Col. Michael D. Kjar is set to become the next top commander of the Utah National Guard after Gov. Spencer Cox named him adjutant general on Wednesday. Kjar will replace Maj. Gen. Daniel D. Boyack, who is slated to take a federal advisory post with U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command. A formal change-of-command ceremony is set for Aug. 3 at Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base in Salt Lake City, capping a run in which Guard leaders say Utah’s force grew sharply in both people and capabilities under Boyack.
According to ABC4 Utah, Cox publicly announced the pick and used the moment to praise Boyack, saying, “He has served Utah and our nation with honor.” The outlet reports that Boyack will serve as the National Guard advisor to the commander of U.S. Northern Command and NORAD.
Kjar's service record and education
Kjar has worn a uniform for more than two decades. He enlisted in the Wyoming Army National Guard in 1995 and received a direct commission as a field artillery officer in 2003. Over the years, he has held a string of command and staff posts, including recruiting and retention battalion commander, director of a commander’s action group, regional training institute commander and chief of staff for the Utah Army National Guard. He is a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom who deployed to Ramadi.
The Utah National Guard notes that Kjar earned a BA in communications from Southern Utah University, an MPA from Brigham Young University and completed a Master of Strategic Studies at the U.S. Army War College in 2024. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal.
What Boyack built
Boyack’s tenure is ending with a packed résumé. According to ABC4 Utah, he oversaw the creation of two cyber squadrons and the fielding of AH-64E Apache helicopters to bolster joint warfighting capabilities. The outlet also reports that personnel strength climbed on his watch, with Air National Guard end-strength rising from roughly 94% to 106% and Army National Guard numbers moving from about 95% to 105%.
Change of command and next steps
The gubernatorial transfer of authority is set to be made official at the Aug. 3 ceremony at Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, whose address and event details are listed by the Utah National Guard. During the handoff, both leaders are expected to keep their attention on readiness, recruiting and the Guard’s expanding role in homeland defense and international partnerships.
State officials are casting Kjar’s promotion as a steady-hand transition for a force they say has grown in capability and readiness, while Boyack’s move into a federal advisory role could give Utah added visibility in broader homeland defense planning. The Aug. 3 ceremony will lock in the leadership change and give the public its first look at Kjar in command.
