Wednesday was a historic day for the Montana Army National Guard as they welcomed their female Colonel. The Guard promoted Patty Wood following 19 years of military achievements.

Col. Wood is a full-time military technician and the guard's Deputy State Surgeon who say she's honored by the historical promotion but still considers herself a soldier.

"Hopefully it doesn't matter if we're male or female, that all of us can be good leaders, and strong leaders, and do the best job that we can."  

In addition to being a Colonel Woods is a Great Falls native, mother of three and a grandmother.

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(from July 18, 2007)

A member of the Montana Army National Guard is making history thanks to an upcoming promotion.

Lieutenant Colonel Patty Wood puts her family first and her husband and three kids usually find her cooking, cleaning or enjoying a good card game. But when she's not spending time at her lakeside home, the full-time military technician is busy with her career.

Soon the Great Falls native will have to find a new balance as she becomes a part of history. Officials with the Montana Army National Guard recently announced they will name Lt. Col. Wood its first female Colonel.

"It's a great honor, and I'm thrilled to death to take such a wonderful promotion."

Lt. Col. Wood remains humble about the promotion saying it's simply the next step in her career. In nearly 19 years she's gone from being a U.S. Army Reserve Clinical Nurse to the Montana Army National Guard's Deputy State Surgeon.

"I've done my military education in preparing for taking on the additional responsibility."

Lt. Col. Wood will leave for an 11 month program at a Senior Service College following her promotion and she's excited about the additional military education, but says she'll be eager to return home to her family.

Lt. Col. Patty Wood's promotion became official on Wednesday.