Brigadier General Craig D. Johnson is the new assistant adjutant general for the South Dakota Army National Guard.
A Transfer of Authority ceremony took place between Johnson and the outgoing assistant adjutant general, Brigadier General Jeffrey P. Marlette, at the Joint Force Headquarters at Camp Rapid in Rapid City, SD, on Oct. 13.
As the assistant adjutant general, Johnson is responsible to the South Dakota National Guard’s adjutant general, Major General Tim Reisch, for strategic planning, strength management, troop readiness and mobilization support of the state’s nearly 3,300 Army National Guard Soldiers.
Johnson, of Rapid City, replaces Marlette, who served in the position since April of 2011. Marlette, of New Underwood, SD, will retire from the Guard after 32 years of service to the state and nation.
“I want to thank Brigadier General Marlette for his exemplary service and the great job he did serving as the assistant adjutant general. He is truly an outstanding leader, tremendous manager and fearless advisor,” Reisch said during the ceremony. “I have great trust and confidence in our new assistant adjutant general, and I wish General Johnson the very best in this new position.”
“Thank you, General Reisch, for this opportunity to work with you in this position. It has been an absolute pleasure,” said Marlette. “It has been an honor to be a member of this organization and a greater honor to work with all the great Soldiers of the South Dakota Army National Guard. I wish General Johnson the best of luck, and I know you are all in good hands.”
During the ceremony, Johnson was promoted from the rank of colonel to brigadier general.
“Serving one’s country is a noble calling, and I believe among life’s greatest work. Therefore, this promotion is a new beginning, a rebirth of my commitment to work and serve my country with a renewed spirit,” said Johnson. “I look forward to the responsibility of my continued service in this great organization.”
Johnson began his military service by enlisting in his hometown Guard unit in Platte, SD, in 1976. He received his commission through the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA, in 1977. Johnson’s command assignments include serving as the commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 12th Engineer Battalion, 8th Infantry Division, in Dexheim, Germany, and as the battalion commander of the 109th Engineer Battalion. Johnson is a combat Veteran, having led the 109th in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from January through August of 2003.
Johnson began his full-time career with the South Dakota Army National Guard as the training technician for the 137th Engineer Battalion, where he also served as the administrative officer. He then went on to serve as the state's equal employment manager and an administrative officer for the 109th Engineer Battalion. Upon his return from Operation Iraqi Freedom, Johnson was assigned as the deputy chief of staff for information management. He later attended the United States Army War College, and upon his return, was reassigned as the deputy chief of staff for information management. Johnson was appointed as the U.S. property and fiscal officer for South Dakota in March of 2008, where he served until Sept. 30, 2012.
“My successful career isn’t really about my success; it is more about the hardworking and dedicated noncommissioned officers, warrant officers and officers that have made up the great National Guard units that I have served in during my career,” said Johnson. “These are the individuals that were dedicated to making National Guard units and their members successful in all missions.”
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