Baldwin retires after four decades of military service
Leading with grit and rigor for 11 years as Cal Guard’s Adjutant General
by Amanda H. Johnson
California National Guard Public Affairs
Sept. 28, 2022
SACRAMENTO, Calif.— U.S. Army Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin stood steadfast in front of a large crowd of his colleagues, friends, and family as he received his last official order as a service member for the state of California and the United States Army.
“By order of the Secretary of the Army, announcement is made of the withdrawal of federal recognition from the following officer, by reason of having been transferred to the U.S. Army Human Resource Command, U.S. control group retired, name: David S. Baldwin.”
Applause broke the silence once the order was read aloud. Baldwin’s final mission complete.
“Since 1982, for over 40 years, Maj. Gen. Baldwin has faithfully and proudly worn the uniform of the United States Army,” said the Honorable Eleni Kounalakis, the 50th Lieutenant Governor of California.
“He’s commanded formations at all levels, served abroad in both Kuwait and in Afghanistan and since 2011, has been the adjutant general of the California National Guard; the largest and most tasked National Guard force in the United States with an authorized strength of 23,000 personnel.”
A California National Guard joint color guard presented the flags for the event composed of service members from all branches of the California Military Department.
A California National Guard joint color guard presented the flags for the event composed of service members from all branches of the California Military Department.
“He’s commanded formations at all levels, served abroad in both Kuwait and in Afghanistan and since 2011, has been the adjutant general of the California National Guard; the largest and most tasked National Guard force in the United States with an authorized strength of 23,000 personnel.”
Maj. Gen. (RET) David S. Baldwin, the 46th Adjutant General of the California National Guard bowed his head during the invocation for his retirement ceremony.
Maj. Gen. (RET) David S. Baldwin, the 46th Adjutant General of the California National Guard bowed his head during the invocation for his retirement ceremony.
"He led the California National Guard through every last challenge with dignity, clarity, and commitment to people."
“Warriors put the mission first, and Dave Baldwin has done so for 40 years."
"You can rest assured that the leadership, training, and mentorship you have provided to thousands of California Guardsmen and women you have known and led over the years will continue to pay dividends, not only for those individuals, but to our state and to our nation for years to come.”
When Baldwin enlisted in the army as a medic, he didn’t know he’d oversee the entire National Guard of California nearly thirty years later. His only motivation at the time was to take care of people.
Baldwin graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology and commissioned as a second lieutenant to take care of people on a different level, said Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau.
“When he commanded a rifle company that deployed to the LA riots in 1992, even in that volatile environment, Dave took care of his people,” said Hokanson. “The heart of every mission are people and Baldwin never forgot this, because leaders take care of their people.”
Baldwin lives by the ethos that warriors put the mission first. In his first year as the adjutant general of California, he set the tone with a leadership audit paving the way for a diverse and progressive climate.
In his second year, there were the wildfires that challenges every California TAG, and one that seems to grow hotter and more destructive every year. The wildfire mission would persist every year of his tenure and continues to this day. Warriors put the mission first, said Hokanson.
In his eighth year as TAG, Baldwin oversaw a force that was on the front lines of the COVID pandemic.
"On March 5th, 2020, the California Air National Guard delivered COVID test kits to the Grand Princess cruise ship anchored off the coast of San Francisco. It was six days before COVID was declared a pandemic and one week before it was declared a national emergency. Warriors put the mission first," said Hokanson.
In his ninth year, Baldwin sent California troops clear across the country to support the presidential inauguration, part of a nation-wide mobilization of 26,000 strong in only two weeks. Warriors put the mission first.
"In his tenth year, he became the spokesman for the power of the state partnership program when California’s state partner, Ukraine was invaded by Russian forces. Baldwin’s steadfast connection to Ukraine’s Armed Forces made our nation’s support very clear," said Hokanson.
In the early days of the conflict, the California National Guard knew more about what was happening in Ukraine than most everyone else. And that’s because warriors put the mission first.
“Warriors put the mission first, and Dave Baldwin has done so for 40 years,” said Hokanson.
During those 40 years of service, Baldwin served with many great leaders, and learned a lot while climbing the rank structure to major general. During his speech, he thanked dozens of people ranging from the former Governor of California, Jerry Brown, to service members at the start of his career.
“What I learned from him (Brown) is discipline, in particular self-discipline and a disciplined approach to solving problems with rigor,” said Baldwin. “Another one of the things I learned from him is to do things with grit; it does not have to be fancy or glossy when you get after things, it has to be effective, and you can do it with grit.”
Maj. Gen. (RET) David S. Baldwin, left, receives a certificate of appreciation from Consul General Dmytro Kushneruk, right, Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco.
Maj. Gen. (RET) David S. Baldwin, left, receives a certificate of appreciation from Consul General Dmytro Kushneruk, right, Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco.
“What I learned from him (Brown) is discipline, in particular self-discipline and a disciplined approach to solving problems with rigor.”
Mr. Rhys Williams, left, the Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary, Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, presents the Order of California to Maj. Gen. (RET) David S. Baldwin, right, for exceptionally meritorious service in a career spanning 40 years culminating as the adjutant general of California.
Mr. Rhys Williams, left, the Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary, Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, presents the Order of California to Maj. Gen. (RET) David S. Baldwin, right, for exceptionally meritorious service in a career spanning 40 years culminating as the adjutant general of California.
“When you go back home to whomever it is that allows you to serve in our National Guard, thank them.
You can’t do your job without their love and support.
What they do when we’re deployed on fires, to combat, or whatever,
is ten times harder than what we do;
emotionally, administratively, and physically.
My last order to you is go home and
thank whomever that person is in your life.”
Representatives from California Air National Guard, California Army National Guard, California State Guard, Cal Guard’s Youth and Family programs, California Office of Emergency Services, California Governor’s Office, and several other agencies expressed gratitude and appreciation for Baldwin’s tenure and commitment.
“Your wealth of knowledge and decades of experience will continue to be called upon in one form or another,” said Kounalakis. “In addition, you can rest assured that the leadership, training, and mentorship you have provided to thousands of California Guardsmen and women you have known and led over the years will continue to pay dividends, not only for those individuals, but to our state and to our nation for years to come.”
“Thank you for your service to the state of California and to the United States of America.”
Director Mark Ghilarducci, right, director of California Office of Emergency Services, presents a certificate of commendation to Maj. Gen. (RET) David S. Baldwin, left, during Baldwin's retirement ceremony.
Director Mark Ghilarducci, right, director of California Office of Emergency Services, presents a certificate of commendation to Maj. Gen. (RET) David S. Baldwin, left, during Baldwin's retirement ceremony.
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey D. Smiley, right, commander of the California Army National Guard, presents a momento to Maj. Gen. (RET) David S. Baldwin, left, on behalf of the California Army National Guard.
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey D. Smiley, right, commander of the California Army National Guard, presents a momento to Maj. Gen. (RET) David S. Baldwin, left, on behalf of the California Army National Guard.
“Thank you for
your service
to the
state of California
and to the
United States of America.”
The Honorable Eleni Kounalakis
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