FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. –
February 1986: Ronald Regan was president, Pretty in Pink was released in theaters, “How Will I Know?” by Whitney Houston was the No. 1 song, and Laura McHugh enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
Thirty-nine and a half years later, McHugh, now a major general and deputy adjutant general – Army for the Pennsylvania National Guard, is getting set to retire.
McHugh said when she enlisted, she never imagined she would stay in the military as long as she has or attain the rank of major general.
“I figured I’d pay for college and get out, and here I am 39 years later,” she said. “I definitely didn’t think I’d stay this long.”
McHugh's last day as DAG-Army was Sept. 30, and she will officially retire on Oct. 31. Retiring is bittersweet, said McHugh, who has served as DAG-Army since April 2021.
“It’s all I’ve ever done, so it’s all I’ve ever known,” McHugh said. “It’s sweet in that it’s a new chapter and new exciting adventures. A whole new world is really what I’m looking forward to. I will enjoy having every weekend back. Although I’m retiring, so every day will be a weekend.”
Pennsylvania Adjutant General Maj. Gen. John Pippy lauded McHugh as she gets set to move on from the military.
“General McHugh is one of the finest Soldiers I’ve ever had the privilege of serving with,” Pippy said. “Not only is she a great Soldier, she’s also a great person. She always puts the needs of others above her own and takes the time to get to know everyone she works with. She has done so much for the Pennsylvania National Guard during her time in uniform, and she will be greatly missed.”
A native of Pottsville, Pa., McHugh enlisted in the National Guard as a supply specialist. She was commissioned in 1991 through the ROTC program at Scranton University, which she attended while attending college at nearby King’s College, which doesn’t have an ROTC program.
Throughout her career, McHugh has held numerous command and staff positions, including commander of the 213th Regional Support Group, commander of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Command and commander of the 131st Transportation Company. Prior to assuming her role as DAG-Army, McHugh served as PAARNG chief of staff.
McHugh said her deployment to Iraq with the 131st Transportation Co. is one of the most memorable parts of her career.
“That was an amazing experience and the one position that really gave me a good foundation,” she said. “There were a lot of really strong NCOs. Some of those E4s back then who were my truck drivers, one’s a sergeant major in the Transportation Battalion, another one is a sergeant major in the 328th (Brigade Support Battalion), and one of my E4 truck drivers is waiting to get pinned CW5. So that unit had a lot of really good people in it, and it’s my most memorable assignment.”
McHugh joined Maj. Gen. Jessica Wright and Brig. Gen. Carol Eggert as the only female Pennsylvania National Guard members to be promoted to general while in uniform. She said she’s hopeful that there’s another one behind her soon.
“It’s tough, though,” McHugh said. “It’s not that we haven’t encouraged and pushed females along, but I absolutely believe that we got to pick the best people for the jobs. We can’t pick people based on their gender or their ethnicity. My son is in the Guard, and I want his leaders to be the best leaders. I want the best person for the job.”
In retirement, McHugh said she plans to travel and spend time with her family, in particular, her two grandchildren.
“I can tell you what I don’t plan on doing: I don’t plan on working,” she said. “Nothing I do going forward will be considered work. It’ll be considered fun, worthwhile or purpose-filled.”