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    Col. Leslie R. Montgomery relinquishes command of 198th RSG after nearly 30 years dedicated service

    PHOENIX, AZ, UNITED STATES

    05.05.2013

    Story by Spc. Danielle Gregory 

    123rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

    PHOENIX - There was a time when high-ranking women in the military were not as common as they are today. In the past, it was a challenge for women to move up in ranks. Today, women are starting to be allowed in combat roles and play an integral part in the military; sometimes commanding thousands of troops.

    One such woman, Col. Leslie Rae Montgomery, who is about to retire, commanded over 1000 troops as the brigade commander of the Arizona Army National Guard’s 198th Regional Support Group.

    Although Montgomery is an example of a modern woman in the military, she says that being a woman has not made a difference in her career.

    “I don’t think my life has been harder than anyone else’s just because I’m a woman,” Montgomery said. “If you are really honest, you are the one that tends to hold yourself back.”

    While Montgomery was a brigade commander, she was responsible for overseeing 17 units and all aspects of health and welfare, recruiting, training and mission execution.

    “In the last 30 years the opportunities for women and their military career fields have expanded, but I don’t think it was because of a role I played,” Montgomery said.

    Lt. Col. Larry Ostendorf, who was the commander of the 158 Combat Sustainment Support Battalion under Montgomery, said he agrees that having women in the military isn’t as a unique of an experience as it once was.

    “I would say that she paved the way for all officers. I have worked with several women commanders, and I have the upmost respect for their abilities,” Ostendorf said.

    Although Montgomery said that being a woman didn’t make a difference for her personally, she said she agrees that times are changing.

    “I think as society changes and shifts, the military is not far behind and tends to shift as well,” Montgomery said.

    Even with the increasing responsibility and respect that comes with higher rank, being a commander in today’s military can be challenging.

    “It is hard for commanders to do their jobs,” Montgomery said. “It’s easy to stand up there and say ‘I’m the commander,’ but when you actually get into it, it can be challenging.”

    Montgomery says her biggest challenge was to find ways to keep the command message simple and understood down to the lowest level.

    One of her main command messages was to keep soldiers trained and involved so that they feel like they are a part of their unit.

    “Soldiers will stay in the guard if they feel like they belong,” Montgomery said.

    Montgomery says she helped soldiers feel like they belonged by taking a chance on junior leaders.

    “If they are showing some potential, I will take a chance on them, even when they make mistakes,” Montgomery said.

    Ostendorf recognized Montgomery’s leadership abilities.

    “She has done a great job as a leader,” Ostendorf said. “She is always firm, but fair, and I think she had a great way of connecting with the common soldier.”

    “It’s all about team chemistry, diversity and relationships,” Montgomery said.

    Montgomery is retiring this year and will be replaced by Col. Steven L. Smith. She has been the commander of the brigade since January 2011.

    “I will miss those relationships and that bond that nobody except other soldiers can understand,” Montgomery said.

    Montgomery’s goal when she started as the brigade commander was to unify the three brigades in the state.

    “If I could leave a legacy, I would like to think I was a part of the brigades working closer together,” Montgomery said. “When we share talent instead of competing for talent, we get more done.”

    Montgomery was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the military in 1986, after graduating from the Oklahoma Army National Guard officer candidate school program.

    Montgomery served in more than 16 leadership roles, including commander, deputy inspector general, and director of logistics for the Arizona National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters.

    Montgomery deployed from 2004 to 2005 as the commander of Headquarters, Headquarters Detachment, 158 Corps Support Battalion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

    “I think her biggest impact was that she was the first battalion commander to deploy a logistics battalion out of our state,” Ostendorf said, “So she lead the way for our logistics community.”

    On Sunday, May 5, after nearly 30 years in service, Montgomery participated in a change of command ceremony to hand over her brigade to Smith. During the ceremony, Montgomery spoke on her legacy and what she was leaving behind, while Smith spoke on the future and what he hopes to accomplish.

    Montgomery will be retiring and plans to travel and write, but she also says she is excited for some time to just relax.

    Montgomery said after being in the military nearly 30 years, it will be hard to adjust to being a civilian. She was a military dependent as a child and then she joined the Army as an adult, but she’s ready for the change.

    “All of us go through a time where we need a break,” Montgomery said. “I am looking forward to some peace and quiet and doing nothing for just a little bit.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 05.05.2013
    Date Posted: 05.06.2013 01:04
    Story ID: 106383
    Location: PHOENIX, AZ, US
    Hometown: GILBERT, AZ, US
    Hometown: LITTLE ROCK, AR, US
    Hometown: OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, US
    Hometown: WOODWARD, OK, US

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    Downloads: 1

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