
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Women’s History Month originally began as “Women’s History Week.” After being petitioned by the National Women’s History Alliance (formerly known as the National Women’s History Project) in 1987, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9, designating March as Women’s History Month. This commemoration nationally recognizes women’s achievements and contributions throughout American history.
This year’s theme, “Women Who Have Made Great Achievements,” focuses on the countless stories of women who have shaped and inspired America. Their efforts will forever go on to inspire the youth to bolster the disenfranchised and pioneer the future.
U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command shares the same ideals, constantly supporting the warfighter in defense of the nation. CECOM is one of the 10 major subordinate organizations that provide support as the U.S. Army Materiel Command’s backbone. The core of the command’s support to the warfighter is the workforce, boasting more than 165,000 military, civilian, and contractor employees.

This Women’s History Month, CECOM would like to highlight the first woman in U.S. history to become a four-star general, Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody.
Before her retirement in 2012, Dunwoody most recently served as AMC’s commanding general. AMC is one of the Army’s largest commands. In this position, Dunwoody ensured AMC delivered precision sustainment and materiel readiness to an expeditionary global force from the Joint Strategic Support Area to the tactical point of contact across the spectrum of conflict in support of the Joint Force.
During Dunwoody’s retirement ceremony on Aug. 15, 2012, then Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Ray Odierno, said she unified global logistics in a way that hadn’t been done before.
"[Dunwoody] capitalized AMC's fundamental logistics functions to maximize the efficiency and services they provided of supply, maintenance, contact support, research and development, base and installation support, and deployment and distribution,” Odierno continued. “She connected AMC not only to the Army, but ensured the joint force was always ready and supplied as well."
Dunwoody has served and commanded various positions, beginning as a quartermaster officer in 1975. Her passions were initially limited to being a physical education teacher because of her love of sports, but these passions quickly extended to serving and leading Soldiers.
Dunwoody is a fourth-generation Army servicemember and is married to retired U.S. Air Force Col. Craig Brotchie; service is engrained into her life story.
Dunwoody’s awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster; Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Commendation Medal; the Army Achievement Medal; the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star; Southwest Asia Service Medal (two campaign stars); and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. Her badges include the Master Parachutist Badge and the Parachute Rigger Badge.
Dunwoody’s legacy reflects the goals and missions not only at AMC but also CECOM. Her achievements provide a foundation for the future generation of U.S. military women to reach new heights and be all they can be.
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