Director Joint Staff

Brigadier General Marlena A. DeCelle currently serves as the Director of the Joint Staff for the California National Guard. From 2023 to 2025, she held the position of Deputy Commanding General – Support for the 40th Infantry Division and served as the Joint Force Land Component Commander for the California Army National Guard.

In 2023, during the 40th Infantry Division’s deployment to the CENTCOM theater, she served as the Deputy Commanding General – Support for Task Force Spartan. Prior to joining the Sunburst Division, she simultaneously served as the Commander of the 49th Military Police Brigade and Homeland Response Force (HRF) Commander, California Army National Guard, as well as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G1, for the California Army National Guard in Sacramento, California.

Earlier in her career, she held positions as Deputy Commander of the 49th Military Police Brigade and Commander of the Recruiting and Retention Battalion. Her assignments also include roles as Commander of the 49th Human Resources Company, Executive Officer of the Personnel Services Battalion, and Brigade S-1 for the 100th Troop Command.

Before joining the California Army National Guard, Brigadier General DeCelle served in leadership roles in the United States Army, including positions with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY, and the 13th Corps Support Command, Fort Cavazos, TX.

Her civilian and military education includes a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College; a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Murray State University, KY; and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology-Law & Society from the University of California, Davis. She also completed numerous military courses, including the Command and General Staff College, Adjutant General Corps Captain Career Course, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Course, and the Homeland Response Force Course.

Brigadier General DeCelle’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (with six Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Achievement Medal, the National Guard Basic Recruiting Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.

She is married to Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Ken DeCelle, and they reside in Vacaville, California, with their four children. Brigadier General DeCelle comes from a family with a strong military tradition. Her father, Michael, is a Navy veteran, and her brothers, Matthew and Michael, both serve as lieutenant colonels in the Army.