SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. - Aug. 3, Maj. Gen. Michael Dubie stepped down as Vermont as the adjutant general to serve as deputy commander of the United States Northern Command in Colorado. His successor, Gen Thomas Drew, took command of Vermont’s Army and Air Guards consisting of nearly 4,000 service members.

Dubie has led a distinguished career in the Vermont Air Guard since 1981, but he is most well-known for being the commander of the largest deployment Vermont has seen since World War II and for his proactive response to Tropical Storm Irene.

Drew, who has worked with Dubie for the past six years, spoke at a luncheon in Dubie’s honor, saying that the former adjutant general is leaving a legacy of strong integrity and honor. Although Drew acknowledges there will be changes, he said he will continue in the footsteps of his predecessor.

To Dubie, he said, “What you have accomplished and you are as a person will never be forgotten.”

Drew said what he has learned from Dubie is to make each person he works with feel special and part of a team. He said that how a command performs is directly related to the actions of its commander.

“If the commander is positive, enthusiastic regardless of what the mission is or how difficult the tasks are, that commander will be able to look you in the eye and make you feel good about what you are doing. When he shows he has confidence in you, you will be successful.”

In conclusion, Drew said of Dubie, “He was the best man I’ve ever worked for and the finest officer in the United States military.

Dubie spoke only briefly at the luncheon, but had a few things to say in turn about the new adjutant general. He said his heart is with the Vermont Guard, “But part of the reason I can say I’m done and walk out the door feeling good is because of Tom Drew.”

On Aug. 14, Dubie was promoted to lieutenant general and is expected to assume duties at NORTHCOM, Aug. 27. “I want to be a deputy at NORTHCOM as good as a deputy [General Drew was] to me,” Dubie said.

Connected Media