Illinois Air National Guard Lt. Col. William Miller, Director of Staff – Air, was promoted to Colonel in a ceremony March 8 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois.
Miller, who has spent most of his 33 year career in the Missouri National Guard, assumed duties as the Director of Staff – Air at Joint Force Headquarters, Illinois National Guard, in January.
“I was seeking out positions of greater responsibility,” Miller said. “I started looking at other opportunities in neighboring states and applied for, and was selected, for this position.”
As the Director of Staff – Air, Miller oversees the daily operations of the headquarters staff and directs his staff members in strategic planning, policy, personnel services, logistics, recruiting and retention, facilities, security and force protection, homeland security and homeland defense.
Miller enlisted in the Missouri Air National Guard as an avionics technician, serving as a Flight Control Equipment Repairman with the 131st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Lambert Air National Guard Base, Missouri.
In September 2003, Miller was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant at the Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee. He has served in multiple leadership positions including Commander of the 131st Force Support Squadron.
“My dad served in Korea as an infantryman,” Miller said. “I was born and raised in the St. Louis area and wanted to stay close to home. I chose to serve in the Air National Guard because I wanted to help my community through my military service.”
Miller said the most meaningful part about serving in the Air National Guard is the ability to help Airmen accomplish the mission of defending our nation.
“It is very gratifying to help our Airmen accomplish their mission of defending our nation by removing obstacles from their paths so they are able to do that effectively and efficiently,” Miller said.
“Bill has a wealth of functional experience and knowledge, which will serve the staff and Illinois Air National Guard well,” Brig. Gen. Peter Nezamis, Assistant Adjutant General – Air, and Commander, Illinois Air National Guard, said of Miller’s promotion.
During the ceremony, Miller thanked his family for their support throughout his military career.
“Without my family, none of this would be possible,” he said. “I’m extremely grateful for their support over the years. My family is a typical National Guard family – they also rise up and answer the call when needed and I’m grateful for all they’ve sacrificed.”
Miller has deployed multiple times throughout his military career, including Operations Provide Comfort and Northern Watch as well as Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.
Miller has a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and a Masters of Military Operational Art and Science from the Air University. He has attended a variety of professional military education courses, including the Non-Commissioned Officers Preparatory Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Squadron Officers School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, and Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
Included among Miller’s many military awards and decorations are the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal.
“Bill is an excellent officer and will do great things in the Illinois Air National Guard,” said Brig. Gen. Rich Neely, The Adjutant General and Commander of the Illinois National Guard. “He has earned the promotion to Colonel.”