For the first time in U.S. history, a woman is in charge of the largest command in the Army.
Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson is the acting commander of the United States Army Forces Command, also known as FORSCOM. Around 770,000 soldiers make up the command, which is headquartered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. While she has broken a glass ceiling as acting commander, she isn't permanently in charge quite yet.
An Army spokesperson told CNN she will lead FORSCOM until a General Commander is officially named and confirmed by the Senate. The spokesperson said Richardson is one of a number of highly qualified officers being considered.
Richardson's career in the service has been made of many firsts for women. Last year, she became the first female deputy commanding general of FORSCOM. In 2012, she was the first female division deputy commander to lead "America's First Team." While she was in that role, men made up nearly 85 percent of the Army.
She has also served as the military aide to the vice president and as one of the Army's liaison officers to the United States Senate, according to CNN.
FORSCOM's previous commander, Gen. Robert Abrams, left the post to lead U.S. Forces Korea, according to a press release.
Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.
