Brigadier General Matthew S. Woodruff has officially assumed the role of adjutant general of the Ohio National Guard Friday, May 30, 2025 upon the retirement of Major General John C. Harris, Jr. at a ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse led by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.

During a special ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse, the duties of Ohio’s adjutant general were officially transferred to Brigadier General Matthew S. Woodruff. 

Brig. Gen. Woodruff most recently served as the Ohio National Guard’s assistant adjutant general for Army and commanding general of the Ohio National Guard. He assumed the role of adjutant general upon the retirement of Major General John C. Harris, Jr.

A native of West Liberty, Ohio, Brig. Gen. Woodruff began his military career in May of 1990 when he enlisted as a medical specialist in the U.S. Army Reserves. He received his commission as an infantry officer from Bowling Green State University in 1996. 

Brig. Gen. Woodruff served on active duty from May 1996 until December 2008. His deployed assignments include Third Army, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait and the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Ohio Army National Guard to Afghanistan.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Bowling Green State University, a Master of Science in Logistics Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.

Also, Governor DeWine swore in Maj. Gen. Harris to begin serving as the director of the Ohio Department of Veteran Services, replacing Maj. Gen. (U.S. Army, retired) Deborah Ashenhurst, who retired from the agency last month. 

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