A Bowling Green State University alumnus has been appointed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to serve as the next adjutant general for the Ohio National Guard, the state’s highest military position.
As Ohio’s adjutant general, Brigadier General Matthew Woodruff will become a member of the governor’s cabinet and serve as the principal military adviser to DeWine. He will command the Ohio Army National Guard, Ohio Air National Guard and the Ohio State Defense Force, which is made up of the Ohio Military Reserve, Ohio Naval Militia and the Ohio Cyber Reserve. In addition, he will be tasked with supervising the heads of those components in the day-to-day operation and management of the readiness, fiscal, personnel, equipment and real property resources of the agency.
In the role, Woodruff will oversee 10,000 soldiers, 5,000 airmen and an additional 1,000 state and federal employees.
“Coming from a town of less than 2,000 people and now having the responsibility of around 16,000 people is unbelievable,” Woodruff said. “I am humbled to be selected by Gov. DeWine to serve this great state and our military.
“To be able to walk away each day knowing I’ve made a positive difference in the lives of Ohio citizens is rewarding. Whether it was providing them food at food banks, security at different locations or providing assistance at hospitals and care centers, our soldiers, airmen and Ohio Military Reserve were everywhere across the state making a difference. There isn’t anywhere else I’d rather be.”
Currently serving as the assistant adjutant general for the Army and commanding general of the Ohio Army National Guard, Woodruff will begin his new role following Major General John Harris Jr.’s retirement on May 31.
Growing up in West Liberty, located outside of Bellefontaine, Woodruff was interested in the military but also had a passion for helping and teaching others.
Woodruff enlisted in the Army after high school and also enrolled at BGSU, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
During his time at BGSU, Woodruff enjoyed not only the student experience but also the classes he took. Taking methods classes and completing student teaching at Perrysburg’s Fort Meigs Elementary School and Findlay’s Glenwood Middle School, Woodruff said BGSU prepared him for his future military career.
“BGSU provided me with the support I needed as a student, while also encouraging me to focus on critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills,” he said. “One of the most impactful courses I remember taking is interpersonal communications. Not only did I learn to speak in front of others, I learned to be comfortable being uncomfortable. The things I learned at BGSU were instrumental in my ability to lead as an Army officer once I graduated.”
Woodruff graduated in 1996 and received his commission as an infantry officer before spending the next 13 years on active duty. His deployments took him to Kuwait and Afghanistan, where he served as an air branch chief, logistics officer and chief of current operations.
Though he never officially entered the classroom as a K-12 teacher, Woodruff remained an educator, mentoring and developing service members as they navigated their careers in the Ohio National Guard.
“I loved every day I was on active duty and having every soldier of yours available to shape, develop and train,” Woodruff said.
After leaving active duty, Woodruff found himself in his home state of Ohio, serving as the readiness officer at the Defense Supply Center in Columbus.
While raising a family, he continued working his way through the Ohio National Guard ranks, holding the titles of:
- Director of Strategic Plans and Policy, Ohio National Guard
- Commander, 1-148 Infantry Battalion (Walbridge, Ohio)
- Chief of Staff, Army National Guard
- Commander, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Columbus, Ohio)
- Dual status commander – COVID-19 Response Operations
- Assistant Adjutant General, Ohio Joint Force Headquarters
Woodruff continues to return to BGSU, visiting a few times each year for campus and athletic events, spend time with the friends he made as a student and visit the Office of Nontraditional and Military Student Services.
“BGSU is by far the most veteran-friendly university that we have in Ohio, and it shows in the rankings,” Woodruff said. “The supportive staff work directly with veterans and military students, provide unmatched support and work with students as they navigate their education through deployments. I can’t say enough good things about Bowling Green between my experience there as a student and as a military member.”
