Brigadier General Maria L. Britt has been promoted to the rank of Major General. Britt is currently the Assistant Adjutant General of Georgia and Commanding General of the Georgia Army National Guard. Britt, a Conyers resident, is the first female promoted to the rank of Major General in Georgia National Guard history.

"Maria has led our National Guard citizen-soldiers during one of the most active periods in our state's history," Governor Perdue said. "Georgians have always strongly supported our military, and Maria embodies that spirit of service and sacrifice that all our soldiers exhibit every single day."

As Commanding General, Britt is responsible for manning, training and equipping the 11,200 soldiers of the Georgia Army National Guard.

An official military ceremony recognizing her promotion will be conducted on November 7.

Britt is a native of Gloversville, New York and was commissioned from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York a Second Lieutenant in May 1983. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in General Engineering and a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Intelligence from the Joint Military Intelligence College, Defense Intelligence Agency, Bolling AFB, Washington D.C. Brigadier General Britt is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA., and has a second Master's Degree in Strategic Studies.

Her military education includes the Military Police Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the U.S. Army Jungle Warfare School, the Command and General Staff College, the Post Graduate Intelligence Program for Reserves, the Military Intelligence Officer Transition Course, the Military Intelligence Advanced Course for Reserves, the Military Intelligence Battalion Pre-Command Course, the Recruiting and Retention Management Course, the Joint Task Force Commander's Course and the Defense Support to Civil Authorities Course.

Among Major General Britt's awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters and the National Defense Service Medal.

Major General Britt has three daughters; Ava, Chelsea and Joyce.