BISMARCK, N.D. — A more than 30-year veteran with what Gov. Jack Dalrymple describes as an "impressive resume of leadership" has taken command of the North Dakota National Guard.
Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann took the reins from Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk in a Sunday ceremony. Sprynczynatyk, 65, is retiring after more than four decades with the Guard, including nearly a decade as adjutant general.
"Maj. Gen. Dohrmann and I have worked together since the early 1990s, and I know he is highly qualified and has the training and experience needed to be successful as our adjutant general," Sprynczynatyk said.
Dohrmann, 55, is the state Guard's 21st adjutant general. He began his military service in 1983 when he accepted his officer commission upon graduating from Minnesota State University's Reserve Officers Training Program. In 1991 he joined the North Dakota National Guard and has since served in a number of roles. He was appointed deputy adjutant general in 2007. Two years later, he led a force of about 2,200 troops from seven countries as part of a yearlong peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.
Dalrymple in October named to him to succeed Sprynczynatyk.
"Maj. Gen. Dohrmann's impressive resume of leadership, strategic planning and policy development will serve him well as North Dakota's next adjutant general and will provide a strong foundation for leading our National Guard and Department of Emergency Services into a new era of service to our state and nation," Dalrymple said.
The governor presided over the change-of-command ceremony. U.S. Army Gen. Frank Grass, chief of the National Guard Bureau, administered the oath of office.
Dohrmann will oversee about 4,200 airmen and soldiers serving in the National Guard in North Dakota.
"We have a great team here in the North Dakota National Guard, and it's an honor to lead and continue to work with our outstanding soldiers, airmen and civilian employees," he said.
