Giselle Wilz was recently promoted from colonel to the first-ever female brigadier general in the Army National Guard in a ceremony in Bismarck, North Dakota. She attributes the majority of her success to the love and support of her family.
A family of dedicated servicemembers
Wilz became a captain of the National Guard in 1993. She followed in her father's footsteps, who was a colonel in the Guard for 38 years. He retired after being diagnosed with cancer. In 2008, he promoted Wilz to colonel and passed away soon after. He always told her that she would be the Guard's first female general.
"He just somehow knew. I think early on, I wasn't sure. I just loved the Guard and loved serving and wearing the uniform," she told the Grand Forks Herald. "It wasn't until probably the last 10 or 12 years that I really aspired to be a general."
Although she is thrilled to be promoted, she regrets that her father was not there to see the ceremony. Her new role marks the start of her 32nd year in the Guard, having enlisted in the 191st Military Police Company as a student in high school. Three years after her enlistment, she became a second lieutenant and has since held various roles within the Guard.
Wilz and her father are not the only family members who have dedicated their lives to military service. Her younger brother, Greg Wilz, is also a retired colonel who served for 29 years as a battalion commander and director of operations. The Grand Forks Herald noted that he was also appointed as North Dakota's director of the Homeland Security Division in 2006. Wilz's older brother, Gary Wilz, also retired as a Guard major.
"I can tell you the family is extremely proud of her accomplishments," Greg told the news source. "Her getting promoted is kind of a pinnacle to all she's done in her military career."
32 years of commitment and service
Wilz was a member of the 132nd Quartermaster Company during the Gulf War from 1990 to 1991 as one of the two water operations officers. She decided to volunteer for the tour at only 23 years old after graduating from Officer Candidate School. Maj. Gen. Alexander P. Macdonald, the adjutant general of North Dakota at the time, had encouraged her to participate in the tour.
Greg mentioned that MacDonald recently reached out to the Wilz family out of respect and gratitude for everything they have done for the country.
According to NewsOK, after her promotion, Wilz will embark on a one-year tour to Bosnia where she will focus on defense reform in collaboration with local officials. She will also be responsible for commanding the NATO forces operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Wilz explained that she is excited to serve as an example for all of the women servicemembers in the National Guard.