FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
Brig. Gen. Christopher J. Samulski took command of the 29th Infantry Division from Maj. Gen. Joseph A. DiNonno Aug. 3, 2025, on the Long Parade Field at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of the Virginia, presided over the exchange of organizational colors signifying the transfer of command from DiNonno to Samulski. Command Sgt. Maj. Eric J. Saxton, the 29th senior enlisted leader, was keeper of the colors for the ceremony.
“We are fortunate today as we conduct the change of command from Maj. Gen. DiNonno to Brig. Gen. Samulski, to continue to bring steady leadership with citizen Soldiers who have served at the highest level of our combat formations, including multiple deployments around the globe,” said Ring. “To the family and Nicole and Rachel, we thank you for your steady leadership and support to these two great leaders as they continue to lead our formations.”
Samulski previously served as the 29th Infantry Division’s deputy commanding general for operations. Before that, he commanded the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from August 2020 to January 2023, including their mobilization to Kosovo as Task Force Saint Lo from February to November 2022. He began his career when he enlisted as a mortarman in the Army National Guard in 1995.
He earned his commission as an infantry officer in August 1997. He served in a variety of staff and command positions, including infantry company command, battalion operations officer, commander of the 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment and operations officer for the 29th Infantry Division. He deployed to Iraq in 2010 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and commanded 1-116th Infantry during their deployment to Qatar in 2016 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom Spartan Shield.
“To the Soldiers of the 29th, the next several years will provide both challenges and opportunities for the 29th Infantry Division and its aligned brigades. I look forward to leading and serving with all of you,” said Samulski. “We will continue to work hard, learn and excel to ensure this division is prepared when our nation or states call. We are the ‘Blue and Gray Division!’”
Samulski reflected on the historic heritage and combat proficiency of the 29th Infantry Division and thanked DiNonno for his leadership, guidance and vision in the two years he served as division commander. He acknowledged the high bar set by DiNonno and the professionalism of the staff and Soldiers.
DiNonno reflected on his service as the 29th’s commanding general.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as the commanding general of the 29th Infantry Division,” said DiNonno. “Prior to this assignment, I was fortunate to serve as the deputy commanding general for operations during the division headquarters’ most recent deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield, which concluded in 2022.”
DiNonno went on to highlight the division's accomplishments during his tenure as commanding general.
“Among our most significant achievements was our successful deployment and execution of Operation Immediate Response in Poland, as part of the Defender 24 series of linked exercises in Europe,” recounted DiNonno. “The 29th ID proved its ability to rapidly deploy, integrate and exercise mission command over U.S., allied and partner brigades in some of the most challenging combined arms tasks – most notably, wet gap crossings.”
During the ceremony, Ring presented DiNonno with the Army’s Distinguished Service Medal. DiNonno’s follow-on assignment will be serving as the special assistant to the Director of Army National Guard for 18th Airborne Corps Matters, effective Sept. 1, 2025.
Formed in 1918, the 29th Infantry Division saw action in World War I, participated in the D-Day landings on Omaha Beach during World War II, and mobilized thousands of Soldiers to the Middle East, Southwest Asia, and Africa throughout the Global War on Terror.
Today, the 29th Infantry Division stands as one of the Army National Guard’s eight infantry divisions, with units spread across seven states from Maryland to Florida. As part of the National Guard’s emerging division-aligned force, the 29th Infantry Division maintains training and readiness oversight of the following units:
- Alabama National Guard’s 226th Movement Enhancement Brigade
- Georgia National Guard’s 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
- Florida National Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team
- Maryland National Guard’s 29th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade
- North Carolina National’s Guard’s 113th Sustainment Brigade
- Virginia National Guard’s 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
• • Arkansas National Guard’s 142nd Fires Brigade