Photo By Don Veitch | The USS Constitution was the site of a promotion ceremony held for Brig. Gen. Francis...... read more read more
CHARLESTOWN, Mass. – The USS Constitution was the site of a promotion ceremony held by the Massachusetts National Guard at the Charlestown Navy Yard here, June 16, 2014.
Francis M. McGinn was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in the Massachusetts National Guard in front of a crowd of more than 100 family, friends and colleagues massed on the deck of the historic ship.
“What a great day to have a promotion ceremony in a place like this,” said Maj. Gen. L. Scott Rice, the adjutant general of Massachusetts. “What a fitting place, to stand on the deck of this magnificent ship, and be part of another push into the future.”
The site of the ceremony, the deck of the Nation’s oldest commissioned vessel, is not unusual for "The Nations’ First." The Massachusetts National Guard has been on the ship in the past. Rice said the Guard had promoted Maj. Gen. (MA) Gary Pappas and Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Charles Perenick Sr., here as well.
“This is a celebration for a family, for years and years of a family serving our country,” said Rice. “It is an honor to have the McGinn family in our midst on this special day.”
Rice promoted McGinn as his wife Kerry affixed the shoulder boards of brigadier general to his uniform coat. His children Kaylee and Colin placed the epaulets on to his service shirt.
“I stand here today, truly humbled by the opportunity to continue to provide strategic level leadership and advice on Army matters,” said McGinn “It seems like just yesterday my parents were pinning my second lieutenant bars on.”
McGinn is currently assigned as the assistant adjutant general-Army, Massachusetts National Guard. He serves as the principle adviser to the adjutant general on Army issues.
McGinn said our force has been stressed over the past 12 years working as an operational force and sees ensuring that service members and veterans receive the proper care as a responsibility of senior leadership.
“As part of my duties as assistant adjutant general I will work with governmental agencies, private organizations, veterans groups, and the National Guard Bureau to ensure care is provided to our service members,” said McGinn.
McGinn oversees the State Partnership Program with the Republic of Paraguay, chairs the Resilience, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention Program Council, and co-chairs the Joint Diversity Executive Council. He is president of the Academic Board and Senior Service College Selection Board.
McGinn received his commission as a second lieutenant through the Massachusetts Military Academy Officer Candidate School in 1984. He has served as a commander at company, battalion, brigade and garrison levels. McGinn is a 2005 graduate of the United States Army War College.
McGinn enlisted in the Massachusetts Army National Guard in 1981 and in 1984 served as platoon leader with the 126th Signal Battalion and since has served in a variety of key leadership positions. Prior to his current military assignment, McGinn served as the deputy chief of staff for operations, Massachusetts National Guard.
McGinn’s full-time occupation is a Massachusetts State Police captain currently assigned as Troop F executive officer and assistant director for Aviation Security at Logan International Airport in Boston.
| Date Taken: | 06.16.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.18.2014 08:53 |
| Story ID: | 133470 |
| Location: | CHARLESTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 607 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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