LAURA YEAGER; FIRST WOMAN TO HEAD US ARMY INFANTRY
Maj. Gen. Laura Yeager is the first
woman to lead a US Army infantry division.
The
California National Guard's 40th Infantry Division has been led by men since it
was formed in 1917, the guard said in a news release. Its soldiers have fought
in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and most recently, in
Afghanistan.
Yeager
assumed command of the division Saturday during a ceremony at the Joint Forces
Training Base at Los Alamitos, California. She assumes command from Maj. Gen.
Mark Malanka, who is retiring.
In
2016, Yeager was promoted to brigadier general, making her, at that time, the
fourth female general in California National Guard history. Ahead of her
promotion, she spoke to the Defevce Department News Service about being a woman
in the military.
"As
a female, I have found the military to provide opportunities and benefits
unmatched by any profession," Yeager said in 2016.
"Clearly,
females are in the minority within the military, yet in every assignment I have
held, my mostly male peers, subordinates and superiors have supported me,
treated me with respect, coached, mentored and advised me. At the same time, I
have been inspired by the incredibly strong and amazing women I have served
with and for."
She
also spoke about being inspired by her father, retired California National
Guard Maj. Gen. Robert Brandt, who was also a helicopter pilot who served two
tours in Vietnam.
Brig. Gen. Laura Yeager is seen here in 2013 with her father,
retired California National Guard Maj. Gen. Robert Brandt.
"Definitely being in command
are the assignments and memories I most cherish, all the way from being a
platoon leader to brigade command," she said in 2016. "I was
especially proud to have commanded the same brigade, the 40th CAB, my father
once commanded."
Yeager began her active duty
career in the military in 1986. She went on to complete military helicopter
training and flew UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters during a combat deployment to
Iraq. When her son was born she left active duty, but later continued her
career with the California Army National Guard.
Accoding to her military resume, she
has over 1,500 flight hours. She is also highly decorated and has received the
Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal, among others.
She was the commander of the
Joint Task Force North in Fort Bliss, Texas.
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