James A. Adkins
Encyclopedia
Major General James A. Adkins was appointed as the 28th adjutant general of Maryland effective June 1, 2008. The adjutant general is responsible for the daily operations of the Maryland Military Department which includes the Maryland Army National Guard, Maryland Air National Guard, Maryland Emergency Management Agency and Maryland Defense Force. He is the senior advisor to the governor for those state agencies and is responsible for the readiness, administration and training of more than 7,200 members of the Maryland Military Department. As the adjutant general, he serves as the official channel of communication between the governor and the National Guard Bureau and serves as a member of the governor’s cabinet.
General Adkins was born in Cambridge and grew up in Dorchester County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Prior to entering the U.S. Army, he served two years with the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office.
His military career spans more than 30 years of service in both the enlisted and officer ranks. He has served at nearly every level of command and in various staff assignments. He is a graduate of the Defense Language Institute
’s Russian Language Program in Monterey, California and served in intelligence, infantry and cavalry assignments in the United States and abroad. His military assignments also include director of military support to civil authorities, counter-drug taskforce commander and coordinator of emergency management operations. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, he assisted the Republic of Estonia in its transition to democracy.
General Adkins’ military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Maryland Distinguished Service Cross and the Order of the White Cross from the Republic of Estonia.
General Adkins served in the Maryland Military Department as chief of staff and assistant adjutant general for state operations. He also served as director of the Cemetery and Memorial Programs and as the deputy secretary of Veterans Affairs. In May 2007, Governor Martin O’Malley appointed General Adkins to his cabinet as the secretary of Veterans Affairs. He served as the state’s key advisor for veteran issues until September 2009. For more than a year and a half, General Adkins simultaneously held two cabinet-level positions in the O’Malley administration and he continues to serve as the adjutant general.
General Adkins was born in Cambridge and grew up in Dorchester County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Prior to entering the U.S. Army, he served two years with the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office.
His military career spans more than 30 years of service in both the enlisted and officer ranks. He has served at nearly every level of command and in various staff assignments. He is a graduate of the Defense Language Institute
Defense Language Institute
The Defense Language Institute is a United States Department of Defense educational and research institution, which provides linguistic and cultural instruction to the Department of Defense, other Federal Agencies and numerous and varied other customers...
’s Russian Language Program in Monterey, California and served in intelligence, infantry and cavalry assignments in the United States and abroad. His military assignments also include director of military support to civil authorities, counter-drug taskforce commander and coordinator of emergency management operations. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, he assisted the Republic of Estonia in its transition to democracy.
General Adkins’ military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Maryland Distinguished Service Cross and the Order of the White Cross from the Republic of Estonia.
General Adkins served in the Maryland Military Department as chief of staff and assistant adjutant general for state operations. He also served as director of the Cemetery and Memorial Programs and as the deputy secretary of Veterans Affairs. In May 2007, Governor Martin O’Malley appointed General Adkins to his cabinet as the secretary of Veterans Affairs. He served as the state’s key advisor for veteran issues until September 2009. For more than a year and a half, General Adkins simultaneously held two cabinet-level positions in the O’Malley administration and he continues to serve as the adjutant general.
Education
- 1976 Defense Language InstituteDefense Language InstituteThe Defense Language Institute is a United States Department of Defense educational and research institution, which provides linguistic and cultural instruction to the Department of Defense, other Federal Agencies and numerous and varied other customers...
(Russian Program), Monterey, California - 1984 University of New York, Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, Albany, New York
- 1987 US Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
- 1991 Washington CollegeWashington CollegeWashington College is a private, independent liberal arts college located on a campus in Chestertown, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore. Maryland granted Washington College its charter in 1782...
