In February 1976, McKee became the first woman line officer to be selected for flag rank. From June 1, 1976, with the rank of rear admiral (lower half), she was Director of Naval Education Development at the Naval Education and Training Command, Pensacola, Florida, and from June 1, 1978, Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for Human Resource Management with additional duty as Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Human Resource Management). She received promotion to rear admiral (upper half) in November 1978.