COLUMBUS—Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general, has appointed Larry M. Pinkerton, a retired colonel in the Ohio Army National Guard, to the position of commander of the State of Ohio Defense Forces (OHSDF). Pinkerton takes command upon the retirement of Brig. Gen. (OH) Richard J. Vasquez, who has led the organization since its inception in 2019. OHSDF is the coordination military organization over three volunteer components: the Ohio Military Reserve (OHMR), Ohio Naval Militia (ONM), and Ohio Cyber Reserve.

Newly promoted Brigadier General (L) Larry M. Pinkerton is congratulated by Ohio Adjutant General Major General John C. Harris ( R) at Haubrich Armory on Saturday April 2, 2022. Pinkerton is the incoming Commander of the State of Ohio Defense Forces, overseeing the Ohio Military Reserve, Ohio Naval Milita, and Ohio Cyber Reserve.

Harris promoted Pinkerton to the rank of brigadier general and presented him with the guidon, or symbolic colors, of the State Defense Force during a time-honored change of command ceremony held at OHSDF Headquarters at Haubrich Armory in Columbus in front of members of the Ohio Military Reserve and Ohio Naval Militia.

In his remarks, Harris stated he was appreciative of the work Vasquez had completed to have the Ohio Military Reserve and Naval Militia to be in position for multiple emergency calls to state active duty completed during the state’s COVID-19 response beginning in March 2020 and ending in March 2022.

Brigadier General (CL) relinques his command concluding a 24 year military career with Ohio State Defense Forces and Ohio Military Reserve, by passing the guidon to Major General John C. Harris (CR), Ohio’s Adjutant General. Vasquez was the first commanding officer of the State Defense Forces, overseeing the activities of the Ohio Military Reserve, Ohio Naval Militia, and Ohio Cyber Reserve. BG Pinkerton (R) and CSM Richard Backus (L) participated in the Change of Command Ceremony held on Saturday April 2, 2022 at Haubrich Armory in Columbus, Ohio.

“I want to thank Gen. Vasquez for his leadership, and I have every confidence in the abilities of Brig. Gen. Pinkerton to lead and grow this organization,” Harris said.

For his part, Pinkerton was grateful for the opportunity to lead, “I am honored to once again serve the people of Ohio and to lead the State Defense Forces at this time in its history. We have accomplished much, but there is much more to accomplish.”

Outgoing State Defense Forces Commander BG Richard J. Vasquez (L) is awarded The Ohio Distinguished Service Medal by Ohio Adjutant General MG John C. Harris (R ), culminating a 24 year military career with the Ohio Military Reserve and OHSDF. Vasquez was the first Commander of the OHSDF, and oversaw multiple calls to active duty of state personnel during the State of Emergency associated with COVID-19. The award was given on Saturday April 2, 2022 at a Change of Command Ceremony held at Haubrich Armory in Columbus, Ohio

Pinkerton holds a bachelor’s degree from Wright State University and a Master of Science from Florida Institute of Technology. He retired as deputy commander of the Ohio Army National Guard’s 174th Air Defense Artillery Brigade after a 30-year career.