Major General Dwayne Wilson was appointed by Governor Kemp in May of 2024 as the 44th Adjutant General of the Georgia Department of Defense. He is responsible for directing, coordinating, organizing and stationing the Army and Air National Guards of the State of Georgia, the Georgia State Defense Force, and federal and state civilians, ensuring their readiness to perform state and national missions.
Major General Richard “Dwayne” Wilson assumed the duties of the Commanding General for the Georgia Army National Guard on 9 October 2020. Additionally, he was recently selected to serve in a “Dual Hat” position as the Deputy Commanding General-Mobilization, Fort Stewart, GA.
A native of Murphy, North Carolina, Major General Wilson enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1987 as a Combat Engineer. In 1993, after serving in both the Army Reserve and the North Carolina Army National Guard, he received a Regular Army commission from North Georgia College as an Aviation Second Lieutenant.
Major General Wilson has commanded at the company through brigade level in both the Active and Reserve Components of the Army. His previous staff assignments include Director of the Joint Staff for the Georgia National Guard, as well as Chief of Staff, Director of Aviation and Safety, and the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics for the Georgia Army National Guard.
His deployment experience includes participation in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia and Iraq (1990-1991), as well as supporting contingency operations in Albania (1999) and during Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo (2001). His most recent overseas deployment was in support of Operation New Dawn in Iraq (2010-2011).
Major General Wilson’s education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from North Georgia College. He later earned a Master of Arts degree from Webster University in Management and Leadership, as well as a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the United States Army War College.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, as well as the Army and Air Force Commendation Medals. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Army’s Airborne School, Air Assault Course and is a Master Army Aviator, rated in both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.