COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina’s adjutant general, Army Maj. Gen. Stanhope S. Spears, relinquished leadership of the South Carolina National Guard to Army Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston, Jr. in a ceremonial change of command January 9, 2011 at the University of South Carolina’s Coliseum.
Soldiers and Airmen from the South Carolina National Guard stood in formation with a massing of colors and representatives from each of the Major Subordinate Commands, and units from around the state. More than a thousand Soldiers, Airmen, and their friends and family members witnessed the ceremony.
Addressing many of those he commanded for the past 16 years, Spears said being the adjutant general was extremely gratifying.
“Being your adjutant general for the last 16 years has been a highlight of my life,” he said. “All of you did your jobs extremely well. As I leave here today, I offer my congratulations to Maj. Gen. Robert Livingston.”
Livingston will be officially sworn in as the state’s 27th adjutant general on January 12. Unique among his fellow adjutants general, he is the only elected adjutant general in the nation.
He was elected in the November statewide election, and becomes only the sixth adjutant general since 1926, following Spears and other legendary SCNG leaders, including World War I Medal of Honor recipient Lieutenant General James C. Dozier, who held the post for 33 years.
During his tenure, Spears led the South Carolina National Guard through numerous deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, the Balkans and other hot-spots around the world. Under his leadership, the South Carolina Army and Air National Guards have maintained a renowned reputation as elite combat forces, evidenced by the many combat deployments the South Carolina National Guard units have completed.
Livingston has commanded at the company, battalion and brigade levels. A decorated combat commander, Livingston led South Carolina Soldiers from the 218th Brigade Combat Team through a one-year deployment to Afghanistan.
From May 2007 to April 2008, he commanded Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan, providing training teams for the Afghan National Army and Police.
During his remarks, Livingston expressed confidence in those he is about to lead.
“As I look out on this formation, I see great Palmetto Warriors – strong with integrity, mindful of the past and looking to the future,” he said. “If you’re ready, tough times mean opportunities. Knowing what I know about the SCNG and the Military department, we are ready.”
Prior to becoming adjutant general, Livingston was deputy director, J5, U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. In civilian life, Livingston is owner and president of Gregory Electric Company, a multi-state provider of commercial and industrial electrical, utility and telecommunications services.