COLONEL BOBBY M. GINN, JR. PROMOTED TO BRIGADIER GENERAL

Story by 1st Lt. Desmond Jones, Camp Shelby Public Affairs Specialist
Photos by Capt. Kandi Murphy, MSNG Historian

Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles (left), the Adjutant General of Mississippi, and Vicki Ginn (right), wife of Col. Bobby Ginn, both pin the rank of brigadier general on Col. Bobby M. Ginn, Jr., during his promotion ceremony at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Hattiesburg, MS, on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Family, friends, and service members from the Mississippi National Guard, Tennessee National Guard, and Virginia National Guard filled the seats of Dolton Hall, Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, April 25, 2024, to witness the promotion and pinning ceremony of Col. Bobby M. Ginn, Jr., to brigadier general. General officers hold the operational and strategic authority levels within the military. The general officer rank originated in the 16th century, delineating the highest ranks in the armed forces.

“Bobby, this is a proud moment for every one of us here today to see you being promoted to general officer,” said Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, the adjutant general of Mississippi. “You have about 800,000 men and women currently serving in uniform for the Army—that ebbs and flows from about 800,000 to 1 million at any given time, but the number of general officers who lead that formation remains steady at about 500.”

Brig. Gen. Bobby M. Ginn, Jr., began his military career in 1990 as an enlisted Soldier. In 1993, he was commissioned through the Mississippi National Guard’s Officer Candidate School and became a Supply Officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 114th Area Support Group. In 1994, he was assigned as a platoon leader, and in 1999, assumed command of the 367th Maintenance Company. Since then, he has held many assignments, including commander at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, and most recently, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics.

Ginn serves as a dual-status technician as the Director, Joint Staff for the Mississippi National Guard (MSNG). He supervises and directs the MSNG’s staff, managing three training installations, budgets, and resources for all significant MSNG programs. Additionally, Ginn oversees the development and coordination of all policies, plans, and programs of the Mississippi National Guard.

“It is only fitting to stand here on this same stage today that I did 31 years ago, commissioning as a second lieutenant,” said Ginn. “When I was a kid, my father would have me in tow, and I was encouraged to hear the old timers say I acted much older than I was. Nowadays, I have mixed feelings when my kids tell me that I’m old school.”

Ginn has a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Human Science from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the United States Army War College. His military education includes the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, the Ordnance Officer Advanced Course, the Multifunctional Combat Service Support Course, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, and the Command and General Staff Officer Course.

“For a quarter of a century, this organization, both Army and Air, has answered the call with an immeasurable amount of contributions to our strategic organization,” said Ginn. “It depends on who you ask who has the hardest job in the military. I have spent a career working with the Infantry, Armor, Engineers, Aviators, Logisticians, and many others in our profession of arms. Well, I can tell you exactly what the hardest job is—and that is being a military spouse. We cannot do what we do without you, and I want to thank each and every one of you for your commitment to your service members and for carrying the heavy load that you do.”

Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles (left), the Adjutant General of Mississippi, and Vicki Ginn (right), wife of Col. Bobby Ginn, both pin the rank of brigadier general on Col. Bobby M. Ginn, Jr., during his promotion ceremony at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Hattiesburg, MS, on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
Bri. Gen. Bobby M. Ginn, Jr., Director of Joint Staff, stands next to his daughter as he takes the oath after being pinned to the rank of brigadier general at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Hattiesburg, MS, on April 26, 2024.
Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, the Adjutant General of Mississippi, administers the oath for Brig. Gen. Bobby M. Ginn, Jr., Director of Joint Staff. He stands next to his daughter while he takes the oath after being pinned to the rank of brigadier general at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Hattiesburg, MS, on April 26, 2024.
Brig. Gen. Bobby M. Ginn, Jr., Director of Joint Staff, unveiled the general officer flag during his promotion ceremony at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Hattiesburg, MS, on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
Brig. Gen. Bobby M. Ginn, Jr. (left), Director of Joint Staff, and Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, Adjutant General of Mississippi (right), both stand at attention during the publication of the order during Brig. Gen. Ginn's promotion ceremony at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Hattiesburg, MS, on Thursday, April 25, 2024.