Maj. Gen. Kelly retires from Guard, is honored
Union native John Trent Kelly, the Assistant Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard, was recently recognized by Gov. Tate Reeves, who hosted a retirement ceremony at the state Capitol.
Maj. Gen. Kelly began his military career in 1985 at the age of 19 when he enlisted in the Mississippi Army National Guard and was assigned to the 134th Engineer Company in Union following Basic Combat Training.
He was later sworn in as a cadet in the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Mississippi and commissioned as an Engineer Officer on May 14, 1988.
A career engineer officer, Kelly has commanded at the company, battalion, and brigade levels and held key staff roles in the MSNG. He retired serving as the Assistant Adjutant General for the MSNG Joint Force Headquarters in Jackson.
Throughout his service to our nation, which included two deployments to Iraq, Kelly has continuously proved his commitment to bettering the units and nation he serves.
In 1990, he mobilized for Desert Storm as an Engineer Second Lieutenant, and in 2005, he deployed as a Major to Iraq with the 155th Brigade as the Operations Officer for the 150th Engineer Battalion.
From 2009 to 2010, he deployed to Iraq as the Battalion Commander of Task Force Knight of the 155th Brigade Combat, and in 2012, he took command of the 168th Engineer Brigade headquartered in Vicksburg.
His military education includes the Engineer Officers Basic Course (1989), the Armor Advanced Course (1992), the Command and General Staff College (2004), and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College (2010).
His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, the Combat Action Badge, and various service, state, and campaign medals.
A native of Union, Kelly is the son of Barbara and John Kelly. He graduated from Union High School, East Central Community College, and the University of Mississippi, where he earned both his bachelor’s and juris doctor degrees.
In 2015, Kelly was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in Mississippi’s First Congressional District, where he continues to serve while completing a distinguished military career.
Maj. Gen. Kelly has been married to his wife Sheila Stephens Kelly for 34 years. They live in Saltillo and have three children: John Forrest, Morgan, and Jackson. They are members of the Saltillo Methodist Church.