Major General Robert P. French assumed duties as the Assistant Adjutant General, Pennsylvania Army National Guard in September 2007. As Assistant Adjutant General, on behalf of the Adjutant General, he is responsible for overseeing the readiness of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He was responsible for advising and assisting Pennsylvania’s Adjutant General in the operation of Pennsylvania Army National Guard forces. These activities include the manning, training, and logistical support required to accomplish the federal and state missions of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

General French was commissioned in 1974 after completing Officer Candidate School at the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Academy. He began his career as a Guardsman in 1972, when he enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

General French served in a variety of key positions while in the Headquarters State Area Command. As Commander of the 28th Personnel Service Battalion, he was mobilized in support of Operation Joint Guard, the United Nation’s peacekeeping effort in the Balkans. General French served as the Director of Personnel and Chief of Staff for the Headquarters State Area Command, Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Prior to his present assignment, General French was assigned as the Deputy Commander, Joint Force Headquarters.

EDUCATION:
1972 Mansfield State College, Bachelor of Science, Education, Mansfield, Pennsylvania
2001 United States Army War College, Master of Strategic Studies, Carlisle, Pennsylvania

ASSIGNMENTS:
1. May 1974 - June 1974, Selective Service Officer, Headquarters Detachment, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
2. June 1974 - December 1974, Medical Supply Officer, 911th Medical Company, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
3. December 1974 - April 1975, Medical Operations Assistant and Commander, Detachment 1, 911th Medical Company, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
4. April 1975 - March 1978, Heavy Mortar Platoon Leader and Commander, Detachment 1, Support Company, 3rd Battalion, 109th Infantry, Mansfield, Pennsylvania
5. March 1978 - October 1979, Executive Officer, Support Company, 3rd Battalion, 109th Infantry, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
6. October 1979 - November 1980, Tactical Intelligence Officer, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry, Lewistown, Pennsylvania
7. November 1980 - October 1982, S1, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry, Lewistown, Pennsylvania
8. October 1982 - April 1985, Commander, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry, Lewistown, Pennsylvania
9. April 1985 - March 1986, S4, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry, Lewistown, Pennsylvania
10. March 1986 - August 1986, Logistics Staff Officer, Pennsylvania National Guard Academy, Headquarters State Area Command, Annville, Pennsylvania
11. August 1986 - May 1992, Personnel Officer, Headquarters State Area Command, Annville, Pennsylvania
12. May 1992 - June 1995, Deputy Director of Personnel, Headquarters State Area Command, Annville, Pennsylvania
13. June 1995 - May 1998, Commander, Headquarters, 28th Personnel Services Battalion, Annville, Pennsylvania
14. May 1998 - July 2002, Director of Personnel, Headquarters State Area Command, Annville, Pennsylvania
15. July 2002 - February 2004, Chief of Staff, Headquarters State Area Command, Annville, Pennsylvania
16. February 2004 - July 2005, Assistant Adjutant General,-Army Joint Force Headquarters, Pennsylvania National Guard, Annville, Pennsylvania
17. July 2005 - September 2007, Deputy Commander, Joint Force Headquarters, Pennsylvania National Guard, Annville, Pennsylvania
18. September 2007 - Present, Assistant Adjutant General, Joint Staff/Commander Joint Task Force, Joint Force Headquarters, Pennsylvania National Guard, Annville, Pennsylvania

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Commendation Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Army Achievement Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star)
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Gold Hourglass and M Device)
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
Pennsylvania Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Silver Star)
Pennsylvania Commendation Medal
Pennsylvania Service Ribbon (with Numeral 4)
Pennsylvania Twenty Year Service Medal (with 2 Silver Stars)
Major General Thomas R. White Jr. Medal
Pennsylvania Recruiting and Retention Medal
General Thomas J. Stewart Medal
Army Superior Unit Award
Governor’s Unit Citation
The Adjutant General’s Staff Identification Badge

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS:
National Guard Association of the United States

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant 19 May 1974
First Lieutenant 18 May 1977
Captain 22 December 1980
Major 7 April 1986
Lieutenant Colonel 15 February 1992
Colonel 19 May 1998
Brigadier General 21 February 2004
Major General 18 November 2005