Photo: Delores Corsini (l), mother of Brigadier General Britt, and husband Col. Tim Britt, pin stars on the Army Guard's newest General, Maria L. Britt. General Britt's father Anthony Corsini and Maj. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, Georgia's incoming Adjutant General, look on.

November 4, 2007 -- The Georgia National Guard pinned its newest general officer on Sunday when Maria L. Britt was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. She has been appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue as the new commander of the Georgia Army National Guard, and will take over that role on Dec. 1.

With her promotion, Brig. Gen. Britt became the first female general in the Georgia Guard’s 273 year history.

“Her talents have helped the Georgia Guard position itself as a leader among the other states,” said Gov. Perdue who attended the ceremony. “She led the charge to turn around the Guard’s recruiting and retention and now Georgia is model for other states. I’m proud to have her on my team in Georgia”.

Gen. Britt was pinned to her new rank by her husband, Col. Tim Britt and Maj. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, Georgia’s incoming Adjutant General. Her parents Dolores and Anthony Corsini, along with daughters Ava, Chelsea and Joyce, also took part in the ceremony.

In addition to her general’s stars, Gen. Britt also received the Legion of Merit for her service as Chief of Staff of the Georgia Army Guard. The award was presented by Lt. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia’s outgoing Adjutant General present

“We have a greater depth of leadership in the Georgia National Guard than any other organization that I know of,” said Gen. Poythress. “And Maria Britt is a great example of that leadership.”

A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Gen. Britt holds master’s degrees from the U.S. Army War College and the Joint Military College in strategic intelligence and strategic studies. She’s held a number of leadership and staff positions in the Georgia National Guard, including commander of the 221st Military Intelligence Battalion at Ft. Gillem.

“We’re not here to promote a female to general,” said Gen. Nesbitt as he addressed the crowd of family, friends and coworkers. “We’re here to promote a fine Soldier who has earned the rank.”

After the ceremony, Gen. Britt told reporters that being a woman and a working mother has prepared her for command and given her a style of leadership that emphasizes good listening and teambuilding.

“I don’t thrive on confrontation or ego,” she told reporters. “But I don’t feel intimidated, and I stand my ground when I feel I’m right.”

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Britt earns first star; slated to become Army Guard commander