Adjutant General nominee moves to full Senate

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Roberto Di Giovine | U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robin B. Stilwell, Governor McMaster’s nominee as the 30th adjutant general for South Carolina, testifies before the South Carolina Senate’s Family & Veterans’ Services Committee convened at the Gressette Building, State House complex, Columbia, South Carolina, March 19, 2025. By unanimous vote, the committee voted in favor of Stilwell’s nomination. The committee’s vote will be followed by the submission of a favorable report to the South Carolina Senate for confirmation. Stilwell’s spouse, Mrs. Charlotte Stilwell, accompanied the nominee to the hearing, joined by the current adjutant general for South Carolina, U.S. Army Mag. Gen. Van McCarty, his deputy, U.S. Army Mag. Gen. Jeff Jones, and a group of South Carolina National Guard leaders in attendance. Among them, retired Mag. Gen. Lester Eisner, formerly a deputy adjutant general, retired Maj. Gen. Stephen B. Owens, formerly an assistant adjutant general, and several other senior officers and noncommissioned officers of the South Carolina National Guard, attended the event to show their support to Stilwell’s nomination. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Roberto Di Giovine)  

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

03.19.2025

Story by Stephen Hudson 

South Carolina National Guard

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Governor Henry McMaster’s nominee for the state’s top military officer sailed through his confirmation hearing, March 19 at the Marion Gressette Building on the Statehouse complex.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robin Stilwell, director of joint staff for the South Carolina National Guard, received bipartisan praise and a few questions from the Senate Family and Veterans’ Services Committee as the panel considered his nomination as the Adjutant General of South Carolina.

The hearing room was packed with Soldiers and Airmen from the National Guard, state agency directors, Guard retirees and other legislators all on hand to support Stilwell’s confirmation.

“I want to congratulate you on your nomination by Governor McMaster,” said Sen. Tom Young Jr., committee chair.

During the opening remarks Senator Young outlined Stilwell’s military and civilian accomplishments. After the introduction Stilwell had an opportunity to address the committee during the hearing.

“Just let it be known, Senator, that I am overwhelmed by the show of support that’s here this morning,” he said of the people attending the hearing. “These people behind me represent the best that the state of South Carolina and the United States of America have to offer. I am humbled and honored by them.”

Stilwell has more than 30 years of service to the South Carolina National Guard, deploying on multiple combat deployments including Afghanistan, Kosovo and Kuwait.

“I truly believe that the South Carolina National Guard is an extension of my family,” Stilwell said. “I believe the people in the organization are the most critical component of the organization. If I am lucky enough to be confirmed as the next Adjutant General of the State of South Carolina, each and every decision that I will make will be calculated in the best interests of the people of the South Carolina Military Department.”

During the confirmation hearing Stilwell was asked what was a challenge facing the Guard.

“Recruiting and retention is number one,” Stilwell said.

After his opening statement and questioning from the committee members, they voted 100 percent in support of Stilwell’s nomination and moved it to the full South Carolina Senate for an upcoming vote.

• Date Taken: 03.19.2025
• Date Posted: 03.23.2025 16:43
• Story ID: 493309
• Location: COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, US