SALT LAKE CITY (June 3, 2026) — Gov. Spencer J. Cox has selected Col. Michael D. Kjar as the next Adjutant General of the Utah National Guard.
Kjar has been selected to succeed Maj. Gen. Daniel D. Boyack, who has been nominated by the Executive Leadership Advisory Board and approved by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for a national-level position as the National Guard Advisor to the Commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command.
“The Utah National Guard is recognized across the country for its readiness, innovation, and professionalism,” said Gov. Cox. “Colonel Kjar has helped build that reputation over many years, and his experience and dedication make him the right leader to carry that work forward as Utah’s next Adjutant General.”
Colonel Kjar brings more than 30 years of military leadership and public service to the role. He enlisted in the Wyoming Army National Guard in 1995 and received a direct commission as a field artillery officer in the Utah Army National Guard in 2003.
A combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Colonel Kjar deployed to Ramadi, Iraq, and has served in a range of command and staff positions, including Recruiting and Retention Battalion Commander, Commander’s Action Group Director, Regional Training Institute Commander, and Utah Army National Guard Chief of Staff.
His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal. Colonel Kjar graduated from Southern Utah University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, earned a Master of Public Administration from Brigham Young University, and completed a Master of Strategic Studies at the U.S. Army War College in 2024.
The transition follows a period of significant readiness and modernization gains for the Utah National Guard under Maj. Gen. Boyack’s leadership.
During his tenure, the Utah National Guard achieved the highest personnel readiness rankings in the nation. Air National Guard end strength increased from 94% to 106%, and Army National Guard end strength increased from 95% to 105%.
Maj. Gen. Boyack also led key modernization initiatives, including the activation of the 1st Battalion, 204th Mobile Infantry; the establishment of two cyber squadrons; and the fielding of AH-64E Apache helicopters to enhance joint warfighting capability. He expanded Utah’s State Partnership Program with Morocco, supporting humanitarian and medical operations that provided health care to tens of thousands of Moroccans while strengthening interoperability and strategic cooperation across the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) theater. His leadership positioned the Utah National Guard as a national model for readiness, innovation, and mission effectiveness.
“Maj. Gen. Boyack has served Utah and our nation with honor, humility and extraordinary dedication,” Cox said. “He leaves the Utah National Guard stronger, better prepared and ready to meet the demands of a changing world. We are deeply grateful for his leadership, his sacrifice and his continued service to our country as he steps into this important national role.”
Gov. Cox will preside over a change of command ceremony between Maj. Gen. Boyack and Colonel Kjar on Aug. 3 at 9 a.m. at Roland Wright ANG Base.
