Watson named next adjutant general of Guam Army National Guard; Cruz remains in command

A letter from Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero indicating her intent to appoint retired U.S. Army colonel Karin L. Watson as the next adjutant general of the Guam National Guard was not publicly provided but has surfaced. Adelup has confirmed that the current adjutant general is, brigadier general Dr. Michael Cruz, and remains in command.

An Oct. 13. letter, signed by Leon Guerrero and addressed to Watson, stated that “pursuant to my authority under the Organic Act of Guam, 10 GCA § 63201, and all other applicable laws, I am appointing you to serve as the adjutant general for the Guam National Guard and the director of the Department of Military Affairs.” The letter further directed the Guam National Guard “to facilitate the execution of this appointment effective October 27, 2025.”

However, a memorandum directed to Cruz and issued Oct. 29, by the governor’s chief of staff, Jon Junior Calvo, clarified that the correspondence “was intended as an appointment letter specifying an effective date of Oct. 27," but “does not constitute the entirety of the appointment packet.”

Calvo wrote that “there are statutory and procedural requirements that must be completed before the appointment can take effect,” including a formal letter to the speaker of the Guam legislature as part of the confirmation process.

“For the time being,” Calvo wrote, “there is no change in your official status as the adjutant general of Guam and director of Military Affairs. Accordingly, all operational matters shall remain status quo until further notice.”

Krystal Paco-San Agustin, director of communications for the office of the governor, confirmed the letter’s authenticity. “At this time, the adjutant general is still Michael Cruz,” she said. “This letter was provided in anticipation of the change in leadership.”

She said, “This letter was addressed and sent to Ms. Watson. It was not retracted.”

Capt. Mark Scott, public information officer for the Guam Army National Guard said, "[Cruz] has previously submitted his intent to retire to the governor in September 2026.”

Watson held several positions within the U.S. Army, including garrison commander at Fort Lee in Virginia from 2020 to 2022. mbj