From Private First Class to Brigadier General, Bolden Retires after 37 Years

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Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz, Commanding General, District of Columbia National Guard presents Brig. Gen. Barbarannete T. Bolden the Legion of Merit with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters at the D.C. Armory

WASHINGTON, DC (01/27/2012)(readMedia)-- Brig. Gen. Barbaranette T. Bolden celebrated her retirement from the DC National Guard with friends, family and colleagues Jan. 20 at the DC National Guard Armory. The celebration highlighted her 37-year career with a slideshow, awards presentation, and personal touches, including a bouquet of red roses from her husband.

Bolden's military career began when she joined the Army as a private first class while attending Arkansas State University in 1974. Her parents didn't find out until after she enlisted.

"When I joined the military my parents were not very happy," laughed Bolden. "They had a big push for women in the military, and I said okay."

Bolden was not looking to become an officer when she joined as a private, but she recalled her decision to become an officer after coming to the D.C. National Guard.

"I had no clue about being an officer," she said. "When I came to D.C., the battalion commander I was assigned to came to me one day saying the sergeant major is going to come get me at 1300 and there was a class I needed to go to. That's how I first learned about being an officer.

After that, she attended Officer Candidate School, and the rest is history. She served in the D.C. Guard her entire career, except for two months while in Arkansas. She retired to allow others behind her an opportunity for advancement.

"You can stay too long at one place," she said, "and other people lose their opportunity to get promoted. There is a lot of talent behind me."

Bolden reflects fondly on her career over the years, and when asked if she would choose the DC Guard again, she said she would never choose anywhere else. She mentioned the opportunity the D.C. Guard has every four years to be part of the Presidential Inauguration and other events that make history.

As the first female DC Guard brigadier general, Bolden leaves some simple advice to other females looking to further their career.

"Always do your best, no matter what you do," she said. "There are opportunities, and if that's what you're looking for, then as long as you do your best, you're going to be accepted and you're going to do well in the military or anywhere else."