Retired Army Brig. Gen. Diane Dunn, confirmed by the Maine Senate as the state’s adjutant-general and leader of the Maine National Guard, is the first woman to hold this position.
On Thursday, the Senate approved the nomination with a vote of 33-1.
Dunn pledged to “work hard every day and lead with integrity” to fulfill the department’s responsibilities to protect lives, freedom, and property for the people of Maine.
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Dunn, once she is sworn in as the new Maine National Guard leader, will also be responsible for the Maine Bureau of Veterans Services, and the Maine Emergency Management Agency.
Dunn retired in 2021 and served as senior advisor and chief of Staff to the President of the University of Maine at Machias and the University of Maine at Maine.
Senators praised Dunn’s experience, which included 33 years of service. Dunn served as the assistant adjutant-general and chief of staff for the Maine Army National Guard during her career. She deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and commanded the 286th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.
Dunn, who retired from the National Guard at the end of 2021, has been a senior adviser and chief of staff for the president of both the University of Maine at Machias and the University of Maine at Portland.
Only Republican Senator Eric Brakey from Auburn voted against Dunn. He stated that he did not vote for confirmation because Dunn refused to support legislation allowing states to refuse sending their National Guards to overseas conflicts unless Congress had declared war.