Brig. Gen. Arthur W. Hinaman was promoted to his current rank in a ceremony

held at the District of Columbia National Guard Armory on April 1.  Maj. Gen.

Errol R. Schwartz, commanding general, District of Columbia National Guard,

presided over the ceremony, which was attended by his fellow Capital

Guardians, other military personnel, local political leaders and Hinaman's

family and friends.

Hinaman has served as the commander, Land Component Command since October

2009. In his current role, he is responsible for the overall readiness,

training, maintenance, and operational employment of the units assigned and

attached to the District of Columbia Army National Guard.

He will continue his focus on the Soldiers of the D.C. National Guard, which

is dedicated to supporting the Nation's Capital.

In a speech laced with humor and emotion, the newest general officer in the

D.C. National Guard thanked the hundreds of military personnel who helped him

throughout his career. "You are truly the ones who have earned this rank and

I will use it to make your lives better," Hinaman said.

Hinaman was commissioned in 1982 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps

program at the Pennsylvania State University.  Previously, General Hinaman

served in the District of Columbia National Guard as the Commander, 74th

Troop Command; Chief of Staff, Army; Deputy Director of the Joint Staff; and

State Army Aviation Officer.  While deployed in support of Operation Enduring

Freedom, General Hinaman served as the Commander, Air Corps Advisory Group in

Kabul, Afghanistan.

The general is an Army pilot with over 2,000 flight hours on aircraft such as

the TH-55, UH-1, AH-1 and C-12. Awards and decorations include the

Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf

Cluster Army Achievement Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, and Army

Reserve Component Achievement Medal with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.