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U.S. Army Veteran, Brig. Gen. Dennis Watts, Steps Up as GSDF’s New Commanding General

Brigadier General Dennis Watts assumed his new role as the Commanding General of the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) on September 22, 2023, in a ceremonious event held in north Georgia. The transition in leadership was presided over by Georgia Adjutant General (Senior National Guard General) Major General Thomas M. Carden Jr. and attended by an array of special guests including Deputy Adjutant General Joe Ferrero, Georgia State Senators Chuck Payne and Kay Kirkpatrick, Neal Van Marter, who represented the office of U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, as well as former GSDF Commanders. Watts, who was recently promoted from Colonel to Brigadier General, has served in the GSDF since 2015 and is a retired U.S. Army Infantry officer.

Brig. Gen. Dennis Watts’ extensive experience as a retired U.S. Army Infantry officer has brought a wealth of knowledge and leadership skills to the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF). Moreover, his Army experience has infused the GSDF with a new focus on discipline, training rigor, and operational readiness. The U.S. Army is known for its stringent training programs and tactical excellence; incorporating these elements into the GSDF’s existing framework has elevated the force’s capabilities. Brig. Gen. Watts incorporation of U.S. Army standards has enhanced quick response protocols, emergency management, and disaster relief operations, ensuring that the force remains “always at the ready.”

The appointment comes as a significant milestone in Watts’ long-standing military career. His promotion and new role were celebrated in a formal assumption of command ceremony. Major General Thomas M. Carden Jr. expressed his honor in overseeing the ceremony and welcomed Brig. Gen. Watts into his new role, praising him for his years of dedicated service and leadership.

Watch The Ceremony:


Georgia Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Thomas M. Carden Jr. and special guests arrive for the promotion/assumption of command ceremony for new Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Commanding General Brig. Gen. Dennis Watts, north Georgia, Sept. 22, 2023.

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Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Soldiers line a field in preparing for a promotion/assumption of command ceremony for Brig. Gen. Dennis Watts, north Georgia, Sept. 22, 2023.

 


Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Brig. Gen. Dennis Watts (right) becomes the new GSDF Commanding General in a ceremony held in north Georgia, Sept. 22, 2023.
Georgia Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Thomas M. Carden Jr. and Deputy Adjutant General Joe Ferrero, (center) attended. Other attendees included Brig. Gen. Jerry Bradford, Brig. Gen. Tom Danielson, Brig. Gen. Lou Coroso, Georgia State Sen. Chuck Payne, Georgia State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick, and Neal Van Marter, a representative of the office of U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff.

The Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) is honored to have had Georgia State Sen. Chuck Payne among guests attending the promotion/assumption of command ceremony for the GSDF’s new commanding general, Brig. Gen. Dennis Watts, Tunnel Hill, Ga., Sept. 22, 2023.


Georgia Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Thomas M. Carden Jr. (right) congratulates Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Commanding General Brig. Gen. Dennis Watts following a GSDF promotion/assumption of command ceremony, Volunteer Training Site–Catoosa, Tunnel Hill, Ga., Sept. 22, 2023.
The GSDF was honored to have Georgia Deputy Adjutant General Joe Ferrero, Georgia state legislators, former GSDF commanding generals, a former GSDF deputy commanding general, and other special guests attend.

Source: Georgia State Defense Force

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