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Women reach top ranks in South Dakota National Guard
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FarkWhen Diann Deyo started with the National Guard, "a woman had to be in the administrative field," she said. Today, "we can do just about anything a man can."
Deyo is the first woman in the South Dakota National Guard to become a first sergeant. This May, she stepped into a role overseeing the 193-member Joint Forces Headquarters at Camp Rapid.
She is responsible for the accountability and welfare of her soldiers and will help guide her unit in the areas of personnel, training, logistics and unit readiness.
Deyo is one of about 460 women currently serving in the South Dakota Guard.
Overall, women now represent about 13.6 percent of the total 3,360 members.
Nearly half of the women hold leadership positions ranked E-5 and above -- 47 officers and 159 noncommissioned officers.
Deyo isn't alone when talking about recent "firsts" for women in the South Dakota National Guard over the past 10 years.
In the officer ranks, Col. Ruth Christopherson, rural Garretson, is the first woman to hold the position of chief of staff for the Air National Guard in Sioux Falls.
Nearly a decade ago, Nancy Wetherill of Rapid City became the first woman to achieve the rank of full colonel; she later became commander of the 109th Engineer Group and led the units of Task Force Coyote during a one-year tour in Afghanistan.
In 2002, Darla Crown of Rapid City became the first woman to be promoted to Chief Warrant Officer Five.
And two years ago, Kris Tvinnereim of Webster was selected as the first sergeant major. She has worked in personnel and administration for her entire 34-year career.
Despite the recent promotions, many women in the ranks are left wondering why it has taken so long for them to gain a bit of equity in what has been a male-dominated force.
"It takes an entire career for anyone, male or female, to reach these high-level ranks -- 20 to 30 years," said Maj. Deb Bartunek, deputy human resource officer who has worked equal opportunity issues works over the years.
"These women got in at the beginning and worked hard to get to the top," she said. "This is just the beginning,and we should be seeing more women in leadership positions in the future."
Women were not allowed to enlist in the Guard until the early 1970s, about the same time the military moved forward with its all-volunteer force.
It was not until September 1971 that National Guard Bureau announced that "prior service" women -- those not requiring basic or military skills training -- could be enlisted in the Army National Guard.
Having served in the Women's Army Corps from 1966-1967, Faulkton native Susan Rodriguez was the first enlisted woman to join the South Dakota National Guard when she joined in 1971. She served 33 years and retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2005.
The authority to enlist new, non-prior service, recruits into the Army Guard was issued in May 1972. Within six years, the number of women in that service climbed to nearly 13,353 nationwide.
Although women are prevented from direct combat missions, given the support roles they now play, combined with the fluid nature of modern war, it is inevitable that some women will find themselves under fire.
Now, women can serve in three-fourths of the total positions of the South Dakota Army National Guard. These jobs include maintenance, engineering, transportation, supply, administration, medical, communication, security, logistics and public affairs.
Women in the South Dakota National Guard join for different reasons
-- Col. Ruth Christopherson enlisted in the South Dakota Air National Guard in 1978 and received her commission as an officer in 1987. She is now Chief of Staff in headquarters at the air base in Sioux Falls.
Both she and her husband, Lt. Col. Reid Christopherson, have made a big impact on the Air Guard since both joined in the 1970s, colleagues say, and their son, Nathan, served in Iraq with the South Dakota Army National Guard Company B, 109th Medical Battalion.
She says women in the Guard weren't always so common. "You'd go to another base, and it's like, 'Oh, you're a woman.' If you were in uniform, the older members would always question it."
Christopherson says her passion for her work is the most important thing.
"Hopefully, I have inspired others."
-- Chief Warrant Officer Five Darla Crown joined the active-duty Army 35 years ago, right out of high school, for educational benefits and the opportunity to travel. After her three-year commitment, she joined the Guard while going to college.
Crown said being a woman in the military has never been an issue for her to achieve what she wanted to accomplish.
"I have never bought into that whole gende-difference issue," Crown said. "I have never experienced any obstacles in regard to what I wanted to accomplish."
-- Col. Nancy Wetherill grew up in a military family as her father completed a career in the Air Force. She joined the 842nd Engineer Company in 1974 while attending Black Hills State University.
Her recent deployment to Afghanistan was "no doubt" her proudest moment.
"My greatest accomplishment was leading a brigade combined task force of engineers in support of Operation Enduring Freedom," Wetherill said.
Combined Task Force Coyote cleared mines, placed thousands of cubic yards of
concrete for airfield ramps, built two of the largest detainee facilities, built hundreds of tent platforms for troops and built 27 miles of a 74 -mile road through the heart of Taliban country.
Wetherill's advice to young women considering joining is to simply do their best.
"Know your job; do it better than anyone else," Wetherill said. "Set your standards high, have passion for your position, and don't forgo your integrity to get ahead."
-- Sgt. Maj. Kris Tvinnereim did not join the Guard in a traditional manner.
Her husband was in the Guard when she started working for the Webster National Guard unit as a civilian temporary technician in 1974. At the time, she was eight months pregnant and enjoyed her work so much that she decided to enlist in July 1975.
"There is absolutely more opportunity for women now," Tvinnereim said. "When I first started, women were only in the medical or administration fields."
Tvinnereim said her job is gratifying because of others in the organization.
"Being a part of the Guard has been an extremely rewarding experience because of the quality of the people you work with," said Tvinnereim, who has served for 33 years. "There is a great opportunity to build relationships with people."
-- 1st Sgt. Diann Deyo has served in the South Dakota National Guard for 27 years. She joined the Guard to help pay for the educational costs of an associate's degree in business.
Deyo said that she feels the Guard has given her great opportunities, and she does not feel gender plays a role in the successes or failures of a soldier.
"Everyone has to work hard to get where they are going," Deyo said. "If they don't, they won't get anywhere, no matter if they are a male or female."
These women all hold leadership positions in the South Dakota National Guard. From left to right are Chief Warrant Officer Five Darla Crown, Col. Nancy Wetherill, Sgt. Maj. Kris Tvinnereim and 1st Sgt. Diann Deyo. (National Guard Photo by 1st Sgt. Donald Matthews)
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