Brigadier General Joel E. DeGroot
Brigadier General Joel E. De Groot is the Chief of Staff, South Dakota Air National Guard, Joe Foss Field, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. General De Groot assists the Adjutant General on developing and coordinating programs, policies and plans for response to Federal and State mission requirements.
General De Groot earned his commissioned in 1995 from the Academy of Military Science in Knoxville, Tennessee. Soon after commissioning he was selected to serve as the Commander of the 114th Fighter Wing Service Flight and led the Flight to win the Kenneth W. Disney Award for best Air National Guard Dining Facility. Prior to receiving his commission, General De Groot enlisted into the South Dakota Air National Guard in 1986, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. He assumed the position of Chief of Staff in May 2018 holding previous positions as the 114th Maintenance Squadron Commander, 114th Maintenance Group Deputy Commander, 114th Maintenance Group Commander and Assistant Adjutant General. In 2008 General De Groot deployed to Balad Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
EDUCATION
1993 Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Behavior & Management, University of Sioux Falls, S.D.
2008 Air War College, by correspondence
2014 Master of Science in Management, University of Management and Technology, Arlington, Va.
2018 Dual Status Commanders Course (NORTHCOM), Colorado Springs, Colo.
2018 Joint Task Force Commanders Course (NORTHCOM), Colorado Springs, Colo.
2018 Senior Leader Orientation Course (SLOC); Joint Base Andrews, Md. & Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1995 - May 1996, Morale Welfare Recreation Services Officer, 114th Services Flight, Joe Foss Field, S.D.
2. May 1996 - November 2002, Commander, 114th Services Flight, Joe Foss Field, S.D.
3. November 2002 - April 2008, Commander, 114th Maintenance Squadron, Joe Foss Field, S.D.
4. April 2008 - April 2010, Maintenance Group Deputy Commander, 114th Maintenance Group, Joe Foss Field, S.D. (July 2008 - October 2008, 332nd EAMU OIC, Balad Air Base, Iraq)
5. April 2010 - March 2017, Maintenance Group Commander, 114th Maintenance Group, Joe Foss Field, S.D.
6. March 2017 - May 2018, Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters, South Dakota Air National Guard, Joe Foss Field, S.D.
7. May 2018 - Present, Chief of Staff, HQ SDANG, Sioux Falls, S.D.
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with six oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with star
Iraq Campaign Medal with star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device
South Dakota National Guard Achievement Ribbon
South Dakota Distinguished Service Award with one oak leaf cluster
South Dakota Emergency Operation Ribbon
South Dakota National Guard Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
South Dakota Desert Storm Ribbon
South Dakota Distinguished Unit Citation with four oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 15, 1995
First Lieutenant June 15, 1997
Captain July 9, 1999
Major July 13, 2003
Lieutenant Colonel July 14, 2007
Colonel May 26, 2011
Brigadier General March 17, 2017
(Current as of August 2018)
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