Colonel Yvonne L. Mays has reached a historic milestone by becoming the first Black woman to lead the New Jersey National Guard.
Promoted to Brigadier General on November 25, 2024, at the National Guard Armory in Lawrenceville, Mays also holds the distinction of being the third Air Force officer to command the Guard.
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Yvonne L. Mays, The Adjutant General of New Jersey, was promoted to brigadier general at the National Guard Armory in Lawrenceville, Nov. 25. Mays is the first Black woman and the third Air Force officer to lead the NJNG.
????by Mark C. Olsen pic.twitter.com/ZGXwlvFdEo— NJ National Guard (@NJNationalGuard) November 25, 2024
Governor Phil Murphy lauded her achievement, praising her decades of leadership and service.
“Honored to celebrate the promotion of Colonel Yvonne Mays to Brigadier General,” Murphy shared on X. “After enlisting in the Air Force straight out of high school, she has spent more than four decades leading her fellow service members with strength and purpose. She will be a remarkable Brigadier General.”
Honored to celebrate the promotion of Colonel Yvonne Mays to Brigadier General.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) November 25, 2024
After enlisting in the Air Force straight out of high school, she has spent more than four decades leading her fellow service members with strength and purpose. She will be a remarkable Brigadier… pic.twitter.com/ncPXExurAI
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A Distinguished Career in Service
Prior to her promotion, Mays served as Acting Adjutant General of New Jersey and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. She was responsible for leading over 8,400 Soldiers and Airmen of the New Jersey National Guard and overseeing federal and state missions. Additionally, she managed state veterans’ programs, commissions, and facilities.
Mays began her military career in 1983, enlisting as an airman in the U.S. Air Force. She served on active duty for nine years before transitioning to the reserve component for six more. Her journey with the National Guard began as a soldier in the South Carolina Army National Guard. She received her commission from the Palmetto Military Academy in July 1999.
Throughout her distinguished career, Mays has held numerous leadership roles, including:
- Director of Personnel and Commander, Military Personnel Flight, 177th Fighter Wing, Atlantic City, NJ
- State Public Affairs Officer and State Partnership Program Manager, NJNG
- Bilateral Affairs Officer in the Republic of Albania
- Commander, Mission Support Group, 177th Fighter Wing
She has supported key military operations such as Operation Just Cause, Desert Storm, Operation Noble Eagle, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Most recently, she served as Deputy to the Dual Status Commander and Deputy Joint Task Force Commander for New Jersey’s COVID-19 response operations.
Colonel Yvonne L. Mays’s remarkable career and historic promotion not only exemplify her leadership but also mark a significant step forward for diversity and representation in the military. Her dedication to service continues to inspire both her fellow service members and the broader community.
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