More Information

Major General (IL) Randal E. Thomas

Major General (IL) Randal E. Thomas is the 36th Adjutant General of the State of Illinois. He serves as a member of the Governor’s Cabinet, and he is the Governor’s principal advisor on military matters.

As the Adjutant General, General Thomas directs the Illinois Department of Military Affairs, and he is the senior officer in the Chain-of-Command for both the Illinois Army and Air National Guard. He is responsible for the daily operations of the Illinois National Guard and oversees its 13,500 men and women in uniform (1750 of whom are full time) and for the 300 civilian employees in the Department. As the head of the Department, he works closely with the leadership of the National Guard Bureau and the Departments of the Army and Air Force in Washington, DC.

General Thomas is a graduate of Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in English in 1973, and a Master of Science Degree in Education in 1980. He also holds a Master of Strategic Studies Degree from the United States Army War College, Carlisle Pennsylvania, Class of 2000, which is his highest military education level. His other principal military education courses include Airborne School, the Special Forces Qualification Course, and numerous qualifying branch courses.
General Thomas received his commission as an Infantry Officer from the US Army Infantry Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, GA in 1967. He served a total of three years on active duty, including one year (1968-1969) in the Republic of Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces Group, and three years in the US Army Reserves. He joined the Illinois Army National Guard in 1983, and has commanded at the Infantry Company and Infantry Battalion level. He commanded a training Battalion and the training Regiment of the Regional Training Institute in Springfield. His latest assignment was as Commander of the 66th Infantry Brigade, 35th Infantry Division, Decatur, Illinois.

Prior to his appointment as the Adjutant General, General Thomas had completed 30 years as a secondary school educator in Illinois. He taught high school English for seven years and had been Hillsboro High School Librarian/Media Director for 23 years.

As Adjutant General, Thomas has the responsibility for deployment of Illinois National Guard soldiers and airmen for a variety of missions. He coordinates with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to ensure timely response to state emergency situations requiring National Guard mobilizations to state active duty. He directs mobilizations to federal active duty for both the Army and Air National Guard.

General Thomas’ military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for valor, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award), Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (5th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge and Special Forces Tab.

His civic affiliations include life member, US Army War College Alumni Association; Life member, National Guard Association of the US and National Guard Association of Illinois; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Illinois Federation of Teachers; and Illinois School Library Media Association.
General Thomas is married and has two sons.