The 3-minute interview: Brig. Gen. Allyson Solomon

The 47-year-old Bowie resident was recently promoted to brigadier general, making her the first black and first woman to achieve that rank.

Now as commander of the Warfield Air National Guard Base in Middle River, where she oversees 1,500 soldiers, Solomon — a native of Trinidad and Tobago who is armed with a bachelor’s degree from Loyola College in Maryland and a master’s degree from Auburn University — says she hit the ground running and knows it will be a while before she catches her breath.

What are your thoughts on becoming a brigadier general?

I’m very honored. I never dreamed of getting to this point. I thought I’d make major then retire and do something else. This promotion, however, is a visible sign for those who look like me, that if I can do this, they can too.

What’s your trek in the Guard been like?

I was enlisted for seven years before my commission and did Equal Employment for a while. Then I became a personnel officer and a commander of mission support flight prior to moving to headquarters to become an executive support staff officer. Afterward, I went back to the wing to be a mission support group commander.

What are some immediate challenges of your new position?

For beginners, they center on maintaining a flying mission so that we’re able to support our state mission. And certainly, recruiting is always a challenge.

How do you view the Guard in the long run?

 I look at it from a strategic prospective [like] ... what kind of equipment we’ll have and what kind of missions we’ll be involved in and if we’re properly resourced to achieve them.

How has life changed since your promotion?

I was a very private person before. Now there’s lots of attention, and while I’m not one necessarily to be in the limelight, I recognize that by virtue of my position that I am. – Dorothy Rowley