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Changing time, changing Guard: Maryland gets a new AG

By Pfc. Brianna Kearney, 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment—

BALTIMORE (Feb. 28, 2015) — The Maryland National Guard held a historic change of command ceremony at the 5th Regiment Armory in Baltimore on Feb. 28, 2015. Maj. Gen. (MD) Linda L. Singh assumed command of the Maryland Military Department from Maj. Gen. James A. Adkins. She is the first African American and the first female to attain this position.

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The ceremony also marked a change of responsibilities for the state’s senior enlisted leaders: U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas B. Beyard replaced U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Glenn D. Hart.

Singh grew up in Frederick County and enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1981. She was commissioned as an officer after 10 years of service as an enlisted Soldier. Her career has spanned more than 30 years.

The change of command ceremony uses the passing of the unit’s colors (flag) to represent passing on the command of the Maryland Military Department. The outgoing commander passes the flag to the state governor, which represents relinquishing the command. Then the governor passes the flag to the incoming commander to represent entrusting the responsibility of the role.

“When I think about the journey that we have ahead of us, it is going to be tough, and it is going to be challenging,” Singh said. “I think you can expect me to be tough and to be challenging, but I will always smile.”

The change of responsibility ceremony is very similar to the change of command ceremony, but a sabre (sword) is passed between the enlisted leaders instead of the colors.

After the ceremonies, Maryland Governor Lawrence Hogan commented on the retiring Adkins and the future command of Singh.

“Now he has some pretty big shoes to fill, but I am confident that we found the right leader to fill those shoes,” Hogan said. “I could not be more proud of our appointment of Maj. Gen. Linda Singh as our new adjutant general.”