Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday the appointment of Virginia’s 29th adjutant general, who will lead the Virginia Department of Military Affairs.

Brig. Gen. James W. Ring’s appointment as the chief administrative officer of the state’s Defense Force and Army and Air national guards will be effective June 3. Ring currently serves as the Virginia National Guard’s director of the joint staff, a position he has held since May 2018.

“I am incredibly honored and humbled by Governor Youngkin selecting me to lead the more than 9,000 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force,” Ring said.

Ring is a 1988 Distinguished Military Graduate of Virginia Military Institute. He commanded at the company, battalion, brigade and general officer task force levels and has served in key leader operational assignments from the state to national levels. His deployments include Operation New Horizons in U.S. Southern Command; Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia-Herzegovina; Operation Iraqi Freedom in Southwest Asia; and Operation Jump Start on the U.S. Southwest Border.

“Brig. Gen. Ring is a proven leader who has served in key command and staff positions at the state and national level as well as in combat, and I am confident in his abilities to lead the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force,” Youngkin said.

Ring will take the helm from Major General Timothy Williams. Williams has held the position for three terms spanning 2014 to 2023.

“Being assigned as the 28th Adjutant General of Virginia has been a singular honor and privilege to serve the men and women of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force over the last nine years,” Williams said. “I could not be prouder of these men and women who have displayed such dedication and professionalism. No matter what the challenge we faced, they always accomplished the mission in spectacular fashion.”

Caitlyn Burchett, caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com