RICHMOND, Va. — Col. Christopher J. Samulski will be assigned as the new deputy commander of the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, according to an announcement made Oct. 17, 2019, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. Samulski replaces Col. Russell E. McGuire who is moving to be the J5 joint strategic plans officer on the Virginia National Guard Joint Staff, and Col. Charles B. Martin, Jr. will become the J3 joint operations officer. All the assignments are effective Nov. 1, 2019.
“Please join me in congratulating these experienced leaders on advancement to positions of greater responsibility, recognizing their dedicated service and aptitude for increased challenges,” Williams wrote in the announcement. “We are fortunate to have Soldiers of this caliber leading the way as we face new opportunities. Both the 116th IBCT and the Virginia National Guard Joint Staff will meet significant training requirements on the horizon, and I am confident that these officers possess the skills and experience necessary to achieve total mission success.”
These assignments follow the retirement of Col. Brian J. Coleman, the Virginia National Guard J3 joint operations officer, after decades of service to Commonwealth and country.
“We wish him and his family the best in retirement,” Williams wrote.