Martha T. Rainville ( née Trim, born April 9, 1958) is a retired

U.S. Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Sign ...

officer who attained the rank of

major general Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of ...

. She was the first woman in U.S. history to become a state

adjutant general An adjutant general is a military chief administrative officer. France In Revolutionary France, the was a senior staff officer, effectively an assistant to a general officer. It was a special position for lieutenant-colonels and colonels in staf ...

when she served in that post with the

Vermont National Guard The Vermont National Guard is composed of the Vermont Army National Guard and the Vermont Air National Guard. Together, they are collectively known as the Green Mountain Boys. Both units use the original Revolutionary War-era Flag of the Green ...

. In 2006 she ran as the

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

candidate for

Vermont's at-large congressional district Vermont has been represented in the United States House of Representatives by a single at-large congressional district since the 1930 census, when the state lost its second seat, obsoleting its 1st and 2nd congressional districts. There were on ...

and was defeated by Democratic candidate

Peter Welch Peter Francis Welch (born May 2, 1947) is an American lawyer and politician who is a United States senator-elect from Vermont, and the current U.S. representative for since 2007. A member of the Democratic Party, he has been a major figure i ...

. Rainville was later appointed to senior executive roles at

FEMA The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), initially created under President Jimmy Carter by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978 and implemented by two Ex ...

, and then became Chief Operating Officer of Civil Support International LLC, a disaster preparedness and crisis response consulting firm.

Early life and education

Rainville was born in

New London, Connecticut New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States, located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, Connecticut. It was one of the world's three busiest whaling ports for several decade ...

while her father was serving in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

, and she was raised in

Mississippi Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...

after her father's retirement. She graduated from Chamberlain-Hunt Academy in 1975, and received a

Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four year ...

Education Education is a purposeful activity directed at achieving certain aims, such as transmitting knowledge or fostering skills and character traits. These aims may include the development of understanding, rationality, kindness, and honesty ...

from the

University of Mississippi The University of Mississippi ( byname Ole Miss) is a public research university that is located adjacent to Oxford, Mississippi, and has a medical center in Jackson. It is Mississippi's oldest public university and its largest by enrollment ...

(1979).

Military career

Following graduation, she entered the

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Aerial warfare, air military branch, service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part ...

, and was a 1979 Distinguished Graduate of the United States Air Force Officer Basic Military Training Program at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. She served on active duty from 1978 to 1984, then transferred to the New York Air National Guard. She also served in the Air Force Reserve before transferring to the

Vermont Air National Guard The Vermont Air National Guard (VT ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of Vermont, United States of America. It is, along with the Vermont Army National Guard, an element of the Vermont National Guard. The 158th Fighter Wing is its sole un ...

. Rainville specialized in the planning and management of aircraft maintenance and advanced through the ranks to lieutenant colonel and commander of Vermont's 158th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

Adjutant general

In February 1997, Rainville won the

Vermont General Assembly The Vermont General Assembly is the legislative body of the state of Vermont, in the United States. The Legislature is formally known as the "General Assembly," but the style of "Legislature" is commonly used, including by the body itself. The G ...

's election for

of the State of Vermont. In most states the adjutant general is appointed by the governor; in Vermont the state legislature chooses. The election for a two-year term is held in February of each odd-numbered year, and the term starts in March. Rainville became the first woman in U.S. history to serve as head of a state's National Guard, and commanded the 3,800 members of the Vermont Army and Air National Guard until her retirement in 2006. Along with her work in Vermont, Rainville served on the

Reserve Forces Policy Board The Reserve Forces Policy Board (RFPB) is a federal advisory committee established by statute within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Its purpose is to "serve as an independent adviser to the Secretary of Defense to provide advice and recomm ...

, the executive committee of the Adjutant Generals Association of the United States, and was elected vice chair for Air of the

National Guard Association of the United States The National Guard Association of the United States was founded in 1878 as a congressional lobbying organization for National Guard issues. A member of the Military Coalition, NGAUS lobbies on behalf of 45,000 officers who comprise the membership ...

board of directors.

