Culver appoints Orr as guard's 28th adjutant general

The Iowa National Guard's next adjutant general says he will continue the efforts of a 1961 Spencer graduate who is about to retire from the position.

Gov. Chet Culver on Friday announced the selection of Col. Timothy E. Orr as the next adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard. Orr will become the 28th leader of the Iowa National Guard. The first adjutant general was appointed in 1839.

The 47-year-old will succeed Maj. Gen. Ron Dardis, who grew up in the Spencer-Ruthven area. Orr currently serves as the Chief of Staff of the Iowa Army National Guard and will begin the transition to adjutant general in January 2009.

During the transition to Adjutant General, Orr will be promoted to the rank of brigadier general. Culver anticipates the transition and a formal change of command ceremony will be completed by the end of April 2009.

The adjutant general 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.

Dardis will continue in his role as Chairman of the Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission. He also plans to devote more time to his family and the outdoors following the transition.

"Historically, Iowa has been blessed with an unparalleled commitment to military service and has produced a wealth of military leaders," Culver said in a statement announcing the appointment. "Colonel Orr, a native Iowan, has served our state and nation for more than 29 years. He has successfully commanded at the company, battalion, and brigade level, has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has been instrumental in the planning, staffing, and execution of emergency response for disasters in Iowa. His understanding of, responsiveness to, and empathy for Iowa National Guard families, especially under the most trying of circumstances, is second to none. I know Colonel Orr will continue to serve Iowans and Americans with distinction and honor."

Orr said he was honored by the appointment.

"I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Governor Culver for placing his confidence and trust in me," he said in a statement through the governor's office. "I look forward to serving the governor and making a difference for the men and women of the Iowa National Guard, the Iowa Department of Public Defense, and the citizens of Iowa. I will continue the efforts of Major General Dardis, adjutant general and those who have served before me in ensuring the Iowa National Guard and the Iowa Department of Public Defense continue their legacies as premier organizations in the defense of our state and nation."

Orr has served as the Iowa Army National Guard's Chief of Staff since Oct. 1, 2007. Prior to that assignment, he commanded the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Iowa Army National Guard from October 2004 to October 2007.

He was born in Winterset and raised in Earlham and Boone. After attending Infantry School at Fort Benning, Ga., his first assignment was as a heavy anti-armor gunner with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 34th Brigade. He received his officer's commission through the U.S. Army's Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning on Aug. 20, 1985.

Orr's military awards include: the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (with five oak leaf clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (with two oak leaf clusters), Army Achievement Medal, Ranger Tab, Pathfinder Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Canadian Airborne Badge.

Orr is married to Lt. Col. (ret.) Suzanne Orr and they have two children: son, Jacob, and daughter, Elizabeth. They reside in Johnston.