James A. Adkins

James A. Adkins
Born 1954
Cambridge, Maryland
Allegiance  Maryland
Service/branch  United States Army
Years of service More than 30
Rank Major General

James A. Adkins is a retired senior military officer and former cabinet-level official in state government having served as Maryland's Adjutant General and Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Major General Adkins was born in 1954 in Cambridge and grew up on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Prior to entering the U.S. Army, he served two years with the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office

His military career spanned nearly 40 years of service in both the enlisted and officer ranks. He served at nearly every level of command and in various staff assignments. Adkins graduated from the Defense Language Institute’s Russian Language Program in Monterey, California, and served in intelligence, infantry, and cavalry assignments in the United States and abroad. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, he assisted the Republic of Estonia in its integration into NATO. His military career took him to Japan, Germany, Estonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Egypt and Afghanistan.

Adkins’ military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Maryland Distinguished Service Cross, the Republic of Estonia's Order of the Cross of the Eagle 2nd Class and the Order of the White Cross.

His senior military education included the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of the State of New York and a master’s degree in history from Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. General Adkins was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the American University in Bosnia and Herzegovina in recognition of his service to that country.

In 2016, he was selected for induction into the Defense Language Institute's Hall of Fame in Monterey, California. General Adkins was inducted into the Maryland State Firemen's Association Hall of Fame in 2014.

He is a member of numerous organizations including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, American Veterans (AMVETS), Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, U.S. Army War College Foundation and Alumni Affairs, 2nd Armored Division Association, 29th Infantry Division Association, National Society Sons of the American Revolution, Society of the War of 1812, and the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association.

Major awards and decorations

Other achievements

See also

A History of the Adjutants General of Maryland

References


    Military offices
    Preceded by
    Maj. Gen. Bruce F. Tuxill    		 Adjutant General of Maryland
    2008 – 2015     		Succeeded by
    Maj. Gen. Linda L. Singh
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