Gov. Pritzker Officiates Illinois National Guard Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony
Major General Rodney Boyd Becomes the First Person of Color to Command the Illinois National Guard, Major General Neely Receives Distinguished Service Medal for 40 Years of Service
May 4, 2024
CHATHAM — Governor JB Pritzker, the Commander-in-Chief of the Illinois National Guard, officially transferred command of the 301-year-old military organization from the 40th Adjutant General for Illinois, Major General Richard Neely, to the 41st Adjutant General, Major General Rodney Boyd, during a Change of Command Ceremony today at Glenwood High School in Chatham. After the Change of Command, Major General Neely retired from the military after 40 years of service.
"From historic floods to civil unrest to a global pandemic, General Neely has helped us face some of our toughest challenges, leading us out to the other side safer, stronger, and more unified," said Governor JB Pritzker. "General Neely is leaving some big shoes to fill, but I could not be more confident in Major General Rodney Boyd’s ability to do so. Already the highest-ranking person of color in the history of the Illinois National Guard, he will become the first Black officer and person of color to assume command. I look forward to working together to promote the security and freedom of Illinois, our nation, and our world."
As the Illinois National Guard’s Commander-in-Chief, it is the Governor’s responsibility to officiate the Change of Command Ceremony transferring the Illinois National Guard’s blue guidon with golden Lincoln-head from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander. The flag served as a rallying point and reminder of their allegiance to their leader during battle. To this flag and its commander, military members dedicated their loyalty and trust.
After the formal “passing of the colors” Governor Pritzker thanked General Neely for his more than five years leading the Illinois National Guard and his 40 years of military service.
A native of the South Side of Chicago, General Boyd is the first Black officer and person of color to command the Illinois National Guard’s 13,000 service members and to lead the 2,200 full-time military/federal employees and 230 civilian state employees. He is now responsible for the training, preparation and deployment of Soldiers and Airmen in support of combat and contingency operations worldwide and, upon orders from the Governor, the National Guard’s response to domestic emergencies both in Illinois and out-of-state through emergency management agreements between the different states and territories.
General Boyd is a combat veteran who has served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait; has been the Assistant Adjutant General and Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, since July 2021. He became the highest-ranking person of color in the history of the Illinois National Guard in February 2023 when he received his second star as a major general. As the Adjutant General for Illinois, General Boyd also holds the titles of Commander of the Illinois National Guard and Director of the Illinois Department of Military Affairs.
After graduating from Wendell Phillips High School, he enlisted as a Marine Corps Reservist before transitioning to the Army National Guard and then commissioning through the Guard’s Officer Candidate School on Camp Lincoln, Springfield, in August 1990. He has served honorably in the military for more than 38 years.
He commanded the Chicago-based 108th Sustainment Brigade before being selected in 2020 as the Assistant Chief of Staff, J4 (Wartime), United States Forces Korea and being promoted to brigadier general. Prior to being selected as the Assistant Adjutant General – Army, Boyd was a traditional National Guard Soldier holding positions in the private sector after retiring as the Chief of Police in Bellwood, Illinois.
General Boyd holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Northern Illinois University, a master’s degree in Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle and a second master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
“I thank Governor Pritzker for selecting me to command the Illinois National Guard and Major General Neely for his stellar leadership for 40 years. I am humbled and honored to lead the outstanding men and women of this great organization,” said General Boyd. “I look forward to continuing the great work of our Soldiers and Airmen and building on the foundation established more than three centuries ago. Much has changed over time, but the relevance of the Illinois National Guard has stood the test of time. I am proud to be part of the National Guard – past, present, and future.”
Following the Change of Command Ceremony, Governor Pritzker presented General Neely with the Distinguished Service Medal in honor of his 40 years of military service and leadership culminating with his more than five years commanding the Illinois National Guard. The Distinguished Service Medal is presented to those who “distinguish themselves by exceptionally meritorious service to the government in a duty of great responsibility. The performance must be such as to merit recognition for service that is clearly exceptional.” In order of precedence, it comes only after the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Crosses of the Armed Services. General Neely said he was grateful to the Illinois National Guard service members for the success of the organization during his tenure as Adjutant General.
After the medal presentation, General Neely’s spouse, Tammy, was presented with a certificate honoring her service as a military spouse. Then Neely’s retirement order was read and he retired from military service.
As Commander of the Illinois National Guard, General Neely oversaw the federal overseas deployments of 4,800 Soldiers and Airmen to 21 countries around the world and 5,600 service members on state active duty, exceeding 500,000 duty days combined.
Beginning in 2020, General Neely directed the largest and longest domestic operations activation in Illinois National Guard history in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen assisted with 250,000 COVID-19 tests, delivered eight million masks, administered nearly two million vaccines throughout the state among many other support missions.
He also directed five Illinois National Guard activations in response to civil unrest including support to the nation’s capital following January 6, 2021. These activations involved 1,500 service members and more than 14,000 duty days. He also led the Illinois National Guard during major flooding in 2019 involving 830 Soldiers over nine weeks.
During his tenure, General Neely oversaw the Illinois National Guard’s State Partnership Program with Poland, and due to his exceptional efforts, he was awarded the Polish Commanders Cross with Silver Star Order of Merit from the President of Poland in 2022. A contingent of Polish military officers led by Maj. Gen. Ireneusz Nowak, Polish Air Inspectorate, traveled from Europe to attend the Change of Command and General Neely’s retirement.
General Neely was only the second Air Force officer to serve as the Adjutant General of Illinois, the first since Major General Harold Holesinger retired in 1991. He was a nationwide leader in cyber security, serving as the Senior Cyber Advisor to the Chief and Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau, among many other prominent cybersecurity roles. General Neely served in the Pentagon for nearly five years starting as the Chief of Current Operations then as Deputy Director for Cyber, Communications and Space Operations while also serving as the Air National Guard’s Chief Information Officer. His final assignment in the Pentagon was as the Principal Deputy Director for Air Operations, Intelligence, Cyber and Space Operations.
General Neely holds a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University and was inducted into the ISU College of Business Hall of Fame last year. He also holds a master’s degree in public administration, Policy and Leadership with a Chief Information Officer concentration from the National Defense University.
“The Illinois National Guard’s 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen met and overcame every challenge over the last five and a half years,” said General Neely. “But we could not have overcome every obstacle and accomplished every mission without the support of our families, our employers and our communities. Our Soldiers and Airmen are truly amazing as are their families and support networks. General Boyd is a great leader who will help the organization overcome future obstacles and whatever challenges arise.”
###