Alabama National Guard's first female general to retire

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Maj. Gen. Sheryl E. Gordon, Alabama National Guard's first female general officer, will retire Sept. 27, 2013, after more than 32 years of service.

MONTGOMERY, AL (09/24/2013)(readMedia)-- After more than 32 years as an Army officer in the Alabama National Guard, Maj. Gen. Sheryl E. Gordon will retire Sept. 27, 2013. Gordon's latest assignment was the assistant adjutant general, a primary advisor to the Alabama Guard's top officer.

Gordon made history in 2009 when she became the Alabama National Guard's first female general officer. She was promoted to major general in 2011.

Prior to her time as assistant adjutant general, Gordon retired from a long career in education as the assistant principal of Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City.

Throughout her military career, Gordon held several key staff positions and commanded at various levels of command, always earning accolades for her professionalism and leadership. During her many years of service, Gordon has been decorated with many awards including the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters and various state awards. As the primary advisor to the adjutant general, Gordon has served as the senior Army officer on the Alabama Armory Commission and represents the adjutant general and the Alabama National Guard at local, state and national functions.

"Maj. Gen. Gordon has excelled as an officer in the United States Army," said Maj. Gen. Perry G. Smith, the Alabama National Guard's adjutant general. "She is the first female general officer in the Alabama National Guard and is one of only two female major generals in all of the 358,000 Soldiers in the Army National Guard. Her real mark on the National Guard will be the impact she has had on young Soldiers throughout her career with her exceptional leadership and mentorship. She will be greatly missed and we all wish her the best in her retirement."

The Alabama National Guard will host a retirement ceremony for Maj. Gen. Gordon Friday, Sept. 27, 2013 at 3:00 p.m., at the Alabama National Guard Headquarters Armed Forces Readiness Center, 1720 Congressman W.L. Dickinson Dr., Montgomery, Ala. Media are invited to attend.

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