Wisconsin native Brigadier General Joane Mathews retires after historic military career

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- A Wisconsinite and Native American made a decades-long career out of shattering glass ceilings in the Army National Guard.

Now, she's retiring and going into the private sphere.

We're talking about Brigadier General Joane Mathews.

She's from the Lac Du Flambeau reservation in northern Wisconsin.

While she finished her career as the first female Native American to serve as Deputy Adjutant General, she was also the "first in a slew" of other roles.

"When I first joined the Army years ago, I sat down with my two sisters and we talked about our two goals, what our goals were at the time. We each had our own career goals and aspirations," said Brig. Gen. Joane Mathews.

"And I said, if I make Lieutenant Colonel, I'd be so happy. And I made Lieutenant Colonel, then Colonel, then General Officer. And I never in my wildest dreams number 1, thought I'd be serving beyond my 6 year obligation. and number 2, I never thought I would make General Officer.

Mathews has had a 36-year military career -- starting back in 1986.