Brig Gen Jon M. Taylor serves as the Director of Joint Staff, Alabama National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, Montgomery, Alabama. He is the state’s senior federal full-time National Guard management official and primary advisor to The Adjutant General. As the lead officer on joint staff priorities, he oversees the joint staff and synchronizes leadership of the state’s Air National Guard, Army National Guard, Deputy Director of the State Military Department, United States Property and Fiscal Officer, and outside agencies to facilitate the requirements of the Alabama National Guard. Brig Gen Taylor oversees and manages a variety of joint staff programs and policies pertaining to the command, control, operation, and management of the joint functions at state headquarters level, in addition to Service specific functions designated by The Adjutant General for over 12,500 National Guardsmen.
General Taylor graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, Alabama in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He later earned a Master of Military Art and Science degree in 2010 from Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
General Taylor enlisted in the Alabama Air National Guard in 1986 and was commissioned in 1999 as a distinguished graduate of the Academy of Military Science, Knoxville, Tennessee. During his enlisted career, he served in various assignments in the 117th Mission Support Group and the 117th Air Refueling Wing. He has deployed to the United Arab Emirates, England, Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, and Guam in direct support of Operations DESERT SHIELD, JOINT FORGE, ALLIED FORCE, and ENDURING FREEDOM.
EDUCATION
1992– Bachelor of Arts Degree, University of Alabama at Birmingham
1992– Associate Degree in Personnel Administration, Community College of the Air Force
1994– Associate Degree in Business Management, Jefferson State Community College
1997– Associate Degree in Information Management, Community College of the Air Force
1999– Academy of Military Science, Knoxville, Tenn.
2006– Squadron Officer School
2010– Air Command and Staff College
2010– Master of Arts Degree, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2014– Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
2014– Air War College
ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. July 1986 - April 1995, Personnel Specialist, 117th Mission Support Flight, Birmingham, AL
2. April 1995 - April 1997, Information Manager, 117th Air Refueling Wing, Birmingham, AL
3. May 1997 - August 1997, Special Assistant to the ANG Command Chief Master Sergeant, Washington, D.C.
4. September 1997 - August 1999, Quality Manager, 117th Air Refueling Wing, Birmingham, AL
5. August 1999 - September 2001, Executive Officer, 117th Mission Support Group, Birmingham, AL
6. September 2001 - December 2009, Commander, 117th Communications Flight, Birmingham, AL
7. April 2009 - September 2009, Executive Officer, 745th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL
8. January 2010 - November 2015, Deputy Commander, 117th Mission Support Group, Birmingham, AL
9. December 2015 - February 2019, Commander, 117th Intelligence Squadron, Birmingham, AL
10. March 2019 - January 2025, Director of Staff, Alabama Air National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, Montgomery, AL
11. February 2025 - September 2025, Assistant Adjutant General-Air, Alabama Air National Guard, JFHQ, Montgomery, AL
12. September 2025 - Present, Director of Joint Staff, Alabama National Guard, JFHQ, Montgomery, AL
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze star
Kosovo Campaign Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal with bronze star
Air and Space Campaign Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Longevity Service Award with six oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 3 “M” Devices and oak leaf cluster
USAF Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle)
Air Force Training Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
Kuwait Liberation Medal
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Distinguished Service Medal of Alabama with oak leaf cluster
Alabama Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Veterans Service Medal of Alabama
Alabama Special Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Alabama Desert Shield/Storm Medal with bronze star
Alabama National Emergency Service Medal with 9-11 tab
Alabama Honor Guard Service Ribbon
Alabama State Military Department Recruiting Lead Generation Ribbon
Alabama Faithful Service Ribbon with seven devices
Alabama Active Duty Basic Training Medal with oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1992 Distinguished Graduate, Military Achievement and Academic Achievement Awards, NCO Leadership School
1996 John Levitow Honor Graduate and Dr. Ruth Stevens Academic Achievement Awards, NCO Academy
1999 Distinguished Graduate and Air Force Association Academic Achievement Award, Academy of Military Science
2003 Alabama Air National Guard Company Grade Officer of the Year
2007 Alabama Air National Guard Company Grade Officer of the Year
2007 National Guard Association of the United States National Company Grade Officer of the Year
2010 Graduated with Highest Academic Distinction from Air University Graduate Degree Program
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
National Guard Association of the United States
National Guard Association of Alabama
Air Force Association
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class– July 22, 1986
Senior Airman– December 10, 1987
Sergeant– December 11, 1988
Staff Sergeant– December 11, 1989
Technical Sergeant– May 30, 1995
Master Sergeant– June 18, 1997
Second Lieutenant– August 20, 1999
First Lieutenant– August 20, 2003
Captain– August 20, 2003
Major– September 4, 2007
Lieutenant Colonel– April 11, 2012
Colonel– November 21, 2019
Brigadier General– 30 January 2025