Lieutenant General Claudia J. Kennedy was born in Frankfurt, Germany. She received Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Southwestern in Memphis, Tennessee and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in June 1969 through the Womens Army Corps. Her military education includes completion of the Womens Army Corps Officer Basic Course, Military Intelligence Officer Advanced Course, the Junior Officer Cryptologic Career Program at the National Security Agency, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. She has served in her current position as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence since May 1997.

General Kennedy has held a variety of command and staff positions throughout her illustrious and decorated career. Some of her key assignments include: Commander, 3rd Operations Battalion, U.S. Army Field Station Augsburg, Germany; Commander, San Antonio Recruiting Battalion, U.S. Army Recruiting Command; and Commander, 703rd Military Intelligence Brigade, Field Station Kunia, Hawaii.

She has served as Operations Officer, U.S. Army Field Station, Augsburg, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command; Staff Officer, Directorate of Training, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff Operations and Plans, Washington, D.C.; the Director of Intelligence, G2, Forces Command, Fort McPherson, Georgia; Deputy Commander, U.S. Army Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca, Arizona; and Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Headquarters, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C.

During her career, General Kennedy has received numerous awards and decorations which include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Staff Intelligence Badge.