Brig. Gen. John R. Pippy equated the emotions of the formal ceremony to recognize him as the 55th adjutant general of the Pennsylvania Department of Military Affairs to a football player getting ready for the big game.
“It’s like throwing up before a football game – and then going out and returning for a touchdown. That’s how I feel right now. So it is such an honor to be with everyone here today,” Pippy said. “And when you think about all the people that have sacrificed, anyone that works in uniform, anyone that works in government service, you get choked up. That’s okay, because we’re passionate people in Pennsylvania. We’re passionate fans.”
Governor Josh Shapiro nominated Pippy last October as the acting adjutant general of Pennsylvania. On Feb. 4, the state Senate unanimously confirmed Pippy as the 55th adjutant general of Pennsylvania, making him a permanent member of the governor’s cabinet and head of the Pennsylvania Department of Military Veterans Affairs (DMVA).
Read More: Senate confirms new PA Adjutant General
On Friday, Feb. 28, a room filled with colleagues, soldiers, legislators, family members, and friends witnessed the ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap to honor an individual who’s dedicated his life to public service.
Shapiro spoke of the military team that Pippy will command and the vital work they do to “protect our freedoms at home and abroad” as well as service overseas as peacekeepers and the work they do here at home.
“They help our communities recover the wake of tragedy and natural disasters like last fall when I deployed members of our Guard in North Carolina to assist in the recovery and relief efforts after Hurricane Helene. They are working right now to secure our southern border, and they help train our allies around the world. Right now, members of our Guard are in Germany training Ukrainian soldiers to withstand Russian aggression.” Shapiro said. “This is all possible thanks to the dedicated service members and their families here in Pennsylvania who stand behind them in this work.”
Shapiro noted Pippy’s service as a state senator and long distinguished military career as part of his decision to name him to lead the state DMVA.
“I first met John about 20 years ago. We served at the Pennsylvania Legislature together. And while we were on different sides of the aisle, we found common purpose in serving our veterans, protecting our kids, and delivering for our communities. I admired his dedication to public service as a state representative, state senator, and as a member of the Army National Guard,” Shapiro said. “It was a real pleasure for me, on being elected governor, to reconnect with John in his role as director of the Joint Staff.”
In his new role, Pippy is responsible for the command and control of nearly 18,000 Army and Air National Guard members, a complement of 2,500 commonwealth employees, care of residential cadets at the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy; and six state-owned veterans homes and programs for the state’s nearly 700,000 veterans.
Pippy most recently served as the director of the Joint Staff, Joint Force Headquarters in the Pennsylvania National Guard, and as the Deputy Chief of Engineers for National Guard Affairs at the U.S. Corps of Engineer headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“I knew there was no better person than John, General Pippy, a dedicated military man with the heart of a public servant and great love for Pennsylvania and for our country,” Shapiro said. “Someone who is always motivated to be present in the moments that matter most, whether it’s in his role in the National Guard, in the time he takes to be there or in his family. General Pippy is always focused on serving others. I know he will bring the same dedication to his new role as adjutant general of Pennsylvania.”
Major Gen. (ret). Jessica L. Wright, who presided over the ceremony, highlighted why Pippy was promoted. Wright is a former under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness of the U.S. Department of Defense, and former adjutant general of Pennsylvania from 2004 to 2010.
“John exemplifies the traits of a true leader and soldier. He is a blend of exceptional including strategic vision, decisiveness, and the ability to inspire and lead. General Pippy has a deep commitment to the Army, the Army National Guard, and to veterans,” Wright said. “He leads by example, standing and working alongside those people that he leads. He earns their respect through courage, integrity, and unwavering dedication to the mission.”
Pippy said he’s grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity.
“I am honored and humbled to lead the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in its dual mission,” he said. “The first is the readiness of the Pennsylvania National Guard to respond to the needs of the commonwealth and country when called upon. The second is to fulfill our nation’s solemn obligation to take care of our veterans and their families. I am fully committed to serving Pennsylvania as its 55th adjutant general.”
The ceremony included the unfurling of the two-star flag, which serves a distinct purpose. The official unfurling ceremony signifies the transition from brigadier general to major general. When an Army officer is promoted to the rank of flag officer, they are presented with a flag that depicts their rank. The flag is used to announce their presence to subordinates, peers, and superiors alike.
It was noted that the original flags authorized by the general officers were both flags, scarlet and colored. They were first authorized for use in war on Aug. 22, 1903, and they will be used by officers when making official visits to Navy vessels. The authorization of the flags was further expanded to include automobiles, field, and office flags in 1923. In 1947, the deputy chief of staff of personnel authorized all general officer flags to be scarlet with white stars and gold rings. The unfurling of the two-star flag was the way the military formally introduced Pippy as a major general in the U.S. Army.
Pippy closed his comments by stating his vision for the DMVA’s future.
“I’m committed to fostering a culture where every voice is heard, every talent is recognized, and every member feels valued. Building these formidable teams requires more than just assembling skilled individuals. It involves nurturing relationships, encouraging open communication, creating an environment where everyone can thrive. We must be willing to learn from each other and also to share our strengths,” he said. “And most importantly, this is a tough job. We must be willing to support others when they’re going through challenging times. That is part of our values that we have to support each other. … We can build on the legacy of excellence that defines the Pennsylvania National Guard. In doing that, we will strive to be the guardians of our state safety, the champions of our community’s well-being, and the embodiment of our nation’s honor and integrity.”
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