Maine Army National Guard's William Dionne Promoted to Brigadier General

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AUGUSTA, ME (11/03/2024) (readMedia)-- The Maine Army National Guard is pleased to announce the promotion of William Dionne from the rank of Colonel to Brigadier General. Dionne received his new rank during a November 2 ceremony at Camp Chamberlain, the National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters in Augusta.

Brig. Gen. Diane Dunn, The Adjutant General, who oversees both components of the Maine National Guard – Air and Army – hosted the event to honor Dionne's achievements and acknowledge he is ready for even more responsibility.

"Will Dionne leads with complete passion for common sense and doing what is right for service members," said Dunn. "He recognizes that to be the best organization, it requires leaders who speak up and challenge the status quo. He is not afraid to speak the truth and has helped me learn many lessons over the last 20 plus years. His persistence and resilience are unmatched."

Dionne, a native of Amesbury, Massachusetts, has served in a multitude of capacities in the MEARNG since joining in 1989 while enrolled at the University of Maine. His robust resume includes time as a Platoon Leader in the Mountain Company (B Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment), instructor at the Officer Candidate School, Commander of the Mountain Company, and Commander of the 1136th Transportation Company – where he deployed with the unit to Iraq from April 2003 to April 2004.

He also deployed to Afghanistan in 2008 with the 286th Combat sustainment Support Battalion as the units' Operations Officer, before joining the 52nd Troop Command, where he was instrumental in establishing New England's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and high-yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP) – a unit comprised of soldiers and airmen from Maine, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.

In 2012, Dionne became commander of the 521st Troop Command, followed by a stint as the Operations Officer for the 52nd Troop Command until he was selected for a US Army War College fellowship. Upon returning from War College, he served as the Deputy Commander of the 52nd Troop Command prior to assuming command of the unit in 2019.

In September 2022, Dionne was assigned to his current full-time role as the Construction and Facilities Management Officer.

Dionne, in his thank you speech, used humor and humility to acknowledge all the people who helped him reach this point in his career.

"When you're in the guard, you really have three families. There's the one you're born with that turns you into who you are...there's the one that you choose when you get married...and then there's you all," said Dionne. "And you're really stuck with me now," he joked.

Dionne will assume duties as the MEARNG's Land Component Commander in December, when Brig. Gen. Dean Preston retires following over 34 years of service to Maine and the nation.

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Photo Captions:

7N7A1657: The Maine Army National Guard's Honor Guard marches offstage after posting the colors during Brig. Gen William Dionne's promotion ceremony at Camp Chamberlain in Augusta, Maine on Nov. 2, 2024.

7N7A1664: Brig. Gen. William Dionne's family bows their heads during the chaplain's invocation at Dionne's promotion ceremony at Camp Chamberlain in Augusta, Maine on Nov. 2, 2024.

7N7A1680: Brig. Gen. William Dionne's wife, Annmarie, and his children, Paxton and Sophie, remove his Col. Rank and replace it with his "one star" rank during his promotion ceremony at Camp Chamberlain in Augusta, Maine on Nov. 2, 2024.

7N7A1690: Brig. Gen. William Dionne stands at attention after reaffirming receiving his "one star" rank during a promotion ceremony at Camp Chamberlain in Augusta, Maine on Nov. 2, 2024.

7N7A1692: Brig. Gen. Diane Dunn, The Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard, re-administers Brig. Gen. Williame Dionne's oath of office during Dionne's promotion ceremony at Camp Chamberlain in Augusta, Maine on Nov. 2, 2024.

7N7A1712: The Maine Army National Guard's Command Sgt. Maj. Alex Clifford presents Brig. Gen. William Dionne with his "one star" flag during Dionne's promotion ceremony at Camp Chamberlain in Augusta, Maine on Nov. 2, 2024.