WARREN — In 1975, Warren resident Denise Boudreau enlisted in the Army Reserves. About three-and-a-half years later, she enrolled in officer candidate school, eventually leading her to become one of the first female reserve officers to graduate from Fort Benning in Georgia. From November of 2007 to January of 2009, Ms. Boudreau deployed to Iraq to serve as a logistics officer. There, she managed base renovations, philanthropic projects and the building of Camp Taji’s Theater Internment Facility Reconciliation Center (TIFRC), a detainee center for Iraqis. She could not comment on why detainees would be kept there.

But while she has enjoyed her military career, times weren’t always cushy. During sand storms, bases were most vulnerable because detection software could not monitor incoming shells. Once, an enemy rocket went right through the military salon’s walls. Sanitary conditions were faulty, as facilities would sometimes become unavailable. And because she was a woman in a Muslim country, she said, extreme precautions had to be taken since was told a $10,000 enemy bounty was out for her capture.

After the Saddam Hussein’s execution, U.S. troops took reign over his main headquarters, a palace complete with elaborate chandeliers and ornate ceilings. Currently soldiers are using the palace for operations; Ms. Boudreau has worked there. A giant quilted flag depicting a U. S. flag has been hung up against the wall.

She received the Bronze Star Medal in March of 2009 for her “exceptionally meritorious service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom while serving as the logistics support officer” at the end of her career. In the upcoming weeks, she will be returning - but this time as a contractor.

Outnumbered: “It wasn’t common for women to join the military. At Fort Benning, there were five women to one-hundred-and-something men. “

In the field: “I would find out what the soldiers needed and go to the site, initiate follow through … The military was big on safety, there were some electrical problems where soldiers got hurt. The Iraqis needed upgrades. Their plumbing, especially. Their pipes were so small.”

Men vs. women: “Physically, they separated us. But they hadn’t made the rules yet for women. Like the SOP, standing operating procedure, wasn’t ironed out. For officers, there is a regimented structured procedure. In the medicine cabinets, everything had to have its own place. But they forgot to account for women things. We didn’t know what to do during inspections.”

Competitive streaks: “I loved being ahead of everybody. I always thought ‘I can do it.’ I was fit and trim when I was doing PT (physical training). I remember hurting my ligament in my leg and it hurting really badly when I ran. The clinic said they would send me home if I came back again. I said, ‘no you aren’t.’ You just have to push through it, even if you have tears in eyes.”

Proving it: “I always had the drive to excel. I had to do twice of what’s expected because I always had to prove myself. They were watching me to say, ‘can she make it? Does a woman fit in the military?’ They always watched me closely in the weapons range. But after they saw me shoot they called me Captain Annie Oakley. I said, ‘I’ll shoot off my weapon while you shoot off your mouth.’”

Laying down the hammer: “I always get the job done. If there’s a problem area, they try to send Boudreau. I had to do something right to last 34 years in the military.”

Family support: “I’ve missed two Christmases in the past years. But my family is supportive … My sister lives across the street.”

Impressing the rookies: “One time a young, 20, 21-year-old soldier met me at a PX. He saw the eagle on my vest. He said, ‘Wow, a female colonel. I’ve never met a colonel.’ There were 20,000 people on base and I was the only female colonel.”

A certain mentality: “I always wanted to finish my career in an active duty status. You have to be prepared for the unexpected. They say you have to be directly aware of the surroundings.”