, Master of Arts, History, Chestertown, Maryland - 1996 United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania
Assignments
- 1975–1976, Student, Defense Language Institute, Monterey, California
- 1976–1978, Sergeant, 522nd Combat Electronic Warfare Intelligence Battalion, 2nd Armored Division, Fort Hood, Texas
- July 1979 – January 1981, Rifle Platoon Leader, Company C, 2nd Battalion 175th Infantry, Queen Anne, Maryland
- January 1981 – April 1982, Plans and Operations Officer, Combined Arms Center, Headquarters, Maryland Army National Guard, Pikesville, Maryland, attached to 136th Combat Support Hospital, Parkville, Maryland
- April 1982 – April 1984, S-3 Air, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion 175th Infantry, Baltimore, Maryland
- April 1984 – April 1987, Assistant S-3, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron 158th Cavalry (Recon) Annapolis, Maryland
- April 1987 – May 1990, S-3, Headquarters, 1st Squadron 158th Cavalry (Recon) Annapolis, Maryland
- May 1990 – March 1992, Recruiting and Induction Officer, Headquarters, State Area Command, Maryland Army National Guard, Baltimore, Maryland
- April 1992 – March 1993, Commander, Headquarters, 629th Military Intelligence Battalion, Greenbelt, Maryland
- March 1993 – January 1994, Counter Narcotics Officer, Headquarters, State Area Command, Maryland Army National Guard, Baltimore, Maryland
- February 1994 – August 1995, Recruiting and Retention Manager, Headquarters, State Area Command, Maryland Army National Guard, Baltimore, Maryland
- August 1995 – August 1996, Director Military Support, Headquarters, State Area Command, Maryland Army National Guard, Baltimore, Maryland
- September 1996 – July 1997, Provost Marshal, Headquarters, State Area Command, Maryland Army National Guard, Baltimore, Maryland
- August 1997 – June 2008, Retired Reserve, Human Resources Command, St. Louis, Missouri
- June 2008 – present, The Adjutant General, Joint Force Headquarters, Maryland National Guard, Baltimore, Maryland
Major Awards and Decorations
- Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
- Meritorious Service Medal (United States)Meritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
(with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster) - Army Commendation Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
- Army Achievement Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
- National Defense Service MedalNational Defense Service MedalThe National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
(with one Bronze Service Star) - Armed Forces Reserve MedalArmed Forces Reserve MedalThe Armed Forces Reserve Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that has existed since 1950. The medal recognizes service performed by the Reserve and National Guard forces of the United States of America....
(with Bronze Hourglass Device) - Army Service RibbonArmy Service RibbonThe Army Service Ribbon is a military decoration of the United States Army that was established by the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981 as announced in Department of the Army General Order 15, dated 10 October 1990....
- State of Maryland Distinguished Service CrossState of Maryland Distinguished Service CrossThe State of Maryland Distinguished Service Cross may be awarded to any active or former member of the Maryland National Guard, any member of the active or retired military services who, while serving in any capacity and any branch of said service, shall have distinguished themselves in an act of...
(with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster) - State of Maryland Meritorious Service MedalState of Maryland Meritorious Service MedalThe State of Maryland Meritorious Service Medal may be awarded to any active or former member of the Maryland National Guard, any member of the active or retired military service who, while serving in any capacity and any branch of said service, shall have distinguished themselves in performance of...
- State of Maryland Commendation MedalState of Maryland Commendation MedalThe State of Maryland Commendation Medal may be awarded to any active or former member of the Maryland National Guard, any member of the active or retired military service who shall have distinguished themselves by meritorious and outstanding service to the Maryland National Guard and the State of...
- Maryland National Guard Recruiting MedalMaryland National Guard Recruiting MedalThe Maryland National Guard Recruiting Medal is an award presented to members of the Maryland Army National Guard for recruiting or retention of personnel.-Description:...
- Maryland National Guard State Service MedalMaryland National Guard State Service MedalThe Maryland National Guard State Service Medal is presented to members of the Maryland National Guard to promote efficiency and as a reward for five years of continuous state service. Commanders may forward request for the issuance of the state award at any time a member completes the service...
(with two Bronze Botonees) - Virginia National Guard Bronze Star MedalAwards and decorations of the National GuardAwards and decorations of the National Guard are presented to members of the United States National Guard and sometimes to members of the State Defense Forces in addition to regular United States military decorations...
Other Achievements
External links
- This article incorporates public domain material from the State of Maryland document "http://www.md.ngb.army.mil/XHTML/Organization/Bios/TAGBio.html