Adjutant
General, Illinois National Guard
Major General Randal E. Thomas assumed duties as the 36th Adjutant General of Illinois on 6 June 2003. He is the principle advisor to the Governor on Military Matters and serves as the Commanding General of both the Illinois Army and Air National Guard. He is responsible for the daily operations of the Illinois National Guard and oversees its 13,500 men and women in uniform.
General Thomas entered military service in May of 1966 as an enlisted soldier in an Infantry company. He was commissioned an infantry officer upon graduation of U.S. Army Infantry School OCS. General Thomas served three years in the Active Army, to include one year in the Republic of Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces Group, and three years in the U.S. Army Reserves. He joined the Illinois Army National Guard in 1983 as a 1LT. Prior to his appointment as Adjutant General, General Thomas commanded an Infantry Company and Battalion along with a training Battalion and the training Regiment of the Regional Training Institute in Springfield. His latest assignment was as the Commander of the 66th Infantry Brigade, 35th Infantry Division, Decatur, Illinois.
1973 Southern Illinois University - BS Degree - English
1980 Southern Illinois University - MS Degree - Education
2000 U.S. Army War College - MSS Degree - Strategic Studies
1. Oct 66 - Jun 67, OCS/Airborne School, Fort Benning, Georgia
2. Jun 67 - Apr 68, JFK Center & 6th Special Forces Group
3. May 68 - Nov 68, Special Forces A102, Republic of Vietnam
4. Dec 68 - May 69, Special Forces B16, Republic of Vietnam
5. May 69 - May 72, USAR Control Group
6. May 72 - Feb 83, Not on Active Duty
7. Feb 83 - Jun 84, Executive Officer, C-2/130 Infantry, Illinois Army National
Guard, Litchfield, Illinois
8. Jun 84 - Sep 86, Commander, C-2/130 Infantry, Illinois Army National Guard,
Litchfield, Illinois
9. Sep 86 - Sep 87, S-3 Air, 2/130 Infantry, Illinois Army National Guard,
Urbana, Illinois
10. Sep 87 - Jul 88, S-2, 2/130 Infantry, Illinois Army National Guard, Urbana,
Illinois
11. Jul 88 - Apr 89, OCS Instructor, IMA, Illinois Army National Guard,
Springfield, Illinois
12. Apr 89 - Sep 91, S-3, IMA, Illinois Army National Guard, Springfield,
Illinois
13. Sep 91 - Oct 93, Battalion Executive Officer, 3/130 Infantry, Illinois Army
National Guard, East St. Louis/Marion, Illinois
14. Oct 93 - Sep 95, Battalion Executive Officer, 2/130 Infantry, Illinois Army
National Guard, Urbana, Illinois
15. Sep 95 - Sep 97, Commander, 2/130 Infantry, Illinois Army National Guard,
Urbana, Illinois
16. Sep 97 - Jun 99, Commander, 2 GS Battalion, 129th Regiment (RTI), Illinois
Army National Guard, Springfield, Illinois
17. Jun 99 - Jul 00, Resident U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks,
Pennsylvania
18. Jul 00 - Nov 00, Mobilization Planner, State Area Command, Illinois Army
National Guard, Springfield, Illinois
19. Nov 00 - Mar 01, Operations Officer, 129th Regiment (RTI), Illinois Army
National Guard, Springfield, Illinois
20. Mar 01 - Dec 02, Commander, 129th Regiment (RTI), Illinois Army National
Guard, Springfield, Illinois
21. Jan 03 - Jun 03, Commander, HHC 66th Brigade, 35th Infantry Division (Mech),
Illinois Army National Guard, Decatur, Illinois
22. Jun 03 - Present, Adjutant General, Illinois National Guard, Springfield,
Illinois
Bronze Star Medal with V device for Valor
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal with 2d Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Commendation Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Achievement Medal
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal - 5th Award
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device
Combat Infantryman's Badge
Parachutist Badge
Special Forces Tab
2LT AUS 15 May 67
1LT AUS 15 May 68
CPT ARNG 1 Jun 84
MAJ ARNG 6 Jun 89
LTC ARNG 19 Sep 96
COL ARNG 22 Mar 01
BG ARNG 28 Apr 2005
MG
(Current as of February 2006)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.