Retired, was in attendance for the memorable day with the Honorable William J. Walker. (Photographs courtesy Maryland Nationwide Guard Public Affairs)
By Colonel (Ret.) Edna W. Cummings, U.S. Military, Particular to the AFRO
Governor Wes Moore’s collection of Main Normal Janeen Birckhead as his prime navy advisor makes her the one Black lady in the USA at present within the function of a Nationwide Guard Adjutant Normal.
Birckhead’s new job has two missions that include each federal and state roles.
For state missions, Moore, by way of Maryland’s Adjutant Normal, instructions the drive. When wanted, Moore can name the Nationwide Guard for obligation throughout native or statewide emergencies, comparable to storms, fires, earthquakes or civil disturbances. For nationwide missions, and when requested by the President, the Nationwide Guard offers skilled models to defend the USA and the nation’s pursuits world wide.
Birckhead spoke on how being a member of the Nationwide Guard has impacted her life in a press launch despatched to the AFRO.
“The Maryland Military Nationwide Guard challenged me mentally, bodily, and spiritually in a method that no different pursuit did,” stated Birckhead. “It’s a dedication to push past what you suppose is feasible and transcend the boundaries of oneself.”
Except for her navy obligation, Birckhead additionally works a full-time job as a civilian on the Division of the Inside. Nonetheless, service stays a ardour.
“Every time I placed on my uniform, I keep in mind the sacrifices of people who got here earlier than me, and I do know there shall be others who will climb larger due to my work,” stated Birckhead within the media launch. “I received’t know their names, they usually could not know mine, however collectively we’ll change the world.”
In his remarks, Moore referred to his choice as a “highly effective day for the state.”
Whether or not by probability or alternative, Moore’s actions spotlight the seventy fifth anniversaries of President Harry S. Truman’s landmark and controversial selections. On June 12,1948 the Ladies’s Armed Providers Integration Act was signed to permit girls to function common members of the Armed Forces. A month later, on July 26, 1948 Truman signed Govt Order 9981 desegregated the Armed Forces.
Greater than seven many years later, Truman’s actions and the work of numerous Black troopers have cleared a path for Birkhead.
Governor Moore calls for the perfect at his aspect to advise him throughout a time of disaster– and the perfect for Moore and Maryland’s roughly six million residents is Birckhead.
As Maryland’s new Adjutant Normal, Birckhead is accountable for main over 6,300 troopers, airmen and workers– each federal and state. Together with main the drive, she should maintain their capability to prevail in opposition to all threats—no matter when or the place they occur. Moore emphasised to the viewers that Birckhead is now the state’s navy chief as a result of “she deserved it.”
On June 3, at two separate venues, Moore officiated ceremonies for Birckhead.
Her husband Craig Morton, youngsters Lindsay and Craig, sister Nicolle and her niece McKenna stood agency by her aspect with apparent love and adoration.
Visitors included Medal of Honor recipient Colonel (Ret.) Paris Davis, the previous Home of Representatives Sergeant At Arms, the Honorable William J. Walker, Military Normal (Ret.), Maryland’s Secretary for Veterans Affairs Johnnie E. Wilson, Anthony Woods and different previous and current navy leaders, politicians and mates.
These occasions formalized Birckhead’s new function as Maryland’s Adjutant Normal. She succeeds outgoing commander Maj. Gen. Timothy Gowen, who assumed command in 2019 from Maj. Gen. Linda Singh, appointed by Governor Hogan. Singh was the primary feminine and Black lady to carry the place for the reason that Nationwide Guard’s group in 1636.
Birckhead acquired her second star at 9 a.m. in a promotion to main normal. She desired to have a traditionally Black school or college (HBCU) because the venue for this historic ceremony and chosen the Calvin and Tina Tyler Ballroom situated at Morgan State College’s Scholar Middle.
The synergy on the HBCU was an apparent alternative for transition into her new rank and function.
Birckhead is a summa cum laude HBCU graduate from Hampton College, and the Maryland Nationwide Guard trains Morgan State ROTC Cadets. Each HBCUs have produced navy and civilian graduates who’ve risen to the very best skilled ranges of their respective fields. Hampton College’s present President can also be an alum, Lieutenant Normal (Retired) Darrell Okay. Williams.
In a video tribute to her mom, the late Ms. Fannie W. Birckhead was acknowledged as a well-respected activist in her Snow Hill Maryland group, offering a second of reflection and immense gratitude. In an interview with HBCU Instances Journal, Birckhead credit her mom for pushing her to use for ROTC at Hampton College, step one that introduced her into the Military. Birckhead’s mentor and the very best rating Black lady within the Military, Lieutenant Normal Donna Martin, administered the oath of workplace, a renewal of Birckhead’s dedication to service. Birckhead additionally thanked one other mentor, Brigadier Normal (Ret.) Julia Cleckley, the primary Black lady to rise to the ranks of normal within the Nationwide Guard.
Rising up on Maryland’s Japanese Shore, Birckhead’s spectacular navy profession included a number of command assignments and deployments. Whereas serving within the Nationwide Guard, she was a senior advisor for the U.S. Division of Inside, Bureau of Belief Fund Administration.
The second ceremony for Birckhead was held on the Fifth Regiment Armory in Baltimore, the place she assumed command and solidified her function because the Governor’s prime navy advisor.
Moore referred to Birckhead as a “soldier’s soldier” who led the state’s COVID-19 response. Her work on the Maryland Fairness Process Drive was the topic of an article within the New England Journal of Medication. After the Jan. 6 assaults on the Capitol in 2021, she led 14,000 troops to coordinate with the Capitol Police, Secret Service and members of the FBI members to safe the Capitol Constructing and surrounding grounds.
Moore, an Military veteran who served in Afghanistan, reverted to a navy posture when he walked by the troops throughout the change of command ceremony. His navy coaching and bearing had been evident as he squared his troopers and returned salutes.
In her remarks, Birckhead vowed “to not let the Governor down.”
It was a robust day for the state with Birckhead’s June 3 promotion and assumption of command, however the second additionally represented a robust and historic day for the nation. The AFRO want to ship a particular salute to Main Normal Janeen Birckhead, Maryland’s thirty first Adjutant Normal. For sure, the state of Maryland has a brand new commander-in-chief and a prime navy advisor who’re each greater than prepared and succesful to serve.
