BRIGADIER GENERAL THEODORE D. JOHNSON

Director, Joint Staff, South Dakota National Guard

Brigadier General Theodore D. Johnson was appointed as Director, Joint Staff on 1 November 2006 and serves as the senior coordinating staff officer of both the South Dakota Army and Air National Guard. General Johnson assists in preparing 4,500 Army and Air National Guard Soldiers, Airmen and 950 full-time federal and state employees to respond in times of state or national emergency.

General Johnson has more than 33 years of service that began as an enlisted Soldier in the Minnesota Army National Guard in April 1972. He received his commission from the South Dakota Military Academy's Officer Candidate School in July 1985. General Johnson is a 2005 graduate of the United States Army War College receiving a Masters in Strategic Studies and has a Masters of Science from the University of South Dakota. General Johnson has held numerous leadership positions in the 109th Engineer Battalion and was Commander, 82nd Civil Support Team, State Public Affairs Officer, Director of Military Support to Civil Authorities, Director of Human Resources, Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations Joint Force Headquarters, Joint Chief of Staff, Commander, 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and Commander of Task Force Rushmore, Afghanistan.

EDUCATION:

1978 Saint Cloud State University, Bachelor of Arts, Geography, Saint Cloud, Minnesota
1999 University of South Dakota, Master of Science, Public Administration, Vermillion, South Dakota
2005 United States Army War College, Masters of Strategic Studies, Carlisle Barracks Pennsylvania
2005 United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. September 1985 - January 1986, Platoon Leader, 842nd Engineer Company, Spearfish, South Dakota
2. February 1986 - August 1989, Commander, Detachment 1, 842nd Engineer Company, Belle Fourche, South Dakota
3. September 1989 - August 1990, Commander, 211th Engineer Company (Medium Girder Bridge), Mobridge, South Dakota
4. August 1990 - September 1992, Commander, 214th Engineer Company (Panel Bridge), Hot Springs, South Dakota
5. September 1992 - November 1993, S-1 Officer, Headquarters Headquarters Detachment, 109th Engineer Battalion, Sturgis, South Dakota
6. November 1993 - July 1994, S-4 Officer, Headquarters Headquarters Detachment, 109th Engineer Battalion, Sturgis, South Dakota
7. July 1994 - July 1996, Chief of Intelligence/Security Branch, Headquarters State Area Command (-), Rapid City, South Dakota
8. August 1996 - August 1997, Executive Officer, 88th Troop Command, Rapid City, South Dakota
9. September 1997 - December 1998, Public Affairs Officer, Headquarters State Area Command (-), Rapid City, South Dakota
10. December 1998 - May 1999, Director of Military Support to Civil Authorities, Headquarters State Area Command (-), Rapid City, South Dakota
11. June 1999 - October 2001, Commander, 82nd Civil Support Team, Rapid City, South Dakota
12. October 2001 - August 2002, Director of Military Support to Civil Authorities, Headquarters State Area Command (-), Rapid City, South Dakota
13. September 2002 - March 2003, Director of Human Resources, Headquarters State Area Command (-), Rapid City, South Dakota
14. April 2003 - April 2005, Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations, Joint Force Headquarters, Rapid City, South Dakota
15. April 2005 - November 2005, Joint Chief of Staff, Joint Force Headquarters, Rapid City, South Dakota
16. December 2005 -March 2009, Director, Joint Staff, Joint Force Headquarters, Rapid City, South Dakota
17. April 2009 - September 2011, Commander, 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
18. September 2011 - Present, Director, Joint Staff, Joint Force Headquarters, Rapid City, South Dakota

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Army Commendation Medal (with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Achievement Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
National Defense Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Service Stars)
Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Silver Hourglass and M Device)
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (with Numeral 2)
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal
South Dakota Distinguished Service Medal
South Dakota Emergency Operations Ribbon
South Dakota Service Ribbon (with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
South Dakota Desert Storm Service Ribbon

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS:

National Guard Association of the United States - Life Member
South Dakota National Guard Officer's Association - Life Member
Military Officers Association of America
American Legion
Veterans of Forgien Wars Life Member
Rapid City Elks Lodge #1187
Rapid City Chamber of Commerce
Black Hills Red Cross - Past President

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS:

Second Lieutenant 28 July 1985
First Lieutenant 27 July 1988
Captain 3 August 1990
Major 12 September 1994
Lieutenant Colonel 8 February 1999
Colonel 31 July 2002
Brigadier General (Line) 1 October 2007

(Current as of June 2012)