WASHINGTON -- Jessica Gaulke has traded in her beauty qieen tiara for a kevlar helmet and will soon be on her way to Iraq in order to satisfy her commitment to the Minnesota National Guard.

Gaulke, from the suburban Twin Cities area, told The Associated Press, "I know it’s the right decision ... it’s been an emotional ride, a long one."

The 22-year-old Augsburg College sociology major and and 2007 Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes will be deploying as Spc. Jessica Gaulke with the 2nd Battalion, 147th Assault Helicopter Battalion, the U.S. military said. The unit is scheduled to start training at Fort Hood, Texas, this spring in advance of a yearlong tour in Iraq.

"Six months as queen was better than nothing," she said. A former Miss Robbinsdale, Gaulke committed to the Guard before graduating from high school.

"I'm prepared," she said.

Aquatennial President Jim Erickson said it was the first time an Aquatennial queen has been in the military, much less called to active duty. He supuervised the passing of the tiara to another competitor, Jenna Bernhardson.

During the six months as Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes, she juggled her National Guard drill duties and schoolwork with her public appearances, she said.

"I do it pretty well, actually. I've had to do a couple of changes in my car going from drill to parades," Gaulke said. "I think maybe this is changing the whole outlook on the pageant system and scholarship programs because it's not all about the glitz and glam.

"It's really about the person you are," she said. "Sometimes I don't look the best, but people understand."

Gaulke carries a 3.3 grade point average and volunteers as a coach for her high school lacrosse team in the spring. She also works with the Minneapolis-based Open Arms, an organization that makes and delivers meals for residents with HIV/AIDS.