First Female Commander to Deploy to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba In Support of the Global War on Terrorism with the 216th Military Police Guard Company Arkansas Army National Guard

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Betty Anderson:

LTC Anderson was born in Hayti, Missouri. She graduated from South Pemiscot High School located in Steele, Missouri in 1986. In 1990, LTC Anderson received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky and in 1993, she received her Master’s in Public Administration from Arkansas State University, Jonesboro.

Her military career started on December 31, 1985, when she enlisted in the United States Army Reserve. While attending college at Murray State University, she joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps Program and received her Commission as a Second Lieutenant in May 1990. After completing the ROTC Program, LTC Anderson was assigned to the United States Army Reserve’s 207th Chemical Company in Blytheville, Arkansas.

LTC Anderson began her illustrious military career in the Arkansas Army National Guard on June 1, 1996, with her first assignment as the Rear Area Security Officer at the 25th Support Detachment (RTOC), North Little Rock. She served as Commander of the 216th Military Police Company, West Memphis from 2001-2004. As the Commander of the 216th Military Police Company, LTC Anderson deployed to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri in support of “Operation Noble Eagle.”

In 2003, the 216th Military Police Guard Company deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in support of the Global War on Terrorism. LTC Anderson was the first Female Commander to deploy the 216th Military Police Guard Company to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in the history of the Arkansas Army National Guard.

After serving as Company Commander, LTC Anderson served in various other assignments in the Arkansas Army National Guard. In 2004, she was assigned as the Assistant Operations Officer for the 25th Support Center (RTOC) and she served as the Equal Opportunity Advisor for 87th Troop Command from 2006-2009. LTC Anderson served as Adjunct Faculty for (DEOMI) Defense Equal Management Institute from 2008-2011. In 2011, she deployed with the 77th Aviation Brigade as an Equal Opportunity Advisor/Deployable Sexual Assault Response Coordinator in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom Campaign. In 2012, LTC Anderson served as the Provost Marshal for the Institute Support Unit (ISU), Camp J.T. Robinson. She was assigned as a Selective Service Officer for Joint Force Headquarters Arkansas in 2014. In 2015, LTC Anderson was assigned as the Deputy Commander of the Marksmanship Training Unit Brigade Headquarters, Camp J.T. Robinson.

LTC Anderson’s military education includes the Military Police Officer Basic Course, Military Police Officer Advance Course, Company/Battery Commanders Course, Corrections Internment and Resettlement Course, Equal Opportunity Reserve Component Course, Equal Opportunity Mediation Course, Combined Arms Exercise Training and the Command and General Staff Officer Course – Intermediate Level Education.

For her outstanding service, she has been awarded the following awards and recognition to include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Reserve Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Service Ribbon, Parachute Badge, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M’ Device, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Arkansas Service Ribbon, Arkansas Federal Service Ribbon and the Arkansas Emergency Service Ribbon.

LTC Anderson began her civilian career in 1993 as a Human Resources Generalist with the City of Jacksonville. To gain experience, she went on to work for several other Government Agencies. From 1995-1997 she worked as an Employment Services Coordinator for Pulaski County Government. In 1997-2001, she began her first Management position for Arkansas Rehabilitation Services as the Assistant Personnel Manager/Grievance Officer.

However, she found her perfect spot with the City of North Little Rock. In 2001, she was hired by former North Little Rock Mayor Patrick H. Hays, as the Equal Opportunity/Fair Housing Director and in 2008; she was promoted to Human Resources Director. LTC Anderson currently works for the City of North Little Rock under Mayor Terry C. Hartwick. She serves as the Human Resources Director, and she also manages the Equal Opportunity Division.

LTC Anderson retired from the military with over 27 years of distinguished service. She currently resides in Maumelle, Arkansas.