First Female Four-Star General Named

WASHINGTON — For the first time in American history a woman has been chosen for promotion to four-star general.

The Pentagon announced Monday that President Bush nominated Lt. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody to head the Army Materiel Command, responsible for equipping, outfitting and arming soldiers throughout the Army.

If confirmed by the Senate, she would be the first woman to attain the rank of a full general. By law, the Army is limited to 11 active-duty four-stars, including the Army chief of staff, Gen. George Casey.

Women haven't reached four-star rank because by law they are excluded from serving in combat roles, which historically have been the path to the highest-ranking positions. That exclusion still applies, but with Dunwoody the Army has chosen to cast aside its customary limitations on promotion.

Dunwoody is one of only two female three-stars in the Army; the other is Lt. Gen. Kathleen Gainey, director of logistics on the Joint Staff.

"Her 33 years of service, highlighted by extraordinary leadership and devotion to duty, make her exceptionally qualified for this senior position," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in a statement.

Dunwoody currently is deputy commander of Army Materiel Command. Among her earlier assignments, she was commander of Army Combined Arms Support Command and the Army deputy chief of staff for logistics.

Dunwoody is a native of New York; she received her Army commission after graduating from the State University of New York in 1975.

"I am very honored but also very humbled today with this announcement," Dunwoody said. "I grew up in a family that didn't know what glass ceilings were. This nomination only reaffirms what I have known to be true about the military throughout my career _ that the doors continue to open for men and women in uniform."

Comments

[Titonwan]

It's about time gosh darnit. I'd love for Bill "Slick Willie" Clinton try some of his moves on her. I'd pay good money to see her beat the stuffings out of him. (just a fantasy, I know it will never happen?)

[Grunty1]

Sadly, the reason for this promotion is probably because Bush ran out of Three-Starred Males who would say "yes" to his every whim...

[researcher]

like powell one has to wonder how many yes sirs it took to get there

ask hillary if she thinks glass ceilings exist

ok just kidding with hillary

[tda]

If Gen. Dunwoody is deserving of this honor, then my sincerest "congratulations", but should this be "political" heretic, again within the Bush Administration, then my regrets to our Military.

[FreeThinkn1]

Women Warriors are new only in the US. Women have been in combat since the first battle was fought. Ahhotep I, Arachidamia and Chelidonis, Boudica, Vishpala, Queen Cordelia, Berenice II,
the Cimbrians, Triá"‡u Thá"‹ Trinh and the list goes on...

[mexamerican]

what a proud day for women: now they can be in charge of murder too!

[CammyV]

Could it be that the Armed Forces is evolving?
My SIL is a full bird Colonel, being deployed to Iraq this weekend. Next promotion will be to General. Way to go Ladies. Way to go.

[brendanm]

She's a military leader promoted to the top of the ranks by the Bush Administration. If any of you have been paying attention to what has been going on for seven years, that means we should be very skeptical of her. Those in the military and civilian bureaucracy who haven't been "loyal Bushies" have been fired, forced into early retirement, or have had their careers damaged (often to the point of retiring). Gen. Eric Shinseki? Bunnatine H. Greenhouse?

She's a woman and that's great, but Condoleeza Rice is black, a woman, and maybe even gay, and she's been one of the most incompetent, dishonest, and sycophantic members of this administration.

I hope she really does represent an exception, but not to the tradition of not promoting women, but to the Bush tradition of promoting and appointing the Brownies and Gonzaleses.

[loucreattie]

unless she has done something specific to warrant this type of rant, please just congratulate and move on. thanks.

[Titonwan]

Just who do you think YOU are? Oh, I remember! Your one of Obama's apologists for not keeping his word on filibustering the FISA bill! Figures:)

[SecretSquirrel666]

For some reason, the posters here are going on and on about an 'exception' that was made to promote a woman to 4 star. I read the article several times and found no mention of an exception, which would refer to an 'exception to policy'. I couldn't find it. There was a mention of a customary selection of 4 stars from those who have served in combat roles. The Democratic Congress could change that if they so wish, they could open up all MOS's to women. Will they do it? Nope.

On a semi-related note, the newest Air Force Chief of Staff was a 'heavy' (meaning non-fighter) pilot. it's been decades since that happened.

[utd]

They can't open all jobs to women. It's not a question about desire or progress. There is a long shot possibility of some equal but separate units but certain jobs particularly in SO commands or sub units cannot and will not ever be able to accommodate women. It's a crying f-ing shame but that's just the way it is. It's not to say women can't handle the jobs, the wife of one of my team mates would have been more than capable of doing what we did, but to keep her body in that level of physical conditioning came at a heavy price that they couldn't conceive children of their own. There are a lot of other issues that aren't even worth getting into on some internet website, but I am happy for women's progress in the military and was glad to watch their jump in status happen while I was in. To think they will do everything is just not realistic though.

The real change that needs to happen though is not placing barriers to advancement. For too long, especially in the higher level commissioned officer positions, it has been a good ol boys club and highly politicized issue for advancement that revolved around men only combat positions.

[MRb1000]

Ok with all due respect to women. Now, if they open everything up dose this mean women can be drafted into the military just like men? I have a daughter and I would not want her drafted in anyones war. You better think very hard. You may get something you do not want. I do not want my daughter to be drafted. Can women do all jobs that men can do? Yes, some but not all!!! Men are stronger that women. Can most women carry a man on her back. Some but not all.

[FreeThinkn1]

" Now, if they open everything up dose this mean women can be drafted into the military just like men?"

Why not? Israel has no problem with drafting women and sending them into combat. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a petit woman all of 4 ft 7 inches, joined the Haganah and was trained as a scout and sharpshooter. Throughout history women have been in combat; there"s even evidence of female gladiators. Women in Sparta were trained in Martial Arts and were expected to be able to fight just as well as their male cohorts to defend their land. Look up Arachidamia and Chelidonis. Only recently has it become controversial for women to be in combat. Making blanketed statements about a segment of society is naive at best.

[Sundialsvc4]

Congratulations, Gen. Dunwoody!

[fishsandwichesr2good]

The Bush admin breaks another glass ceiling...

[sloan1212]

OMG...we are seriously evolving. I LOVE THIS!!!

[MiraMcB]

Congratulations, General!

:)

[barackobama4prez]

Wow....it's about time America became inclusive. There's hope for us!

[nuglet304]

awesome! congrats!