Retired effective Feb 1, 1999
Major General William
(Bill) P. Bland, Jr. is the adjutant general of Georgia. As head of the Georgia Department
of Defense, General Bland commands the military division, comprised of more than 11,500
members of the Georgia Army National Guard, 3,500 airmen of the Georgia Air National
Guard, and the Georgia State Defense Force. He is also director of the Georgia Selective
Service System.
General Bland graduated from Statesboro High School, in 1954. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial management from the Georgia Institute of Technology, in Atlanta, Ga., in 1959. General Bland military education includes Squadron Officer School, 1966; Air Command and Staff College, 1972; and the National Security Management Course of the National Defense University, 1979.
He began his military career when he enlisted with the 165th Fighter Interceptor Group Georgia ANG, Savannah, Ga., in October 1958, as a weapons control systems mechanic. He received a direct commission as a second lieutenant in February 1961 and graduated from pilot training at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, in August 1962.
The general was assigned to the 165th Tactical Airlift Group from September 1962 to May 1987 in a variety of assignments. From 1962 to 1965, he served as a transport pilot, 158th Air Transport Squadron. From May 1965 through July 1969, he was assigned as a transport pilot, 158th Military Airlift Squadron. From August 1969 through May 1972, he was assigned to the 165th Military Airlift Group as group air operations officer. He held positions as squadron operations officer and chief of aircrew standardization with the 158th MAS from May 1972 through December 1974. In December 1974, he was reassigned as group standardization/evaluation officer and then as group director of operations for the 165th Tactical Airlift Group. In July 1981, he was assigned as the air commander of the 165th TAG.
From May 1987 to May 1989, General Bland was assigned to the Air National Guard Support Center, Andrews AFB, MD, as deputy commander. In that capacity, General Bland directed the implementation of programs for ANG mission support activities such as safety and inspections, operations, logistics, and other activities, which insured the combat readiness of ANG units nationwide. He then served as chief of staff, Headquarters, Georgia ANG, from June 1989 to December 1989. He was appointed to the position of assistant adjutant general for Air, in January 1990, and later appointed as adjutant general of Georgia, in April 1991.
The general is a command pilot with more than 8,300 hours flying time. His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one silver oak leaf cluster, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Combat Readiness Medal with one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars, Humanitarian Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two hourglass devices, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. His state ribbons include the Georgia Distinctive Service Medal, Georgia Meritorious Service Medal, Georgia Commendation Medal, Georgia National Guard Service Medal with silver boarshead, Georgia State Active Duty Ribbon, and the Alabama Commendation Medal.
His civic affiliations include membership and past presidency of the National Guard Association of Georgia, National Guard Association of the United States, and Air Force Association. In addition, he belongs to the Military Order of World Wars, Sons of the American Revolution, and is a member and past president of the Rotary Club - Savannah West.
He was promoted and federally recognized as a major general on Oct. 6, 1992.
(Current as of February 2001)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.