Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Now retired Adjutant General Rich Neely says it was time to get off the stage.

“Knowing where the command’s at, knowing where the leadership team is at,” Neely said in an interview before this past weekend’s change of command ceremony. “For me, it was the right time to make that call. We have an understanding in the military not for senior leaders to stay too long. Five years is enough, and having Gen. (Rodney) Boyd in position (as assistant) for a period of time, it’s the right time for him to step in.”

The change of command ceremony over the weekend installed Boyd as the new adjutant general.