BRIGADIER GENERAL MANUEL ORTIZ, JR.

Assistant Adjutant General - Army, Texas National Guard

Brigadier General Manuel Ortiz, Jr. is Assistant Adjutant General - Army, Texas National Guard, he is also dual-hatted as the Deputy Commanding General, United States Army South, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. As Deputy Commanding General, he serves as senior officer of the main command post when the operational command post is deployed and insures that normal operations continue without interruptions. General Ortiz serves as acting commander in the absence of the Commanding General for all operations and represents him and United States Army South at Senior Executive Level meetings, conferences, briefings, ceremonies and other activities as required. Also serves as Director of United States Army South exercises as required.

General Ortiz was commissioned in June 1980 through the Texas Army National Guard Officer Candidate School. Prior to receiving his commission, he served as an enlisted member on active duty for four years and later enlisted in Company A (-), 2nd 142nd Infantry Battalion, 49th Armored Division, Texas Army National Guard.

EDUCATION:

1979 Texas Tech University, Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineer, Lubbock, Texas
2000 Midwestern State University, Master of Public Administration, Wichita Falls, Texas
2003 U.S. Army War College, Master of Science, Strategic Studies, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania
2003 United States Army War College, by Correspondence

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. June 1980 - August 1980, Weapons Platoon Leader, Company A, 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 142nd Infantry, Lubbock, Texas
2. August 1980 - October 1981, Rifle Platoon Leader, Company A, 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 142nd Infantry, Lubbock, Texas
3 October 1981- May 1983, Weapons Platoon Leader, Company A, 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 142nd Infantry, Lubbock, Texas
4. May 1983 - February 1985, Executive Officer, Company A, 2nd Battalion Mechanized), 142nd Infantry, Lubbock, Texas
5. February 1985 - September 1986, Commander, Company A, 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 142nd Infantry, Lubbock, Texas
6. September 1986 - September 1989, Commander, Company E, 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 142nd Infantry, Wellington, Texas
7. September 1989 - August 1990, Commander, Company D, 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 142nd Infantry, Lubbock, Texas
8. August 1990 - October 1991, S-4, Headquarters 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 142nd Infantry, Amarillo, Texas
9. October 1991- March 1993, Assistant S-3, Headquarters 2nd Brigade, 49th Armored Division, Fort Worth, Texas
10. March 1993 - October 1994, S-1, Headquarters 2nd Brigade, 49th Armored Division, Fort Worth, Texas
11. October 1994 - June 1996, S-3, Headquarters 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 142nd Infantry, Lubbock, Texas
12. July 1996 - August 1996, S-3, Headquarters 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 142nd Infantry, Lubbock, Texas
13. August 1996 - August 1997, Executive Officer, Headquarters 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 142nd Infantry, Lubbock, Texas
14. August 1997 - November 2000, Commander, 3rd Battalion (Mechanized), 141st Infantry, Weslaco, Texas
15. November 2000 - May 2001, Total Quality Management Coordinator, Headquarters, State Area Regional Command, Austin, Texas
16. May 2001 - December 2001, S-1, Troop Command, Austin, Texas
17. December 2001 - September 2004, Section Chief/Detachment Commander of Selective Service System, Headquarters, State Area Regional Command, Austin, Texas
18. September 2004 - May 2007, Commander, 72nd Brigade, 36th Infantry Division, Houston, Texas
19. June 2007 - February 2009, Assistant Adjutant General - Army, Texas National Guard, Austin, Texas; Dual-Hatted, August 2007 - February 2009, Deputy Commander for Support, United States Army South, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
20. February 2009 - November 2009, Deputy Commander for Support, United States Army South, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
21. December 2009 - Present, Assistant Adjutant General - Army, Texas National Guard, Austin, Texas; Dual-Hatted, December 2009 - April 2011, Deputy Commander for Support, United States Army South, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; April 2011 - Present, Deputy Commanding General, United States Army South, Fort Sam Houston, Texas

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Achievement Medal
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters)
National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze Service Star)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Gold Hourglass and M Device)
Army Service Ribbon
Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (with numeral 3)
Brazilian Peacemaker Medal
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Kosovo Medal
Expert Infantry Badge

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS:

Association of the United States Army
National Guard Association of Texas

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:

Second Lieutenant 14 June 1980
First Lieutenant 13 June 1983
Captain 1 July 1985
Major 30 June 1992
Lieutenant Colonel 12 November 1997
Colonel 23 January 2002
Brigadier General 1 June 2007

(Current as of April 2011)