Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Pagenkopf, Van de Loop, Edmond, Anderson, Best
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 11/16/2011
Commissioning Ceremony Breaks Another Glass Ceiling (2nd Lieut. - 2011)
Col John Van de Loop leads Sgt. 1st Class Christina Pagenkopf in a direct commissioning ceremony Sept. 26 at Camp Williams, WI. (Contributed photo)
Sgt. 1st Class Christina Pagenkopf of Durand, formerly of Neillsville, became the first female Wisconsin National Guard soldier to commission into a basic branch Wisconsin Army National Guard history during a Sept. 26 commissioning ceremony at Camp Williams.
Until 2004, female soldiers could not receive a direct commission into one of the basic branches such as military police, quartermaster and signal corps.
Pagenkopf encountered resistance when she started pursuing the idea of becoming an officer in late 2009, as many people told her a female could not receive a direct commission into a basic branch.
“I didn’t believe them,” she said, and checked into Army regulations. She learned the regulations had changed – since 2004 there have been no rules preventing her from at least attempting to become an officer.
The process of earning a direct commission take many months and exceeds what is required for a soldier to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS). According to Army regulations, not only must the candidate be “exceptionally qualified,” they must also be a non-commissioned officer (NCO), be at least 22 years old, hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, pass the Army physical fitness test with a minimum of 70 points in each event and meet the rigorous medical screening requirements.
“I didn’t want to be stuck – I wanted to grow and not miss any opportunities,” she said. Pagenkopf also said she wanted to influence others and becoming an officer would provide that opportunity.
“I just wanted to further my career,” she said, shrugging off the “first female” label.
In a recommendation letter, Lt. Col. Edmond, commander of the 732nd Combat Support Sustainment Battalion, said of Pagenkopf. “She is an exceptionally talented and gifted NCO who consistently produces superb results. Her appointment will greatly enhance the Officer Corps of the Wisconsin Army National Guard and the United States Army.”
In addition to getting her battalion commander’s approval, Pagenkopf also had to meet with – and gain the approval of – Brig. Gen. Mark Anderson, commander of the Wisconsin Army National Guard.
At the commissioning ceremony, Capt. David Best, who pinned the officer rank on her uniform, said he knew her potential when she served as his platoon sergeant on deployment.
“She was one of the best platoon sergeants out there,” he said. “Her new platoon sergeant will have to use minimum time training her because of her exceptional skills and work ethic. She epitomizes the first line of the NCO creed, which states ‘No one is more professional than I.’”
Sgt. 1st Class Christina is “pinned” with Second lieutenant rank by Capt. David Best during a direct commissioning ceremony Sept. 26 at Camp Williams, WI. (Contributed photo)
