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Woman to command Alabama National Guard for first time

FILE - In this June 21, 2013, file photo, the seal affixed to the front of the Department of Veterans Affairs building in Washington. Congressional Republicans and Democrats have reached initial agreement on the biggest expansion of college aid for military veterans in a decade. It would remove a 15-year time limit to tap into benefits and boost money for thousands in the National Guard and Reserve.(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File) FILE - In this June 21, 2013, file photo, the seal affixed to the front of the Department of Veterans Affairs building in Washington. Congressional Republicans and Democrats have reached initial agreement on the biggest expansion of college aid for military veterans in a decade. It would remove a 15-year time limit to tap into benefits and boost money for thousands in the National Guard and Reserve.(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

By Associated Press July 18, 2017 1 min read

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Major General Sheryl Gordon has been named to command the Alabama National Guard, becoming the first woman to hold the post.

AL.com reports that Gov. Kay Ivey selected Gordon as adjutant general on Monday, calling her a “trailblazer and visionary leader” in a press release.

Gordon became a second lieutenant in 1981, brigadier general in 2009 and major general two years later. She currently serves as the executive director of the National Guard Association of Alabama and has previously served as the deputy adjutant general, commander of the 62nd Troop Command and garrison commander of the Ft. McClellan Training Center.

She takes over the position on Aug. 1, replacing the retiring Major General Perry Smith.