In 1973, the first woman enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard, 117 years after the guard first took form.

Nearly two decades later, female Nebraska National Guard members entered a combat zone for the first time during Operation Desert Storm.

Next week, female guard members in Nebraska take another step when the state recognizes its first female general of the Nebraska Army National Guard.

"There are a lot of women who've gone before me who've really opened some doors," said Roma Amundson, who will become a brigadier general July 11. "I'm so humbled by the fact that I've served with great women."

The 59-year-old mother of two from Walton will receive a star on each of her shoulders at a 10 a.m. ceremony July 11 at the Nebraska Air National Guard headquarters near Lincoln Airport.

Amundson will become one of just three Nebraska Army National Guard generals in the state.

"While it's a milestone, truly this is about the right person with the right leadership skills and the right capabilities being promoted to the right position that they've earned," said Nebraska Adjutant General Timothy Kadavy.

Along with her promotion, Amundson will take on a new role within the Nebraska Army National Guard - assistant adjutant general. She'll be charged with supervising training, strength management and officer assignments.

Amundson adds at least one more duty to that list: get to know people across Nebraska and National Guard leaders across the United States.

"I want to do a lot of public networking," she said.

She's already served as a spokesperson for soldiers serving at home and beyond, having written a series of articles on Nebraska military missions for the Journal Star in 2005.

"Nebraska's military personnel are spread over many countries faithfully doing the work assigned them, and they and their families are experiencing pangs of separation during this time of national celebration," she wrote two days before July 4, 2005. "Let's pray for their well-being, salute their accomplishments and thank them for their sacrifices."

As she works to accomplish her goals, Amundson will have 31 years of military experience to lean on.

She said she first became interested in the military in 1975 as a student at the University of Freiburg in Germany. After traveling to other countries, she came to appreciate all her country had to offer its citizens.

"When you travel overseas, you tend to learn about your own sense of patriotism," she said.

When she returned home, Amundson became concerned with how badly Vietnam War veterans were being treated and decided to join the National Guard.

"I found out that I enjoyed it," she said. "There was always something new happening."

After graduating from officer candidate school, Amundson went on to oversee four commands within the Nebraska Army National Guard. Her last was the 92nd Troop Command, which she led for nearly four years during the unit's extensive deployments during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

She's also served in several directorships within the state military department and serves as chairman of the guard's special emphasis program, which promotes diversity within the guard.

What's kept her tied to the National Guard for 31 years?

"I think it is the people who have kept me in," she said. "No one ever gets to any destination by themselves."

Reach Kevin Abourezk at 473-7225 or kabourezk@journalstar.com.