Effective dates of promotion

* Second Lieutenant, September 19, 1979 *

First Lieutenant First lieutenant is a commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces; in some forces, it is an appointment. The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations, but in most forces it is sub-divided into a ...

, September 19, 1981 * Captain, October 19, 1984 * Major, January 5, 1991 * Lieutenant Colonel, August 28, 1995 *

Colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge o ...

, June 28, 1998 *

Brigadier General Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...

, October 29, 1999 *

Major General Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of ...

, March 30, 2001

Military assignments

#September 1979 - March 1980, student, 3353 School Squadron, Chanute Tactical Training Center, Ill. #March 1980 - September 1980, assistant officer-in-charge, 4756th Aircraft Generation Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. #September 1980 - November 1981, assistant maintenance supervisor, 325th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Air Force Base, Fla #November 1981 - May 1982, unit logistics program officer, 49th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Griffis Air Force Base, N.Y. #May 1982 - October 1982, officer-in-charge, Plans Program and Mobility, 49th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Griffis Air Force Base, N.Y. #November 1982 - January 1984, officer-in-charge, Maintenance Control, 49th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Griffis Air Force Base, N.Y. #January 1984 - July 1985, officer-in-charge, Avionics Branch, 174th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, New York Air National Guard, Syracuse, N.Y. #July 1985 - July 1987, education training safety officer, 934th Combat Support Squadron, United States Air Force Reserve, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. #July 1987 - July 1988, unit plans officer, 934th Combat Support Squadron, United States Air Force Reserve, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. #August 1988 - July 1991, aircraft maintenance officer, 158th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Vermont Air National Guard, Burlington, Vt. #July 1991 - February 1997, commander, 158th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Vermont Air National Guard, Burlington, Vt. #March 1997 - April 2006, adjutant general of Vermont, Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt.

Military education

* Squadron Officer School (Correspondence), 1988 *

Air Command and Staff College The Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) is located at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama and is the United States Air Force's intermediate-level Professional Military Education (PME) school. It is a subordinate command of the Air Univ ...

(Correspondence), 1994 *

Air War College The Air War College (AWC) is the senior Professional Military Education (PME) school of the U.S. Air Force. A part of the United States Air Force's Air University, AWC emphasizes the employment of air, space, and cyberspace in joint operation ...

(Correspondence), 1997

Military awards

Air Force Distinguished Service Medal The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (AFDSM) is a military decoration of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force and is presented to airmen and guardians to recognize distinguished and exceptionally meritorious service to ...

* Legion of Merit *

Meritorious Service Medal A Meritorious Service Medal is an award presented to denote acts of meritorious service, and sometimes gallantry, that are worthy of recognition. Notable medals with similar names include: * Meritorious Civilian Service Award *Meritorious Service Me ...

Air Force Commendation Medal The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. Each branch of the United States Armed Forces issues its own version of the Commendation Medal, with a fifth ...

with four

oak leaf cluster An oak leaf cluster is a ribbon device to denote preceding decorations and awards consisting of a miniature bronze or silver twig of four oak leaves with three acorns on the stem. It is authorized by the United States Armed Forces for a speci ...

s * Air Force Achievement Medal *

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award The Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award (ASOUA) is one of the unit awards of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force. It was established in 1954 as the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and was the first independent Air Force d ...

* Air Force Organizational Excellence Award *

National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) is a service award of the United States Armed Forces established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. It is awarded to every member of the US Armed Forces who has served during any one of four ...

Armed Forces Reserve Medal The Armed Forces Reserve Medal (AFRM) is a service medal of the United States Armed Forces that has existed since 1950. The medal recognizes service performed by members of the reserve components and is awarded to both officers and enlisted per ...

Air Force Longevity Service Award The Air and Space Longevity Service Award (ASLSA) is a military award of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force established as the Air Force Longevity Service Award by Air Force General Order 60, on 25 November 1957 by General ...

with silver oak leaf cluster * Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon *

Air Force Training Ribbon The Air and Space Training Ribbon (ASTR) is the lowest military award of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force, ranking only above foreign military awards. The Air and Space Training Ribbon was authorized as the Air Force T ...

