Congratulations to Ann Dunwoody. She has just been promoted to 4-star general and she is the first female to hold the rank in our nation's history. Along with her fourth star, Dunwoody was appointed as Commnding General (CG) of the Army Materiel Command (AMC).
At the time of her promotion Lieutenant General Ann E. Dunwoody was the U.S. Army Material Command's 43rd Deputy Commanding General (DCG) and the first woman to hold the position.
Dunwoody previously served the deputy chief of staff of the Army, G-4 and has also commanded the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command and Fort Lee, Va. and the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. She has also commanded the 407th Supply and Transportation Battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) Support Command, Fort Drum, N.Y.; and the 1st Corps Support Command (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.
Dunwoody says she is excited to be a part of the AMC family and is eager to get started in her new position. "I'll be hitting the ground running and I know you'll be there running right along with me."
She recently returned from a trip to Southwest Asia with AMC's Commanding General Gen. Benjamin S. Griffin, where she saw AMC work firsthand.
"I can't tell you how completely impressed I was with the energy and commitment of every AMC employee I met." She also noted that the employees' depth of knowledge, professionalism and genuine focus on the warfighter impressed her.
"AMC has established an incredible reputation throughout the Army. When folks see the AMC patch, they know they will get the help they need. Warfighters truly know and appreciate the capability AMC brings to the table. They will never go to war without us."
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates made the official annoucement in Washington that the President nominated Lieutenant General (3 stars) Ann E. Dunwoody of the Army for appointment to the grade of general (4 stars) and assignment as commander, Army Materiel Command.
"Women continue to achieve great success and make invaluable contributions to the defense of this nation. This is an historic occasion for the Department of Defense and I am proud to nominate Lt. Gen. Ann Dunwoody for a fourth star,” said Secretary Gates. “Her 33 years of service, highlighted by extraordinary leadership and devotion to duty, make her exceptionally qualified for this senior position.”
Lieutenant General Ann E. Dunwoody took over as deputy chief of staff, G-4 for the Army in October 2005. Prior to this, she served as commanding general of the United States Army Combined Arms Support Command in Fort Lee, Va. Among her assignments, she has served as commander of the Division Support Command, 10th Mountain Division (light), at Fort Drum, N.Y., and special assistant to the Chief of Staff in the Army.
Dunwoody has also served as executive officer to the director of the Defense Logistics Agency. From May 1989 to May 1991, Dunwoody served as executive officer and later division parachute officer for the 407th Supply and Transportation Battalion, 82d Airborne Division, in Fort Bragg, N.C., and Operations Desert Shield/Storm in Saudia Arabia.
Dunwoody graduated from the State University of New York with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. She holds a master’s degree in logistics management from the Florida Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in national resource strategy from National Defense University. Her awards and badges include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, Master Parachutist Badge and the Army Staff Identification Badge.
The first female service member to achieve the rank of Brigadier General was Col. Anna Mae Hays, chief of the Army Nurse Corps, on June 11, 1970. There are currently 57 active-duty female general officers in the Armed Forces, five of whom are lieutenant generals.
Resources:
U.S. Army Materiel Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia
Watch this video about the Army Materiel Command
History of Women in the U.S. Army
U.S. Military Officer's Rank Insignia
Fort Belvoir
U.S. Army - main website
Sustaining the Current Force & Improving the Future Force- report presented by Lt. Gen. Ann Dunwoody (.pdf) .
2 comments:
I think it's amazing that women have come so far in a world that was orriginally ment for men. Wanting to join the military myself, knowing there is a woman who can make it to the top makes my dreams that much closer.
Come on, President-elect Obama. Here is a chance to appoint a remarkably talented general officer to Deputy Chief of Staff of the U. S. Army. Break the military glass ceiling.
.
And please, Mr. President-elect, please repeal the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy and give gay and lesbian Americans an opportunity to serve openly in the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Air Force.
Post a Comment