Dardis plans recovery before retirement

Maj. Gen. Ron Dardis

Maj. Gen. Ron Dardis isn't exactly easing into retirement.

Thank the governor for part of that: Following the floods of 2008, Gov. Chet Culver appointed Dardis to serve as the Chairman of the Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission.

"General Dardis was one of the first people I turned to in order to lead our efforts to rebuild Iowa after this year's historic storms, and we are all fortunate that he will continue to serve in this important role for our state," Culver said.

The outgoing Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard spent much of the past week working on a 120-day report that will be used by lawmakers as they develop flood recovery efforts during the new session in January. A 45-day report that outlined immediate needs after this year's floods and tornadoes was delivered earlier this year.

Some commission members said the long-term report will be used to help the state avoid future disasters. Part of the commission's work, members told the Associated Press, is getting lawmakers to invest in long-term solutions even though the immediate disaster has passed.

In his other job, Dardis is responsible for making sure 104 Army and Air National Guard Units and over 9,600 Army and Air National Guard members are ready for mobilization.

"There will be a transition period here with new leadership," Dardis said. "The governor is in the process of making that selection now. There will be a certain transition period that we'll go through. We're changing some other leadership in the Iowa Guard, so I'm not exactly sure what that time line will be, but after the transition period is complete, we'll have an official military change of command and that will be the last thing for me in the Iowa Guard."

Other than that, Dardis says, "I have no special plans."

The 65-year-old said his days at Spencer High School had a direct impact on his career path. He was born and raised in the Spencer-Ruthven area and graduated from Spencer in 1961. The talented athlete played basketball and football for the Tigers. He still draws from the core value of teamwork.

"When the coaches tell you to try to be the best you can be and to work together as a team -- all of those things -- you don't realize it then, but they become very, very important to you later in life," Dardis said. "They become values that you live by."

His military service spans five generations and the Adjunct General sees a common thread among the young Iowans who serve their country.

"It's been rewarding to serve in the times that I have served," he said. "I think probably, maybe as rewarding as anything is to be able to serve with the young men and women who are in the Iowa Guard today. They and their families are serving and sacrificing in extraordinary ways. They are great young Americans and we're forever grateful for their service and sacrifice."

Culver commended General Dardis for his extraordinary leadership of the Iowa National Guard, including the training, mobilizing and deployment of more than 12,000 Soldiers and Airmen for active duty in support of the global war on terror. The Iowa National Guard maintained 100 percent strength during the Guard's highest operational period since the Civil War.

"Hero can be an overused word, but it is an understatement in describing the service of General Dardis to the people of Iowa," Culver said on Oct. 28. "His calm under pressure and his wealth of experience have served our state and nation well for many years. I join with all Iowans in expressing my sincere appreciation and gratitude for General Dardis' dedication and commitment."

After the transition, Dardis said his focus will shift to another group of citizens who served their county.

"Obviously in the military with all the requirements that you have, it seems like your family serves, too," he said. "They sacrifice and you don't get to spend the time that you'd like to. This will be an opportunity for me to spend more time with my family -- and I enjoy outdoor activities, too."

The general began his military career by enlisting in the Iowa Air National Guard in March 1966. He received a direct commission as a Second Lieutenant in May 1967 and went on to complete undergraduate pilot training. He is a command pilot with more than 3,600 flying hours in the F-100, A-7, and F-16.

His mother, Zerena Dardis still lives on East Ninth Street in Spencer, where she can often be found gardening.