George T. Garrett

George Thomas Garrett (born 23 February 1944) is a retired career United States Army officer. A longtime member of the New Jersey Army National Guard, he attained the rank of major general as commander of the 42nd Infantry Division, which he led from 1999 to 2002.

Garrett was born in Washington, DC, and raised and educated on military bases as his family traveled for his father's career in the United States Navy. He graduated from Chula Vista High School in 1962 and West Virginia University in 1966.

While in college, Garrett took part in the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps, and he received his second lieutenant's commission in the Field Artillery. He served in the regular army until 1970, including command of a battery during the Korean DMZ Conflict in 1968 and 1969. After completing his regular army service, Garrett joined the United States Army Reserve, and he soon afterwards transferred his military membership to the New Jersey National Guard. Garrett pursued a civilian career as a training specialist with CIBA (later known as Novartis) and received his Master of Business Administration degree from Monmouth College in 1976.

Garrett advanced through the ranks of the National Guard and Army Reserve in staff and command assignments, and his command positions between 1971 and 1992 included an armor company, two infantry battalions, and two armor brigades. In October 1996, he was assigned as assistant division commander of the 42nd Infantry Division, and he was promoted to brigadier general in 1997. In October 1999, he was appointed as the division commander, and he was promoted to major general in October 2000. Garrett commanded the 42nd Division until retiring from the military in September 2002. After his military retirement, Garrett served as Director of Homeland Security for the State of New Jersey's Division of Military and Veteran's Affairs.

Early life George Thomas Garrett (Known as G. Thomas, Thomas, or Tom) was born in Washington, D.C. on 23 February 1944, a son of Hartzell Garrett and Frances (Guyot) Garrett. Garrett's father served in the United States Navy and Garrett was raised and educated on several naval bases. He graduated from Chula Vista, California's Chula Vista High School in 1962. After high school, he attended West Virginia University (WVU), from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry in 1966. Garrett took part in the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at WVU, which he completed as a distinguished graduate.

After college, Garrett received his commission as a second lieutenant of Field Artillery. They were the parents of a daughter, Tamela "Tammy" Garrett.

Start of career From July 1967 to January 1968, Garrett was assigned as assistant executive officer of Battery D, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Sill. He served as the brigade's assistant S-3 from May to October 1976, when he was appointed as assistant inspector general at the 50th Armored Division headquarters. In addition, he was involved in local government as a member of the Freehold, New Jersey school board.

Awards Among Garrett's awards were:

Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters Army Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with 7 oak leaf clusters National Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze service star Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal with gold hour glass device Army Service Ribbon Overseas Service Ribbon

Dates of rank Garrett's dates of rank were:

Major General, 6 October 2000 Brigadier General, 27 March 1997 Colonel, 1 April 1989 Lieutenant Colonel, 10 September 1981 Major, 6 April 1977 Captain, 28 January 1969 First Lieutenant, 28 January 1968 Second Lieutenant, 29 July 1966