Major General James A. Adkins was appointed as the 28th adjutant general of Maryland effective June 1, 2008. The adjutant general is responsible for the daily operations of the Maryland Military Department which includes the Maryland Army National Guard, Maryland Air National Guard, Maryland Emergency Management Agency and Maryland Defense Force. He is the senior advisor to the governor for those state agencies and is responsible for the readiness, administration and training of more than 7,200 members of the Maryland Military Department. As the adjutant general, he serves as the official channel of communication between the governor and the National Guard Bureau and serves as a member of the governor’s cabinet.