In this new episode of Commanders Briefing, we sit down with Brigadier General (MD) Gregory J. Juday, Commanding General of the Maryland Defense Force. A Distinguished ROTC graduate, General Juday spent 26 years on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, serving as system architect for MILSATCOM terminals and AWACS, program manager for AMRAAM advanced projects, Director of Advanced Concepts at the Missile Defense Agency, and later as Program Executive Officer for the Defense Commissary Agency. After joining the Maryland Defense Force in 2014—where he commanded the 121st Engineer Regiment—he was appointed Commanding General on April 1, 2020. In civilian life, he serves as an Advanced Engineer and Senior Advisor at JRC Integrated Systems.
In this interview, General Juday traces his path from Air Force officer to leading The Maryland Defense Force and breaks down the meaningful missions they are performing throughout the state of Maryland today. Listeners will hear how MDDF engineers teach a for-credit infrastructure course at the University of Maryland and conduct FEMA-aligned armory inspections known as Installation Status Reviews (ISR); how the 10th Medical Regiment partners with the state’s Medical Reserve Corps for community health screenings, CPR/first-aid training, and surge support; and how MDDF’s cyber team delivers cyber technical specialities that helps harden critical state infrastructure and manage unclassified information during emergencies. He shares the story behind preserving the “Arsenal of Democracy” mural, updates on recruiting, benefits (from workers’ comp on duty to Maryland’s tax subtraction for qualifying service and paid State Active Duty when activated), and his reflections on commanding an elite group of citizen soldier—why appreciation and respect are the real currency. We also explore EMAC interoperability, what happens if the National Guard deploys overseas, and the role The Maryland Defense Force will play is such a scenario.
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