HarringtonANCHORAGE, Alaska— The Alaska Army National Guard is composed of 1,900 citizen soldiers, of those only 320 are women.

With more than 25 years of experience in military administration, logistics and maintenance, along with a tour to Afghanistan, where she was awarded the Bronze Star, Harrington was selected to be the first female state command sergeant major for the Alaska Army National Guard, effective June 1.

“Command Sgt. Maj. Pamela Harrington was selected because she has demonstrated through her professionalism, leadership and hard work that she is one of the best senior non-commissioned officers that the Alaska National Guard has ever had,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Gordon Choate, senior enlisted advisor to the adjutant general, Alaska National Guard. “It was a very easy choice to pick her as number one.”

Choate, the outgoing state command sergeant major, said the Alaska Army National Guard is a diverse organization with many opportunities for all soldiers.

As the state command sergeant major, Harrington will advise Brig. Gen. Leon M. “Mike” Bridges, commander of the Alaska Army National Guard, on enlisted soldier-related issues, such as enforcement of policies, training and quality of life.

“I’ve watched her advance through the ranks of senior non-commissioned officer leadership,” Bridges said. “She is highly confident, highly qualified and I trust her implicitly to be the standards bearer for the enlisted corps.”