BRIGADIER GENERAL KEVIN S. GERDES

Assistant Division Commander - Support, 34th Infantry Division

Brigadier General Kevin S. Gerdes is Assistant Division Commander - Support, 34th Infantry Division 'Red Bull' Division, Minnesota Army National Guard, Rosemount, Minnesota.

General Gerdes joined the Minnesota Army National Guard in 1979. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1982 through the Reserve Officer Training program at Saint John's University. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Management from Upper Iowa University in 1993. During his 32 year career, he has served in a variety of positions: Executive Officer and Commander at the Battery, Battalion, and Brigade level; as well as State Personnel Director for the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program. General Gerdes served a tour of duty as Commander of the 1st Battalion 151st Field Artillery in Iraq where he earned a bronze star. Prior to assuming his duties as Assistant Division Commander (Support), he served as Chief of Staff for the Minnesota Army National Guard. General Gerdes is a graduate of the United States Army War College and holds a Masters degree in Strategic Studies. He is currently enrolled in the Doctorate of Leadership program at the University of Saint Thomas.

EDUCATION:

1993 Upper Iowa University, Bachelor of Science, Management, Fayette, Iowa
2006 United States Army War College, by correspondence
2006 United States Army War College, Master of Science, Strategic Studies, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania 

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. May 1982 - March 1986, Liaison Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 175th Field Artillery, Montevideo, Minnesota
2. March 1986 - October 1987, Executive Officer, Battery A, 1st Battalion, 175th Field Artillery, Dawson, Minnesota
3. October 1987- September 1988, Fire Direction Officer, 1st Battalion, 175th Field Artillery, Montevideo, Minnesota
4. September 1988 - June 1989, Commander, Battery A, 1st Battalion, 175th Field Artillery, Dawson, Minnesota
5. June 1989 - June 1992, Fire Direction Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 175th Field Artillery, Montevideo, Minnesota
6. June 1992 - December 1993, Assistance Information & Security Officer, Headquarters, State Area Command, Saint Paul, Minnesota
7. December 1993 - June 1994, Liaison Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 34th Infantry Division Artillery, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
8. June 1994 - September 1994, Fire Support Coordinator, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 34th Infantry Division Artillery, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
9. September 1994 - October 1996, Operations Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 34th Infantry Division, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
10. October 1996 - September 1997, Division Artillery S1, Headquarters, 34th Infantry Division Artillery, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
11. September 1997 - September 1998, Assistant Fire Support Coordinator, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 34th Infantry Division Artillery, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
12. September 1998 - July 2000, Executive Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Section, 1st Battalion, 151st Field Artillery, Montevideo, Minnesota
13. July 2000 - October 2001, Operations and Training Officer, Headquarters State Area Command, Detachment Four, Roseville, Minnesota
14. October 2001 - September 2003, Executive Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 34th Infantry Division Artillery, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
15. September 2003 - November 2004, Commander, 1st Battalion, 151st Field Artillery, Montevideo, Minnesota
16. November 2004 - January 2006, Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Section Forward, 1st Battalion, 151st Field Artillery, Montevideo, Minnesota
17. January 2006 - December 2008, Director J1, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Minnesota Joint Force Headquarters, Saint Paul, Minnesota
18. January 2009 - June 2010, Commander, 84th Troop Command, Minneapolis, Minnesota
19. June 2010 - July 2011, Chief, Joint Staff Element, Minnesota Joint Force Headquarters, Saint Paul, Minnesota
20. July 2011 - Present, Assistant Division Commander - Support, 34th Infantry Division, Rosemount, Minnesota

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Army Commendation Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Army Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Commendation (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster)
National Defense Service Ribbon (with 1 Bronze Service Star)
Iraqi Campaign Medal (with 2 Bronze Service Stars)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Silver Hourglass and 'M' Device)
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Minnesota Distinguished Service Medal
Minnesota Medal for Merit
Minnesota Commendation Ribbon w/Pendant (with 1 Gold Star)
Minnesota State Active Duty Ribbon (with 2 Gold Stars)
Minnesota Distinguished Recruiting Ribbon (with 4 Gold Stars)
Minnesota Service Ribbon (with Roman XXV Device)

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTIONS:

Second Lieutenant 27 May 1982
First Lieutenant 06 December 1984
Captain 10 June 1988
Major 06 July 1994
Lieutenant Colonel 15 October 2001
Colonel 25 August 2006
Brigadier General 24 October 2011

(Current as of March 2012)