The Georgia National Guard pinned its newest general recently 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.

“We have a greater depth of leadership in the Georgia National Guard than any other organization that I know of,” said Lt. 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 Fort Gillem.

“We're not here to promote a female to general,” said Maj. 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 team building.

“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.”

Brig. Gen. Britt is scheduled to take command of the 10,500-member Georgia Army National Guard at ceremonies on Dec. 1.

Georgia’s 118th Field Artillery Battalion, with units located in Savannah, Springfield and Brunswick, will be among more than 100 Georgia Army National Guard units under the command of Brig. Gen. Britt.