James A. Adkins

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 Secretary of the Maryland Department 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 Institute (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 College, 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 Merit
 * Meritorious Service Medal (United States) (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 Medal (with one Bronze Service Star)
 * Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Bronze Hourglass Device)
 * Army Service Ribbon
 * State of Maryland Distinguished Service Cross (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
 * State of Maryland Meritorious Service Medal
 * State of Maryland Commendation Medal
 * Maryland National Guard Recruiting Medal
 * Maryland National Guard State Service Medal (with two Bronze Botonees)
 * Virginia National Guard Bronze Star Medal

Other Achievements

 * Order of the White Cross-Republic of Estonia