BRIGADIER GENERAL GARY A. PAPPAS

Commander, Massachusetts Army National Guard

Brigadier General Gary A. Pappas assumed the duties of Commander of the Massachusetts Army National Guard in June 2000. He is responsible for training of all Army National Guard Troops and Units in Massachusetts, as well as their preparedness to respond to civil operations and deployment to assume the duties of their wartime mission.

The General's military service began with enlistment in October 1968. Commissioned as an artillery officer in 1971 following Officer Candidate School he distinguished himself in various Field Artillery assignments. Prior to his current assignment he commanded the 42nd (Rainbow) Division Artillery and developed key training relationships with the multi-state 42nd Division units, the 103rd Field Artillery Brigade, Rhode Island, as well as the 1st Corps Headquarters.

Education:

1974 Field Artillery School, Officer Basic Course
1982 Field Artillery School, Officer Advanced Course
1988 Command & General Staff College
1998 Senior Service College Fellow -Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
1968 Suffolk University, Boston, MA, BA (History)

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Jul 71- Mar 74, Executive Officer, Battery A, 1st Battalion, 102d Field Artillery, Massachusetts Army National Guard 
2. Mar 74 - Mar 77, Battery Commander, Battery A, 1st Battalion, 102d Field Artillery, Massachusetts Army National Guard
3. Mar 77 - Jul 79, Fire Support Officer, 1st Battalion, 102d Field Artillery, Massachusetts Army National Guard
4. Jul 79 - Jul 83, Fire Direction Officer, 1st Battalion, 102d Field Artillery, Massachusetts Army National Guard
5. Jul 83 - Aug 83, Motor Officer, 1st Battalion, 102d Field Artillery, Massachusetts Army National Guard
6. Aug 83 - Jan 84, Counter Fire Officer, 26th Division Artillery, Massachusetts Army National Guard
7. Jan 84 - Feb 85, Asst. FSC, 26th Division Artillery, Massachusetts Army National Guard
8. Feb 85 - Dec 87, S-3, 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery, Massachusetts Army National Guard
9. Dec 87 - Mar 88, S-1, 26th Division Artillery, Massachusetts Army National Guard
10. Mar 88 - May 88, Operations Duty Officer, 26th Division Artillery, Massachusetts Army National Guard
11. May 88 - Jul 92, Executive Officer, 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery, Massachusetts Army National Guard
12. Jul 92 - Nov 94, Commander, 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery, Massachusetts Army National Guard
13. Nov 94 - Sep 96, Executive Officer, 42nd Division Artillery, Massachusetts Army National Guard
14. Sep 96 - Mar 98, Commander, 1st Battalion, 102d Field Artillery, Massachusetts Army National Guard
15. Mar 98 - Oct 98, Special Projects Officer, Headquarters, State Area Command, Massachusetts
16. Oct 98 - Jun 00, Commander, 42nd Division Artillery, Massachusetts Army National Guard
17. Jun 00 - Present, Commander, Massachusetts Army National Guard, Milford, Massachusetts

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

Meritorious Service Medal (1996 with 1 bronze oak leaf cluster 2000)
Army Commendation Medal (1982, 1991)
Army Achievement Medal (1985, 1986)
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (1972, 1976, 1980, 1985, 1986)
National Defense Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal (1978)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (1978, 1986)
Army Service Ribbon (1985)
Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (1985)

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS:

2LT ARNG 4 Jul 71
1LT ARNG 4 Jul 74
CPT ARNG 2 Aug 75
MAJ ARNG 13 Mar 84
LTC ARNG 2 Jul 92
COL ARNG 1 May 98
BG (LINE) ARNG 6 Oct 00