On a sodden afternoon in the late 1980s, a group of University of Connecticut ROTC cadets huddled under a poncho, their carefully written operation plans dissolving in the downpour.
One cadet, Jerry Lukowski, spread the waterproof sheet wide over the others, shielding them as the rain hammered down. The pages were ruined, but the mission carried on—simplified, memorized, executed together.
Among them was Francis J. “Fran” Evon, Jr., a young anti-tank gunner-turned-cadet who didn’t yet know that moment would be the blueprint for his career: when the weather turns, you pull people closer, and you keep moving forward as a team.
Thirty-five years later, MG Fran Evon carries that same principle into a much larger tent. This June, he was elected Chair of the Adjutants General Association of the United States (AGAUS), representing the senior military leaders of all 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia. In that role, he will be the National Guard’s chief advocate in Washington—arguing for resources, shaping policy, and defending the Guard’s unique role as both a state and federal force.
From Naugatuck to the National Stage
MG Evon’s path to the top of the Guard’s national leadership began in Naugatuck, Connecticut, in 1985, when he joined the Guard largely for tuition assistance. His father, a Vietnam veteran, rarely spoke about his service, but instilled in his children a deep sense of patriotism.
At UConn, ROTC offered discipline, challenge, and a sense of belonging. Evon commissioned in 1989 and steadily rose through the ranks, leading soldiers in Afghanistan as a battalion commander, serving as Assistant Adjutant General, and eventually becoming Connecticut’s Adjutant General in 2018.
He has the résumé of a seasoned officer—Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge—but also the instincts of a community builder. Ask him what drives him, and he’ll tell you about walking the halls of the State Armory to check if a nervous young man who took the ASVAB has officially joined the Guard. “I have his name on a sticky note,” MG Evon says. “Every day I look for it.”
Why This Role Matters Now
The National Guard of 2025 faces a crowded mission set. In any given month, Guard units might be battling wildfires in the West, responding to hurricanes in the South, supporting cyber defense efforts, or deploying overseas. Recruiting and retention are under pressure. Budgets are tight.
As Chair of AGAUS, MG Evon will be at the center of these challenges—pressing lawmakers for modern equipment, pushing for competitive benefits to attract young talent, and ensuring that states maintain the authority to respond swiftly to emergencies.
It’s not just about policy memos and budget lines. Decisions made in Washington will affect whether a helicopter crew in Connecticut gets upgraded avionics, whether cyber teams in Maryland get cutting-edge training, and whether Guardsmen in Alaska can respond faster to wildfires.
What It Means for Connecticut
For the Connecticut National Guard Association (NGACT) and the state’s soldiers and airmen, MG Evon’s election offers tangible advantages. His voice in the nation’s capital could mean more federal funding for training and infrastructure, early access to pilot programs in emerging mission areas, and stronger protections for benefits.
MG Evon has already made growing the Connecticut Guard a priority—appealing to Gen Z’s desire for purpose and belonging, creating pathways to citizenship, and ensuring diversity in the ranks mirrors the state’s population. His new role amplifies those efforts with national reach.
Leading Through “Selfless Service”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, MG Evon’s leadership helped mobilize the Connecticut Guard to set up testing sites, deliver medical supplies, and even build overflow hospital units in parking lots. Those efforts, he says, are emblematic of what makes the Guard unique: citizen-soldiers serving their neighbors, without fanfare, in moments of need.
That ethos—what he calls “selfless service”—has been his compass for nearly 40 years. It’s why he sees his job not as a political appointment, but as a trust between himself and every Guard member who has raised their right hand.
Back Under the Poncho
When asked about the weight of his new role, MG Evon circles back to that rain-soaked field exercise at UConn. “We didn’t quit. We adapted. We worked together,” he says. “That’s the Guard. That’s who we are.”
Now, as he steps onto the national stage, the tent is bigger, the stakes higher. But the principle remains the same: pull people closer, keep moving forward, and never let the mission wash away.
SIDEBAR: At a Glance – MG Fran Evon and AGAUS
WHAT IS AGAUS? The Adjutants General Association of the United States represents the senior military leaders of all 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia.
- Mission: Advocate for the National Guard’s dual state–federal role.
- Work: Influence legislation, secure funding, guide modernization efforts, and coordinate national Guard policy.
- Reach: Impacts over 440,000 soldiers and airmen nationwide
WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS NOW
- Rising Demand: Wildfires, hurricanes, cyber threats, overseas deployments.
- Tight Resources: Recruiting challenges and budget pressures.
- National Influence: The Chair’s voice directly shapes Guard readiness and the resources states receive.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Years of Service: 40 (as of Aug. 2025)
- States/Territories Represented by AGAUS: 54
- Size of the National Guard: 440,000+ soldiers and airmen
- Connecticut Guard Strength: ~5,000 members
MG FRAN EVON’S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Service Start: Enlisted in Connecticut Army National Guard in 1985.
- UConn ROTC: Commissioned in 1989.
- Combat Command: Led 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry in Afghanistan (2009–2010).
- Current Role: Adjutant General of Connecticut since 2018.
- Awards: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and numerous state and federal decorations.
DID YOU KNOW?
- MG Evon met his wife, Laura, while both were students at UConn.
- He once promised to retire after 20 years—then 9/11 changed his course.
- He keeps a recruit’s name on a sticky note until they officially join the Guard.
TIMELINE
1985 – Enlists in CT Army National Guard
1989 – Commissioned via UConn ROTC
2009–2010 – Afghanistan deployment, battalion commander
2018 – Named Adjutant General of Connecticut
2025 – Elected Chair of AGAUS
WHAT IT MEANS FOR CONNECTICUT
- Stronger Voice in Washington: Direct influence on federal funding and policy.
- Early Access to Innovations: Pilot programs in cyber defense, disaster response, and modernization.
- Recruiting Momentum: National platform to promote service opportunities for Gen Z and beyond.
WHAT’S NEXT?
- AGAUS budget advocacy in the upcoming federal cycle.
- Expanding modernization initiatives for cyber, aviation, and disaster response capabilities.
–Bill Palifka, Executive Director