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    South Carolina governor announces nominee for 29th adjutant general for South Carolina

    South Carolina governor announces nominee for 29th adjutant general for South Carolina

    Photo By Maj. Jessica Donnelly | South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Van McCarty as the...... read more read more

    COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

    01.17.2019

    Story by Lt. Col. Cindi King 

    South Carolina National Guard

    COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Van McCarty as his nominee to be the 29th adjutant general for South Carolina during a press conference at the State House in Columbia, South Carolina, Jan. 17, 2019.

    The adjutant general leads the South Carolina Military Department, which includes the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, South Carolina Army and Air National Guard, South Carolina State Guard and South Carolina state operations which includes the South Carolina Youth Challenge and South Carolina Military Museum. McCarty has served as the Deputy Adjutant General since 2013.

    “Our National Guard is ranked repeatedly in readiness as one of the top in the nation, which means they are fit to fight and respond to the needs of our citizens,” said McMaster. “That is because of the two great leaders we have with us today...After a thorough review, it is clear that the man to lead our National Guard at this time is General McCarty...[McCarty] is an experienced Soldier. He's been in combat, overseas. He's served his country well. He's served our state well, and I appreciate deeply the help and guidance I received from General Livingston in making this selection."

    Before introducing McCarty, McMaster recognized and thanked U.S Army Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston, Jr., the outgoing adjutant general for South Carolina, for his eight years serving as a member of the governor’s cabinet and for his 40 years of military service. Livingston is retiring in March 2019 after a formal change of command ceremony scheduled for Feb. 16, 2019.

    “I want to thank the governor and all of Team South Carolina for the honor and privilege I’ve had as serving as the head of your military department. We are very proud of our great men and women in our organization and proud of the governor’s selection for the new adjutant general,” said Livingston. “I also am very grateful and thankful for our families. Our families are why we do what we do and they are also our strength.”

    McCarty is resident of Lexington, South Carolina. He attended The Citadel, graduating in 1982 with a United States Army Reserve commission in the Field Artillery. During more than 36 years of military service, he has commanded units at every level, from battery to brigade. McCarty’s previous command assignments include: Battery Commander, Alpha Battery, 4th Battalion, 178th Field Artillery; Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion, 178th Field Artillery during Operation Iraqi Freedom; Regional Police Advisory Commander, 218th Enhanced Separate Brigade during Operation Enduring Freedom; Brigade Commander, 59th Troop Command; Assistant Adjutant Army and Deputy Adjutant General.
    During his service, McCarty has been involved in the South Carolina National Guard responses to Hurricane Hugo, ice storms, Pinnacle Mountain wildfire, the 2015 statewide flood, and most recently during Hurricanes Matthew and Florence.

    McCarty’s awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; Meritorious Service Medal, with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Commendation Medal, with Four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; Army Achievement Medal, with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; among many other medals and awards.

    He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from The Citadel and completed the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy at Quantico, Virginia, serving twenty-four years in the Law Enforcement Division with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

    McCarty and his wife Susan have one daughter, Madelynn and four sons, Matthew, Micah, Mackenzie, and Major.

    “I am humbled, pleased, and excited about this opportunity that you have appointed me as the adjutant general for the great state of South Carolina...I enjoy being with the Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian employees of the South Carolina Military Department that allow us each day to do the great things we do for this state and for this nation,” said McCarty. “I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that we have. I look at this as an opportunity to move forward on the great foundation that Maj. Gen. Livingston and his team have made in putting this great organization together and see where we can take it going forward."

    The South Carolina Military Department consist of approximately 12,000 part and full-time service members and civilian employees and is headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina.

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 01.17.2019
    Date Posted: 01.17.2019 16:21
    Story ID: 307393
    Location: COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, US

    Web Views: 844
    Downloads: 0

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