* Vermont National Guard Outstanding Unit Award *Vermont National Guard Service Ribbon with 2 bronze

service star A service star is a miniature bronze or silver five-pointed star inch (4.8 mm) in diameter that is authorized to be worn by members of the eight uniformed services of the United States on medals and ribbons to denote an additional award or se ...

s *Vermont National Guard Duty Ribbon with 4 bronze service stars

Campaign for Congress

In 2005, Rainville began consulting with members of the Republican and Democratic parties regarding a possible run for the U.S. House of Representatives or the

U.S. Senate The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and pow ...

. She was courted by members of both parties and announced in the spring of 2006 that she would run for Vermont's U.S. House seat as a Republican, intending to base her campaign on government reform and

ethics Ethics or moral philosophy is a branch of philosophy that "involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior".''Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' The field of ethics, along with aesthetics, concer ...

homeland security Homeland security is an American national security term for "the national effort to ensure a homeland that is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other hazards where American interests, aspirations, and ways of life can thrive" t ...

, and a strong national defense. She won the Republican nomination with 71 percent of the primary vote, to 28 for Mark Shepard, a member of the

Vermont Senate The Vermont Senate is the upper house of the Vermont General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Vermont. The senate consists of 30 members. Senate districting divides the 30 members into three single-member districts, six two-m ...

. Rainville was the Republican nominee against Democrat

for the seat Bernie Sanders was leaving to run for the U.S. Senate. She signed a Clean Campaign Pledge in which she vowed to not attack her opponent, and condemned negative TV ads by outside parties. Rainville's campaign, though a positive one, made some gaffes including an incident in which one of her staffers was found to have plagiarized portions of issue position statements posted to Rainville's campaign website, which resulted in a drop for Rainville in pre-election public opinion polls. A strong national anti-Republican wave, based partially on dwindling support for the post-invasion Iraqi occupation, combined with a desire to restore Democrats to a Congressional oversight role of the

George W. Bush George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. A member of the Republican Party, Bush family, and son of the 41st president George H. W. Bush, he ...

administration, made winning the seat an uphill battle. On

Election Day Election day or polling day is the day on which general elections are held. In many countries, general elections are always held on a Saturday or Sunday, to enable as many voters as possible to participate; while in other countries elections a ...

, Welch won the seat 53.2 percent to 44.5, with minor candidates splitting the rest of the vote.

FEMA

In 2007, Rainville was appointed counselor to the Department of Homeland Security's

Federal Emergency Management Agency The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), initially created under President Jimmy Carter by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978 and implemented by two Ex ...

(FEMA) administrator and deputy administrator for Continuity Programs. Rainville was responsible for ensuring that FEMA performed its role as Lead Agent for Federal Executive Branch Continuity Programs and served until 2009.

Continued career

After leaving FEMA, Rainville worked in the private sector as President of Rainville & Associates, a consulting firm for corporations working to develop or expand their National Guard or homeland security-related activities. She later served as Chief Operating Officer of Civil Support International LLC, a disaster preparedness and crisis response consulting firm.

Personal life

Rainville is the daughter of the late Nick and Lucille Trim of

Port Gibson, Mississippi Port Gibson is a city in Claiborne County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 1,567 at the 2010 census. Port Gibson is the county seat of Claiborne County, which is bordered on the west by the Mississippi River. It is the site of the ...

. She was married to Norman Rainville, whom she met while both served in the Air Force; they had three children and divorced in 2003. In 2009 she married

Paul McHale Paul Francis McHale Jr. (born July 26, 1950) is an American lawyer and politician. From 2003 to 2009, he served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense. Additionally, from 1993 to 1999, he represented Pennsylvania's 15th con ...

, a former Democratic Congressman from Pennsylvania and former Assistant Secretary of Defense.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Rainville, Martha 1958 births Living people People from New London, Connecticut People from Port Gibson, Mississippi University of Mississippi alumni Vermont Republicans Candidates in the 2006 United States elections 21st-century American politicians Women in Vermont politics 21st-century American women politicians National Guard (United States) generals Female generals of the United States Air Force Vermont National Guard personnel Air War College alumni Air Command and Staff College alumni Recipients of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Recipients of the Legion of Merit Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States)