Gov. Blagojevich appoints Brigadier General William L. Enyart as 37th Adjutant General; will lead Illinois Department of Military Affairs

SPRINGFIELD- Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today named Brigadier General William L. Enyart as the new 37^th Adjutant General of Illinois.  Enyart will command more than 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen of the Illinois National Guard.  He will also serve as the Governor's principal advisor on military matters and function as the director of the Department of Military Affairs.  Enyart will assume command from Maj. Gen. Randal E. Thomas, who retires in September.

 

"General Enyart brings a wealth of military and civilian experience to the Illinois National Guard.  He has served in the Illinois Army National Guard for more than 30 years in a wide variety of positions. Major General Randy Thomas performed an outstanding service to the Illinois National Guard, and I'm sure General Enyart will build upon that record, bringing leadership and vision to help the Illinois Army National Guard better serve and protect our state," said. Gov. Blagojevich.

 

Enyart has more than 30 years of military service, including serving in the United States Air Force, before joining the Illinois Army National Guard in 1982.  He currently serves as the Deputy Commanding General for the Illinois Army National Guard.  He has served in the Infantry, Judge Advocate General Corps and various staff positions in the Illinois Army National Guard.

 

Enyart is currently a practicing attorney in Belleville, and is licensed in Illinois and Missouri, as well as U.S. Federal Courts and the Circuit Court of Appeals for the Armed Services.  He is also a certified military trial lawyer.  Enyart earned his law degree Southern Illinois University School of Law after completing his undergraduate degree in journalism and political science at SIU - Edwardsville.

 

Enyart takes command of the Illinois National Guard in September.  Thomas, retiring as the 36^th Adjutant General, has led the Illinois Guard through its highest period of mobilizations since World War II.  More than 8,500 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers and more than 50 percent of the Illinois Air National Guard have been mobilized in support of the Global War on Terrorism.  Thomas was a traditional Guardsman before taking command of the Illinois National Guard, having spent more than 30 years in education as a Hillsboro High School teacher.