She was the first woman in United States military and uniformed service history to achieve a four-star officer rank, receiving her fourth star on 14 November 2008.

Ann lived in Germany and Belgium while growing up, graduating from Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) American High School in 1971.

During her junior year of college, Dunwoody attended a four-week Army introductory program that could be continued, if interested, with an eleven-week Women's Officer Orientation Course, which then led to a two-year commitment.

[10] In 1975, Dunwoody graduated from State University of New York College at Cortland with a degree in physical education—Cortland is a Top Ten school in that field—and was direct commissioned into the Women's Army Corps.

In an interview with the Military Logistics Forum, Dunwoody explained what drew her to become a soldier: I grew up in the Army and came from a family who, since 1862, has defended our nation.

It is a calling to be a soldier and there is a great sense of pride and camaraderie in serving the greatest Army in the world.Dunwoody's first assignment was as a platoon leader with the 226th Maintenance Company, 100th Supply and Services Battalion, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Dunwoody believes that the United States Army should set an example for the rest of the world and that they have "critical work left to do" in order to significantly decrease sexual assault, but they are making progress.

During her career, Dunwoody managed the largest global logistics command in Army history, with 69,000 military and civilian employees located in all 50 states and more than 140 countries, with a budget of $60 billion.

She was also responsible for oversight of approximately $70 billion in service contracts and "managed and operationalized the Army's global supply chain for numerous engagements".

And in 2005, Dunwoody became the first female soldier to achieve three-star rank since Lieutenant General Claudia J. Kennedy, the former Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, who retired in 2000.

[14] Her promotion ceremony was held at the Pentagon, with introductory speeches by United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates[15] and Army Chief of Staff General George W.

[17] Dunwoody, citing the physical toll of her present duties, declined the offer, opting to retire after finishing her tour at AMC.

Her great-grandfather, Brigadier General Henry Harrison Chase Dunwoody, a 1866 graduate of the United States Military Academy, was the Chief Signal Officer in Cuba from 1898 to 1901.