Dunwoody to be first female four-star general

AP ^ | November 14, 2008 | ROBERT BURNS

[BykrBayb]

WASHINGTON (AP) — From its humble beginning 33 years ago at Fort Sill, Okla., the career of Ann E. Dunwoody is ascending to a peak never before reached by a woman in the U.S. military: four-star general. At a Pentagon promotion ceremony Friday, Dunwoody was adding a fourth star and later, at Fort Belvoir, Va., — her birthplace — being sworn in as commander of the Army Materiel Command, responsible for equipping, outfitting and arming all soldiers. Just five months ago, she became the first female deputy commander there.

[Kathy in Alaska]

You're welcome. We have 4 years to make things right.

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin visits Soldiers of 3rd Battalion 297th Infantry Regiment Alaska National Guard at the Life Support Area, Kuwait Dining Facility July 24. Palin visited the Soldiers to learn about thier mission in Kuwait.

[BykrBayb]

I’m relegated to FReeping on my cell phone for the time being, so I can’t do much research. I did post a link before that you might find helpful, if you’re really interested. It showed a list of everyone who’s held this assignment, along with their biographies.

This assignment appears to be a natural progression of General Dunwoody’s career. By all accounts, she has excelled at her assignments and fulfilled her duties with honor. Her past assignments have been stepping stones to this one.

The only assignments “missing” from her resume, are those which she was barred from receiving because of her gender. There is nothing in her record to suggest that she would not have excelled at those assignments as she has in others.

The assignments reserved for men only would not affect her qualification for this assignment beyond the mere perception of masculine strength. While perception can have some effect on confidence, actual performance is a much more accurate measure of qualifications.

[BykrBayb]

That’s the kind of leader we need for our troops. One that takes an interest in them, and actually wants them to succeed.

[gundog]

Don't t know if you're a vet or not. Suspect not. Dunwoody rose to the top in a traditionally male milieu. She can take a little good-natured ribbing. And it's typical of GI's to have a little fun at the expense of the brass. Ya can't do it to their faces, but when they're not around...and for most non-coms that's all the time, they're fair game. All part of the esprit de corps that develops with the shared BS that inevitably accompanies military service. But when Dunwoody says "jump" it's "How high, ma'am?" and the job damn sure gets done.

FRegards.

[jude24]

is she the only 4 star with no combat theatre experience

Judging from the fruit salad on her chest, she has had extensive combat theater experience. Knowing that she was an 82d Airborne battalion commander - a unit which almost completely deployed for the surge - confirms that.

To be sure, she's not Combat Arms. That's ok - but any infantryman will tell you beans and bullets are as critical as tactics. A 4-star logistician is welcome.

[AC-130 Gunship]

"The Army does not hand out rank based on genitalia. Nor should they."

But they have, haven't they?

Btw, Phyllis Schlafly - May 28, 1991:

'Women in Military Combat? What It Means for American Culture and Defense':

http://www.heritage.org/research/nationalsecurity/hl317.cfm