Providence, RI – Governor Lincoln D. Chafee announced today his selection of Major General Kevin R. McBride, the commander of United States Army North’s Contingency Command Post 1, to serve as the Adjutant General of the State of Rhode Island and Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard.
“Major General McBride has demonstrated leadership throughout his accomplished career with the Army National Guard,” Governor Chafee said. “A native Rhode Islander, he has performed with distinction in both military and civilian roles. He has a deep understanding of the workings of the Army National Guard, of emergency management, and of the State of Rhode Island, as well. He has my complete confidence and I know that he will continue to make Rhode Island proud with his service.”
Major General McBride will replace the outgoing Major General Robert T. Bray, the current Adjutant General and Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard, who has resigned effective June 30.
“MG Kevin McBride is a tried and true leader with significant strategic experience at the state and national levels, including a combat tour to Iraq," said Major General Bray. “He is a natural selection for this key cabinet post and I am certain he will continue to move this great organization forward as we continue to answer both our nation's and our state's call to service in these most trying times. I pledge my full support during the transition period and can insure the members of the Rhode Island National Guard and the RI Emergency Management Agency that the transfer of authority will be seamless.”
Major General McBride is currently assigned as the commander of United States Army North’s Contingency Command Post 1. The Contingency Command Post is a Homeland Defense/Homeland Security headquarters designed to deploy on short notice to coordinate activities of military response forces for natural or man-made disasters. The contingency command post is designed as an all hazards command and control unit. It has the capability to go anywhere needed to ensure Department of Defense personnel responding to support local, state and federal officials during a disaster have centralized command and control.
Prior to his current assignment, Major General McBride served as the U.S. Army Materiel Command's (AMC) Assistant Deputy Commanding General, Army National Guard (ARNG). He was the senior Army National Guard officer in AMC and principal advisor to the AMC commanding general on all matters impacting the ARNG. He was also the liaison to the Chief, National Guard Bureau for all AMC National Guard issues. He coordinated support for mobilizing and demobilizing ARNG units to ensure equipment and logistical requirements were achieved.
In 2005, Major General McBride deployed to Iraq as the Commanding General of the RI National Guard’s 43rd Military Police Brigade, where he was responsible for all theater-level detention facilities. Among his many duties in that role, he was responsible for shutting down Abu Ghraib prison.
An East Providence native, Major General McBride graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering and received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). He also received a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College in 2000.
Major General McBride has served in a variety of command and staff positions during his career, including commanding an Attack Helicopter Battalion, a Light Utility Helicopter Battalion and the 56th Troop Command (Airborne). He also served as the commanding general for the 43rd Military Police Brigade during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2005-2006.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze Service Star), Iraqi Campaign Medal (with two Bronze Service Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Silver Hour Glass and M Device), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (with Numeral 2), Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (with Numeral 3), Rhode Island Star, Rhode Island Defense Service Medal, Rhode Island National Guard Service Medal (with Gold Eagle Device), Army Meritorious Unit Commendation, Gubernatorial Unit Commendation, Senior Army Aviator Badge, and the Combat Action Badge.
***The Adjutant General of the State of Rhode Island is appointed by the Governor and serves at the will of the Governor. The Adjutant General assumes three distinct roles: the Adjutant General of the State of Rhode Island, the Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard, and the Director of the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency.***