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Maj. Wesley Albritton '11 came to North Georgia College & State University, now the University of North Georgia (ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ), with plans to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

"Nursing school is difficult, which it should be," he said. "Nursing school is challenging, but to produce great nurses, it must be rigorous. In the role of a nurse, one must have an awareness of the significance of being able to provide care and compassion. We get to be a part of an individual's life at an extremely vulnerable time in their lives. Patients need someone that worked hard to ensure they achieved the goal of becoming a registered nurse." 

One former ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ cadet — now lifelong friend — Albritton met was Lt. Col. Shahin Uddin '08.  Albritton's leadership skills have been immeasurable since his time in the Corps of Cadets, Uddin said.

"Exceptional doesn't even begin to describe his leadership as a cadet. He had this incredible combination of real-world experience and an unflappable demeanor that commanded respect from everyone. You could just tell he was destined for great things," Uddin added.

Maj. Erika Jazmin Duarte also known Albritton since he started at ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ.

They met in 2006 when he took the entrance exam to ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ's nursing program and became lifelong friends, often being sent to the same duty locations after graduating. She describes Albritton as kind and respectful with an amazing sense of humor, and he is willing to coach others and build them up.

"He has his priorities straight: God, family, country," she said. “Whenever he needs to make a decision, he prioritizes everything in that order. What is best for him as a believer, then for his family and others and ultimately his country, specifically how it will reflect on the Army. He's consistent, year after year.”

Duarte believes that a shared thought process is something cadets learn at ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ as she sees the same values in other alumni at gatherings, including the annual event in Hawaii.

"A lot of us are the same," she said. "The same sense of purpose and leadership."

After achieving his undergrad goals, Albritton headed to his first assignment, Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, which he described as an "amazing opportunity" to learn how to apply his knowledge as a nurse, caring for a diverse population.  

In 2021, he returned to Tripler Army Medical Center, but this time as a nurse manager.

"Serving as the nurse manager for a medical surgical oncology ward and then transitioning to a surgical ward were amazing opportunities to mentor junior nurses and manage civilians," he said. "I had the privilege of being a part of a committee that worked on the hospital achieving the Pathway to Excellence designation, which is an exceptional achievement for the organization."

These days, Albritton's primary role as a talent and career manager at the Army's Human Resources Command is to provide professional development, career counseling and assignment planning for more than 600 Army Nurse Corps officers. In addition to the nurse anesthetists and perioperative nurses, he has also taken on the role of managing senior-level medical-surgical nurses. He has held this position since April 2025.

"We are a team of 10 that manages over 3,200 Nurse Corps officers," Lt. Col. Nicole Lawrence, deputy chief of the Army Nurse Corps, said.

Albritton said this role has been one of the most rewarding experiences he’s had in his 19-year career.

"I am at the helm of assisting soldiers with their career plans, mentoring them on their career paths, assisting them with any issues they may have, and so much more. In this current role, I feel a sense of accomplishment when I can assist an officer with an issue and the outcome works in their favor. This happens quite often in this position," he said. "With managing over 500 officers, you can imagine there are many career plans, career paths, families, hopes, and goals to manage. I feel that this role is in line with my purpose on Earth. I am fortunate enough to serve these officers and provide as much empathy, guidance and motivation as I am capable."

Col. LaKisha Wright, command nurse of Army Cadet Command, has known Albritton seven years, serving as his chief nurse and subsequently mentor.

"When I observe him leading, I see he's trying to find ways to adjust to every level, ensuring everybody is included and understands what the mission is, or what is going on in the command. He wants everybody to be a part of the mission and be a part of the command," Wright said.

Although Albritton "treats the command as a family," Wright said that when there needs to be discipline, Albritton doesn't have difficulty transitioning to that, and it is done in "a loving manner because he still wants people to do right. He always believes in people, and he's there to help them get back on track if they're willing to help themselves."

Wright describes Albritton as a very strong, conscientious leader who relies on his faith as he leads.

"There's no question about Wesley and his relationship with God, but it's not pushed on a person. It's his foundation and that's what he follows," she said. "Everybody knows that, and everybody has respect for that foundation, too."

Albritton's ability to work with anybody has impressed Wright.

"I think that's a big thing. It's hard to work with everybody when you have so many personalities in the world, but that's not a hard thing for Wesley," she said.

With over 200 possible career choices in military assignments, the Valdosta, Georgia, native knew nursing and ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ were the way to achieve his goals.

"Anyone who knows me or has known me for a significant amount of time has heard about my grateful attitude when it comes to ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ. I entered ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ at the age of 23 and had already served on active duty," he said. "ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ reinforced my leadership ability and provided me with a scope of qualities that are becoming of an officer. The dedication of the cadets to one another and to every task that comes to the Corps strengthened within me a strong sense of camaraderie that I will carry with me for the rest of my life."

Albritton enlisted in the Army in 2000 as a nutrition care specialist. He served five years active duty and one year in the Army Reserve, attaining the rank of sergeant. He graduated from ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ and was commissioned into the Army Nurse Corps in 2011.

In addition to obtaining a BSN from ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ, Albritton has earned a Master of Military Art and Science from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

His military awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon Roman Numeral 4, Combat Action Badge, and Air Assault Badge.

He and his wife, Victoria Albritton, a six-year Army veteran, have six children ages 16 (Naiema), 14 (Nyla), 12 (Nai’Lani), 10 (Nyomi), 10 (Naya), and 8 (Wesley).