Maria Lodi Barrett is a United States Army lieutenant general who serves as the Commanding General of the United States Army Cyber Command since May 3, 2022.[1][2][3] She most recently served as Commanding General of the Network Enterprise Technology Command in Fort Huachuca, Arizona.[4][5] She is the elder sister of Major General Paula Lodi. Barrett and Lodi are the United States Army's first ever sister General Officer tandem.[4]

Maria Barrett
Official portrait, 2022
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1988–present
RankLieutenant General
CommandsUnited States Army Cyber Command
Army Network Enterprise Technology Command
160th Signal Brigade
Battles / warsGulf War
War in Afghanistan
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (3)
Bronze Star Medal
RelationsMajor General Paula Lodi (sister)

Early life

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Barrett grew up in Franklin, Massachusetts, outside of Boston.[6] She is the daughter of Ruston Lodi, an Italian immigrant, World War II veteran, Silver Star recipient, and school teacher; and Clara Lodi, an educator.[7]

Barrett graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. She also earned a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (Eisenhower School), and a Master of Arts in Telecommunications Management from Webster University.[8]

Military career

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Barrett received a commission in the United States Army as a second lieutenant through the Army ROTC program in 1988.[8] She has command experience at the company, battalion, and brigade level. Barrett served as deputy director of Current Operations, J-3, United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM), Deputy Commanding General for the Joint Force Headquarters—Cyber (JFHQ-C) with United States Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER), and Deputy Commander (Operations) for Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF), USCYBERCOM. She also served as Commander, 160th Signal Brigade, Third United States Army, Chief Information Officer/Director, J-6 with United States Southern Command at Doral, Florida and Director, J-3 with White House Communications Agency.[8] She has served in army assignments in the United States, Kuwait, the Republic of Korea, Germany, and Saudi Arabia. She is a veteran of Operation New Dawn, Enduring Freedom and Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.[8] Barrett was promoted to brigadier general on December 2, 2015, and to major general on August 2, 2018.[5]

Personal life

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Barrett is married to retired Lieutenant Colonel Brian T. Barrett, a former Signal Corps Officer.[8][9] She has four siblings. Her younger sister, Paula Lodi, is a United States Army major general.[4]

Awards and commendations

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References

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  1. ^ "PN1458 — Maj. Gen. Maria B. Barrett — Army". U.S. Congress. December 6, 2021.
  2. ^ "Biden expected to nominate first woman as Army Cyber chief". December 1, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  3. ^ Van Fleet, Gordon (April 19, 2022). "NETCOM Leadership Changes Hands". U.S. Army. Fort Huachuca, Arizona: NETCOM Public Affairs Office. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "2 sisters make Army history as first pair to attain general rank". ABC News. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Lieutenant General Maria B. Barrett - General Officer Management Office". www.gomo.army.mil. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  6. ^ "| Army Medicine". armymedicine.health.mil. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  7. ^ "An Army first: Two sisters attain general's rank". USA TODAY. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o NETCOM. Commanding General, NETCOM – Major General Maria B. Barrett.” https://netcom.army.mil/bios/MGBarrett.aspx
  9. ^ ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY. “MAJOR GENERAL MARIA B. BARRETT.” https://www.ausa.org/people/major-general-maria-b-barrett
  10. ^ "Lt. Gen. Maria B. Barrett".
Military offices
Preceded by Commanding General of the Army Network Enterprise Technology Command
2018–2022
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commanding General of the United States Army Cyber Command
2022–present
Incumbent