Biography

Major General Kevin R. McBride is a native of East Providence, Rhode Island and is a 1976 graduate of East Providence High School. He was a standout runner while in high school and was the Captain of the Cross Country Team his senior year.

Kevin entered the University of Rhode Island on a partial track scholarship in 1976 and enrolled in the Army ROTC program for four years. During his senior year, he served as the Cramer’s Sabers Battalion Commander. In 1980, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Armor. He was selected as an URI ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate and received the Association of the United States Army Leadership Award for his outstanding cadet leadership.

Throughout his over 30-year long career, Major General McBride thrived in the most demanding Operational and Command assignments. As a Senior Army Aviator, he served in numerous aviation command and leadership positions to include Team Leader and Platoon Leader, Aero Weapons Platoon, Troop D (Air), 1st Squadron, 26th Cavalry; Commander, Company A, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation (Attack); and Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation (Attack).

While serving in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he commanded two combat battalions; the 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation (Attack) and the 1/126th Aviation (Light Utility Helicopter). In addition, Major General McBride served as the Operations Officer and Commander of Aviation Division, Headquarters Rhode Island State Area Command.

Following battalion command, he attended the Naval War College, Newport, RI. As a Colonel, he commanded two Brigades, the 56th Troop Command (Airborne) and the 43rd Military Police Brigade, Rhode Island National Guard. From August 2005 to September 2006, COL McBride led the soldiers of the 43rd MP Brigade in combat while in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit’s operational mission was to provide joint command and control and to operate five different theater detention facilities with a 5,000-man joint and coalition forces, while maintaining a high standard of care and custody for over 14,000 detainees.

During this deployment, it was his mission to close the infamous Abu Ghraib detention facility. In addition, the brigade developed and ran the Iraqi Correctional Officer training facility. Over 1,500 Iraqi Correctional Officers were trained and coached to take over the detainee mission. The 43rd Military Police Brigade and all subordinate units were awarded the Meritorious Unit Award Commendation for exceptional performance with US detention operations in a complex joint and multinational environment in Iraq. Colonel McBride was awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge for his leadership and superb performance of duty in Iraq.

Brigadier General McBride was personally selected by the Commanding General, US Army North to serve as the Commander, US Army North, Contingency Command Post 1, Task Force 51, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The mission of this headquarters is homeland defense and civil relief. His vision and leadership were directly responsible for the enhanced operational readiness of this vital command and control mobile command post.

On 1 July 2011, Major General McBride was selected by Rhode Island Governor Chaffee to serve as the Adjutant General and Commanding General for the Rhode Island National Guard, Director of the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency, and the Homeland Security Advisor for the State of Rhode Island. The Adjutant General is the strategic leader of the State military forces. Major General McBride directs the establishment, operation, organization, and maintenance of the military forces of the state, which are comprised of the Rhode Island Army and Air National Guard, and the State Historic Militia.

The Adjutant General is responsible for mission readiness and training of Army and Air National Guard forces. Major General McBride’s primary focus is to ensure that Soldiers and Airmen are well equipped, well trained, and well lead to conduct their respective Federal and State missions, which includes war fighting and support to local agencies for domestic emergencies.

Major General McBride has spent his entire life serving his community and nation during peace and war. His exemplary devotion to duty, personal bravery and outstanding leadership is in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his family and the University of Rhode Island.

Major General Kevin G. McBride and his wife Colleen reside in Bristol, Rhode Island.