Joyce Heflin (b. 1952) served in the United States Navy and served from 1978 through 1993 and retired as a lieutenant commander. Joyce Heflin was born in Tacoma Park, Maryland, and grew up in Rockville, Maryland. She attended the State University of New York at Cortland, earning a bachelor's degree in physical education. She then taught kindergarten through 4th grade and coached various sports at the middle and upper school level for two years.

After working towards, but not completing, a master's degree in exercise psychology at the University of Maryland, Heflin enlisted in the United States Navy. Heflin attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. Her first duty station was at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where she taught physical education. After three years, she was assigned to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. In Pensacola, Heflin became the avionics division officer and had the rank of lieutenant. Also while at Pensacola, Heflin earned a master's degree from the University of West Florida in education and training. In 1984, Heflin was selected for naval postgraduate school, which was in Monterey, California, where she earned a second master's in management.

After naval postgraduate school, Heflin worked as a placement officer from 1986 through 1987. She then worked at the National Defense University and became a network manager. In 1993, the United States military offered a temporary option for servicemembers to retire after 15 years of service, which Heflin accepted, retiring as a lieutenant commander. She then accepted a civilian job offer from Bell Atlantic (later known as Verizon).