Maj. Gen. Kerry Muehlenbeck stepping down as Arizona adjutant general

PHOENIX – Maj. Gen. Kerry Muehlenbeck, the only woman to serve as Arizona adjutant general, is returning to civilian life.

Muehlenbeck, a former prosecutor, is stepping down June 7 and returning to her job as a criminal justice professor at Mesa Community College, Gov. Katie Hobbs announced Monday.

“It has been an honor to serve as Arizona’s adjutant general,” Muehlenbeck said in a press release. “To be able to work alongside dedicated men and women, both in and out of uniform, in service to Arizona and the nation is a privilege beyond measure.”

What does Arizona adjutant general do?

As Arizona adjutant general for the last four years, Muehlenbeck has been leading the state’s National Guard and Department of Emergency and Military Affairs.

She manages the day-to-day activities of an 8,000-plus member department that includes Arizona’s Army and Air National Guard, Joint Programs and the Division of Emergency Management.

“I am grateful to Maj. Gen. Muehlenbeck for her service to the people of Arizona,” Hobbs said the release. “She is a valued member of my cabinet who is dedicated to fostering public safety across the state.”

Muehlenbeck became the first woman to lead the Arizona National Guard, which was founded in 1865, when then-Gov. Doug Ducey named her adjutant general in April 2021. She brought over 20 years of military experience to the job, including time as deputy adjutant general.

In June 2021, Ducey promoted her from the rank of brigadier general to major general.

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