Maine Army National Guard's Diane Dunn promoted to brigadier general

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AUGUSTA, MAINE (08/03/2020) (readMedia)-- The Adjutant General for Maine, Maj. Gen. Douglas A. Farnham, is pleased to announce the promotion of Diane L. Dunn, of Newburgh, to the rank of brigadier general. Dunn, the Assistant Adjutant General of the Maine Army National Guard, was promoted from colonel to brigadier general in a 3 p.m. ceremony on July 30 at Camp Chamberlain in Augusta.

The event was both a socially-distanced in-person ceremony and a streamed broadcast for family, friends and National Guard members. Dunn becomes the first female general officer in the 200-year history of the Maine Army National Guard.

During the ceremony, former Army Lt. Col. Dr. Robert F. Danner joined virtually from Houghton, N.Y., to administer the oath of office to Dunn. The tradition held a special meaning to both Dunn and Danner, as Danner originally administered the oath to Dunn at Houghton College when she first commissioned 32 years ago.

Dunn, 54, started her career in 1988 as a second lieutenant and initially served as a freight movement officer with the 3620th Transportation Detachment, in Augusta.

Throughout her career that has spanned over three decades, Dunn has held many leadership positions. She has served as company commander of the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 286th Supply Services Battalion in Bangor, battalion commander of the 240th Regional Training Institute while it was in Augusta, battalion commander of the 286th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion in both Bangor and Afghanistan, and brigade commander of the 120th Regional Support Group in Bangor. She was the first female to command a brigade in the Maine Army National Guard.

Dunn has also completed several key staff and special staff positions to include joint regional exercise branch chief for the U.S. Northern Command in Colorado Springs, Colo., the multi-state planner for a regional emergency management exercise; and Maine National Guard Army Chief of Staff for the past four years.

During her remarks, Dunn thanked family, friends, fellow Soldiers, and retirees for the support and mentorship provided to her during her career.

"It has been an incredible honor to have such outstanding support throughout every facet of my career," said Dunn. "I am proud to be a member of Maine Army National Guard and I am truly humbled to continue to work with, and lead, so many dedicated Soldiers."

Dunn highlighted lessons she learned for each decade she's served in the Army, and reflected on the people and events that helped shape her life and career leading to her current position.

After her remarks, she received her first salute as a general officer from her son, Pvt. Marcus Dunn, a newly-enlisted infantryman in the Maine Army National Guard.

Brig. Gen. Dunn holds master's degrees from both the University of Maine and the U.S. Army War College.

Her awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak-leaf-clusters.

For media inquiries, please contact Maj. Alex Wild at alexander.g.wild.mil@mail.mil.

Captions:

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The Adjutant General for Maine, Maj. Gen. Douglas A. Farnham, removes Diane L. Dunn's colonel rank epaulettes during her promotion ceremony to brigadier general on July 30, 2020, at Camp Chamberlain in Augusta. Her friends and family attended the event, either in person or virtually through a streamed broadcast. Dunn is the first female general officer in the 200-year history of the Maine Army National Guard. (Maine National Guard Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Alyson J. Pelletier)

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Brig. Gen. Diane L. Dunn is assisted by Sgt. Allison Alcantara, guidon bearer, and Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Dill, Maine Army National Guard State Command Sergeant Major, as her general officer flag is unfurled during Dunn's promotion ceremony held on July 30, 2020, at Camp Chamberlain in Augusta. Her friends and family attended the event, either in person or virtually through a streamed broadcast. It is tradition that every general officer have their own flag denoting their branch of service and rank. The flag will be displayed in her office and at military events she attends. Dunn is the first female general officer in the 200-year history of the Maine Army National Guard. (Maine National Guard Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Alyson J. Pelletier)

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Brig. Gen. Diane L. Dunn has her new rank placed on her uniform by her husband, James Dunn, and daughter, Kayla Dunn. Dunn is the first female general officer in the 200-year history of the Maine Army National Guard. Her friends and family attended the event, either in person or virtually through a streamed broadcast. Her promotion ceremony was held on July 30, 2020, at Camp Chamberlain in Augusta. (Maine National Guard Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Alyson J. Pelletier)

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Brig. Gen. Diane L. Dunn recites her oath of office, administered virtually by former Army Lt. Col. Dr. Robert Danner, who also administered her oath of office when she first commissioned as an officer 32 years ago. Dunn is the first female general officer in the 200-year history of the Maine Army National Guard. Her friends and family attended the event, either in person or virtually through a streamed broadcast. Her promotion ceremony was held on July 30, 2020, at Camp Chamberlain in Augusta. (Maine National Guard Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Alyson J. Pelletier)

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Brig. Gen. Diane L. Dunn receives her first salute as a general officer from her son, Pvt. Marcus Dunn. Dunn is the first female general officer in the 200-year history of the Maine Army National Guard. Her promotion ceremony was held on July 30, 2020, at Camp Chamberlain in Augusta. Dunn's friends and family attended the event, either in person or virtually through a streamed broadcast. (Maine National Guard Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Alyson J. Pelletier)