It's unknown at this point whether Stevens will be deployed again or how her Guard duties will mix with her responsibilities and appearances around the state as Miss Utah. She has about 18 months left on an eight-year contract with the Guard.

Utah Guard spokesman Maj. Hank McIntire said having a Miss America 2008 contestant among the ranks here is a positive thing.

"It draws attention to the Guard in a unique way," McIntire said. "You don't typically see a beauty queen in combat boots."

Stevens' title, he said, adds a new dimension to the kinds of things a Guard member can accomplish. He said the new Miss Utah will serve as a role model for young women who might not otherwise consider joining the Guard.

"She has a legitimate shot at winning Miss America," McIntire said. "Just because of the kind of person she is."

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E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com