SMYRNA, Del.- The Delaware Army National Guard promoted its first female citizen soldier to the general officer ranks on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Smyrna Readiness Center in Smyrna. Brig. Gen. Karen Berry, the Delaware National Guard’s director of joint staff, pinned on her new rank in front of family, friends and Delaware National Guard members, marking a significant event in the DNG’s 363 years of history. “I often get asked why I joined the National Guard and why I’m still here 31-years later,” Berry said, addressing the event attendees. “I’ve stayed all these years because many of you who are here today – you are part of my family, and I love my National Guard family.” Berry began her military career in 1987, enlisting in the Delaware National Guard where she was assigned as a flight operations specialist for the DEARNG’s aviation unit. She commissioned as a 2nd Lt., assigned as a utilities maintenance officer, and recently was deployed for a one-year tour to Afghanistan in 2017.
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