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Governor appoints new Utah National Guard commander after investigation of former adjutant general

Air Force Brig. Gen. Daniel Boyack will command the Utah Guard after the U.S. Army concludes an investigation into his predecessor with a ‘substantiated finding.’

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Utah National Guard Salute Battery fire a 21 gun salute on the lawn of the Utah Capitol during a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 30, 2022.

  | Aug. 21, 2023, 9:09 p.m.
| Updated: 9:37 p.m.

Gov. Spencer Cox announced Monday that Air Force Brig. Gen. Daniel Boyack is the new commander of the Utah National Guard.

The adjutant general appointment comes just days after the Cox administration placed the now-former commander, Army Maj. Gen. Micheal Turley, on paid administrative leave following an investigation into the general’s actions by the Department of the Army Inspector General.

A spokesperson for the Army told The Salt Lake Tribune on Friday that it concluded its investigation into allegations against Turley with a “substantiated finding.” According to a Monday statement from Cox’s office, Turley decided to retire from the U.S. Army and step down as adjutant general.

“Brig. Gen. Boyack is a fine example of military training, discipline and leadership, and I’m grateful for his willingness to take on this new responsibility. I have every confidence that he will serve Utahns and his fellow Guardsmen and women admirably,” Cox said. “We appreciate Gen. Turley’s many years of service to our state and nation, and wish him well.”

(Photo provided by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox's office.) A photo of Air Force Brig. Gen. Daniel Boyack, who was appointed the new adjutant general of the Utah National Guard on Aug. 21, 2023.

USA Today reported last week that Turley had an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate, citing sources familiar with the military investigation.

Sexual harassment and assault is an ongoing issue within the military. According to the Defense Department’s most recent annual report on the matter, it received 8,942 reports of sexual assault involving service members in fiscal 2022.

Boyack, who also is a pilot with a major airline, began his career with the Utah Air National Guard in 1994, and currently is the commander and assistant adjutant general for the Utah Air National Guard, according to the news release.