Maryland Defense Force’s Outgoing Commander Promoted to Major General

By CPT(MD) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
2 August 2011

On August 2, 2011 Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Courtney B. Wilson, the outgoing commander of the Maryland Defense Force was promoted to Major General in a surprise announcement from Maj. Gen. James A. Adkins, the adjutant general of Maryland. Maj. Gen. (MDDF) Wilson’s promotion occurred during the change of command ceremony that brought in Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm as the new commanding general of the Maryland Defense Force.

Maj. Gen. (MDDF) Wilson was recognized by Maj. Gen. Adkins for his distinguished military career and for his many contributions to the State of Maryland. Maj. Gen. (MDDF) Wilson’s military career began with service in the U.S. Army, doing a tour of duty in Vietnam in 1971. Assigned to an infantry reconnaissance platoon, he was heavily engaged in the border regions in and around the Da Nang Vital Area and the Quang Nam region. Maj. Gen. (MDDF) Wilson was wounded in action and returned to the United States, recovering at Letterman Hospital in San Francisco before traveling back to Maryland.

After serving in various capacities, Maj. Gen. (MDDF) Wilson served as the commanding general of the Maryland Defense Force for five years before relinquishing command. Although Maj. Gen. (MDDF) Wilson stepped down from his position as commanding general, he will continue to serve as an advisor to the adjutant general of Maryland.

The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the State’s uniformed volunteer military unit providing professional and technical assistance to the Maryland Military Department. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 450 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland. For more information: http://mddf.maryland.gov.