![Official photograph for Ohio Adjutant General, Major General John C. Harris, Jr.](/leadership/tag/harris/images/mg-harris.jpg)
![Official photograph for Ohio Adjutant General, Major General John C. Harris, Jr.](/leadership/tag/harris/images/mg-harris.jpg)
PHOTO GALLERY
![Brig. General John C. Harris, Jr. stands with family and Governor DeWine.](/leadership/tag/harris/images/20230109-tag-reappointed.png)
2023-01-09
Adjutant general reappointed as Gov. DeWine begins second term
![Brig. General John C. Harris, Jr. takes oath from Governor DeWine.](/leadership/tag/harris/images/20190114-oath.png)
2019-01-01
Maj. Gen. John C. Harris, Jr. becomes Ohio's 83rd Adjutant General
![Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr. (center), Ohio assistant adjutant general for Army, receives his new shoulder rank epaulettes from Maj. Gen. Deborah A. Ashenhurst (left), Ohio adjutant general, and his wife, Angela.](/leadership/tag/harris/images/20141214-mg.png)
2014-12-14
Asst. adjutant general for Army receives second star
![Brig. General John C. Harris, Jr. is pinned by his son and daughter.](/leadership/tag/harris/images/20120302-bg.png)
2012-03-02
Col. John C. Harris, Jr. promoted to brigadier general
VIDEO GALLERY
Honoring those who’ve sacrificed:
A Memorial Day message from the adjutant general
05/26/2023: On Memorial Day, Americans remember the men and women who have served, fought and died for the nation. The holiday is a solemn reminder of the tremendous price that has been paid to ensure Americans’ liberties and safeguard their way of life. In his 2023 Memorial Day message, Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general, offers his thanks to Ohioans and all Americans who’ve made that sacrifice throughout the country’s history.
A Memorial Day message from the adjutant general
05/26/2022: In a video message to the force, Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general, reflects on how current world events should serve as a reminder to us all this Memorial Day to honor the men and women who've paid the ultimate price in service to our great nation.
Adjutant general’s extremist stand-down training video
03/07/2020: Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general, provides a video introduction for all Ohio National Guard units that conducted Department of Defense-mandated stand-down to address extremism in the ranks.
![Maj. Gen. Harris with 60 MINUTES logo](/stories/2021/mar/20200307-60-minutes.png)
Maj. Gen. Harris addresses Ohio National Guard members about coronavirus and COVID-19
03/07/2020: It's been nearly one year since Gov. Mike DeWine called on the Ohio National Guard members to support their fellow Ohioans by providing assistance at food banks across the state. Since the mission began, ONG Soldiers and Airmen have helped distribute about 90 million pounds of food. Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general, and others talked to "60 Minutes" about how the pandemic has impacted Ohio communities.
Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general, speaks out against racism
06/06/2020: A message to the force from our Maj. Gen. John Harris, Jr., Ohio adjutant general, about racism in the organization and respect while on mission. “Racism is a very real thing in our culture. Racism divides us, and it destroys trust. It's reprehensible.”
Ohio adjutant general's 2020 Memorial Day message
05/21/2020: Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general, provides his Memorial Day message and also talks about the historic efforts of the Ohio National Guard in fulfilling many vital needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maj. Gen. Harris addresses Ohio National Guard members about coronavirus and COVID-19
03/17/2020: Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general, has an important message for Ohio National Guard Soldiers, Airmen and civilians regarding coronavirus and COVID-19. In times of emergency or disaster, hurricane or pandemic, the National Guard has helped our fellow citizens in need for centuries. We are your family members, friends and neighbors.
We are Ohioans serving Ohioans
Always Ready, Always There!
Fostering, rewarding innovation within the Ohio National Guard
02/20/2020: Maj. Gen. John Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general, discusses innovation within the Ohio National Guard. The Ohio National Guard SPARC (Systematic Problem Analysis and Resolution Challenge) program was created to foster and reward a culture of innovation within the organization. “We have to have a culture that allows every single member to feel that they can make a contribution,” Harris said.
Meet the Ohio Adjutant General
02/11/2020: Maj. Gen. John C. Harris, Jr. became the 83rd Adjutant General of Ohio when he was sworn in Jan. 14, 2019, by Gov. Mike DeWine. In this interview, he discusses his organizational priorities, leadership and the reason he has been a member of the Ohio National Guard for more than 30 years.
Focus on what's important to the team
02/27/2018: Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio assistant adjutant general for Army, expresses his concerns regarding perceived divisiveness among Ohio National Guard members, and how it has no place in the ranks. He encourages Guard members to express themselves and their beliefs with family and friends about heavily debated topics within American society, but to do so in the proper environment. When in uniform, save those debates for another time and focus on what allows us to stay mission ready and combat effective. When we show up to do our duty, the most important thing is the team.
MESSAGES
02.17.2018 Focus on what's important to the team
01.23.2019 Ohio National Guard honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
02.11.2019 Meet the Ohio Adjutant General
05.10.2019 A day to show our spouses how much they’re appreciated
05.22.2019 Memorial Day message: We will never forget
06.14.2019 U.S. Army celebrates 244 years of selfless service to our nation
07.04.2019 This July 4th, we celebrate our Nation’s 243 years of independence
07.25.2019 Ohio National Guard’s 231st birthday
09.10.2019 September is National Suicide Prevention Month
09.18.2019 U.S. Air Force celebrates its 72nd birthday
10.23.2019 October 23-31 is Red Ribbon Week
11.11.2019 Veterans Day: A salute to all who’ve served their state and nation
11.28.2019 Give Thanks
02.20.2020 Fostering, rewarding innovation within the Ohio National Guard
02.21.2020 Message to Ohio National Guard members about coronavirus and COVID-19
05.21.2020 Memorial Day
06.05.2020 Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general, speaks out against racism
06.14.2020 Honoring the U.S. Army’s birthday, Flag Day
07.04.2020 Celebrating Independence Day
07.25.2020 The Buckeye spirit: The Ohio National Guard celebrates its 232nd birthday
09.01.2020 September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
09.18.2020 Happy 73rd birthday, U.S. Air Force!
11.26.2020 Giving thanks during a pandemic
12.13.2020 Happy birthday, National Guard: 384 years of service
2021
05.31.2021 Memorial Day will be commemorated on Monday, May 31
06.14.2021 A Message from the Adjutant General on the Army Birthday
07.04.2021 A Message from the Adjutant General on the Fourth of July
07.25.2021 A message from the adjutant general on the Ohio National Guard’s 233rd birthday
09.11.2021 Twenty years after 9/11, we must not forget
09.18.2021 The Adjutant General’s message on the U.S. Air Force birthday
11.11.2021 Adjutant General’s Veterans Day message
11.25.2021 Adjutant General’s Thanksgiving message
12.13.2021 Celebrating the National Guard’s 385th birthday
12.22.2021 Holiday greetings from the adjutant general
2022
05.26.2022 A Memorial Day message from the adjutant general
06.14.2022 Today, we celebrate the U.S. Army’s birthday
07.04.2022 Celebrating Independence Day 2022
07.25.2022 A message from the adjutant general on the 234th Ohio National Guard birthday
09.18.2022 Celebrating the U.S. Air Force’s 75th birthday!
11.11.2022 Adjutant general presents his 2022 Veterans Day message