line to non-line status.
Line officers are combatants while non-line officers have professional occupations.
Thomas had to receive an extension to stay a fourth year so she could complete her master's work. Most ROTC contracts last only three years. Thomas was promoted to the rank of major in 1998, which posed another obstacle for her. That approval had to come from Chaplain Maj. Gen. William Dendinger, the chief of chaplains for the Air Force.