MAJOR GENERAL FRANCIS D. VAVALA
The Adjutant General, Delaware
Major General Frank Vavala assumed duties as the Adjutant General, Delaware, on February 1, 1999. As Adjutant General, he is responsible for the mission readiness of all Delaware National Guard units for both federal and state missions.
General Vavala's military service began in 1967 when he enlisted in the Delaware Army National Guard as a private. He was commissioned a signal officer after completing the Delaware Military Academy Officer Candidate School in 1970. Prior to this assignment, General Vavala served as Commander, 72nd Troop Command, Deputy Commander, State Area Command and most recently as Assistant Adjutant General-Army, Delaware National Guard where he was responsible for mission readiness of all Delaware Army National Guard units to support federal and state missions.
EDUCATION:
1984 Wilmington College, Bachelor of Science, Business Management, Wilmington, Delaware
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. June 1970 - February 1974, Communications Tactical Operations Center Platoon Leader, Company A, 198th Signal Battalion, Wilmington, Delaware
2. February 1974 - April 1978, Commander, Company C, 198th Signal Battalion, Wilmington, Delaware
3. May 1978 - September 1981, Executive Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 198th Signal Battalion, Wilmington, Delaware
4. October 1981 - October 1983, Operations Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Wilmington, Delaware
5. November 1983 - February 1986, Commander, 198th Signal Battalion, Wilmington, Delaware
6. February 1986 - March 1986, Communications Systems Engineer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 261st Signal Command, Dover, Delaware
7. April 1986 - July 1986, Wire Communications Technical Engineer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 261st Signal Command, Dover, Delaware
8. August 1986 - September 1987, Traffic Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 261st Signal Command, Dover, Delaware
9. September 1987 - December 1991, Commander, Troop Command, Wilmington, Delaware
10. January 1992 - January 1992, Chief of Staff, 261st Signal Command, Dover, Delaware
11. February 1992 - July 1992, Deputy Commander, State Area Command, Wilmington, Delaware
12. August 1992 - March 1993, Director of Plans, Operations, Training, and Military Support, State Area Command, Wilmington, Delaware
13. April 1993 - October 1995, Deputy Commander, State Area Command, Wilmington, Delaware
14. October 1995 - January 1999, Assistant Adjutant General-Army, Delaware National Guard, State Area Command, Wilmington, Delaware
15. February 1999 - Present, The Adjutant General, Delaware National Guard, Wilmington, Delaware
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Army Commendation Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster)
National Defense Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Service Stars)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Gold and Bronze Hourglass)
Army Service Ribbon
Delaware Conspicuous Service Cross
Delaware Medal for Military Merit (with numeral 5)
Delaware National Defense Service Ribbon (with numeral 2)
Delaware Medal for Service in Aid to Civil Authority (with numeral 6)
Delaware Recruiting Ribbon
Delaware Physical Fitness Ribbon (with numeral 5)
Delaware Unit Strength Award
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS:
National Guard Association of Delaware
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States
Association of the United States Army
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
1985 Saint Anthony of Padua Church Youth Activities Council, Man of the Year Award
1992 E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company, Chestnut Run Plaza Work/Life Award
2003 Secretary, Adjutants General Association of the United States
2005 Vice President Adjutants General Association of the United States
2005 Columbus Day Communion Breakfast Committee, Italian American of the Year
2007 President, Adjutants General Association of the United States
2010 Chairman, National Guard Association of the United States
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS:
Second Lieutenant 20 June 1970
First Lieutenant 19 June 1973
Captain 19 July 1975
Major 19 July 1979
Lieutenant Colonel 29 September 1983
Colonel 15 December 1987
Brigadier General 20 June 1995
Major General 31 March 2000
(Current as of April 2011)