MAJOR GENERAL DAVID P. RATACZAK
The Adjutant General, Arizona National Guard
Major General David P. Rataczak assumed the duties of The Adjutant General, Arizona National Guard on June 1, 1999. This assignment follows three years as Assistant Adjutant General, Army and then seven years as the Chief of Staff, Arizona Army National Guard.
His military education includes the U. S. Army Aviation School where he received instruction in various fixed and rotary wing aircraft; the Transportation Officer Basic Course, 1972; the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, 1979; the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, 1986; and the U.S. Army War College, 1995, where he served as class president.
He enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1965. After completing Aviation training, he was assigned to the 334th Armed Helicopter Company, First Aviation Brigade in Vietnam where he flew over 1,000 combat hours. Upon his release from Active Duty in 1968, he was appointed as an officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard where he served as Aviation Safety Officer, Platoon Commander, and Company Commander. In 1982, he was transferred to the Arizona Army National Guard where he served as Aviation Operations Officer, Army Airfield Commander, State Aviation Officer, and Commander, 385th Aviation Group and Chief of Staff, Arizona Army National Guard. In 1996, he was appointed as the Assistant Adjutant General, Army.
EDUCATION:
Personnel Management for Executives
University of Minnesota - AA Degree
Western International University - BA Degree (Management) Magna Cum Laude
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. 1965, Basic Training
2. 1965 - 1966, Flight School
3. 1966 - 1967, Viet Nam (Attack Pilot)
4. 1967 - 1968, Instructor Pilot (Primary Flight Training)
5. 1971 - 1973, Instructor Pilot, HHC 47th Aviation BN 47th Division
6. 1973 - 1974, Section Leader, Co B 47th Aviation BN
7. 1974 - 1975, Training Officer, 47th Aviation Battalion
8. 1975, Intelligence Officer, 47th Aviation Battalion
9. 1975 - 1976, Aviation Safety Officer, 47th Aviation Battalion
10. 1976 1979, Platoon Commander, Co B 47th Aviation Battalion
11. 1979 1980, HHC Commander, 47th Aviation Battalion
12. 1980 1982, Company Commander, Aviation Intermediate Maintenance (AVIM), 47th
Aviation Battalion
13. 1982 1983, Instructor Pilot - State Headquarters
14. 1982 1983, Operations Officer - State Headquarters
15. 1983 1985, Airfield Commander - State Headquarters
16. 1985 1988, State Aviation Officer - State Headquarters
17. 1988 1989, Commander, 385th Aviation Group
18. 1989 - Feb 95, Chief of Staff - State Headquarters
19. Mar 95 - Dec 96, Deputy STARC Commander
20. Dec 96 - May 99, Assistant Adjutant General, Army
21. Jun 99 - Present, The Adjutant General
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air Medal (with 37 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Commendation Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Viet Nam Service Medal
Master Army Aviator Badge
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Viet Nam Campaign Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS:
Enlisted (E-5) Army 15 Jan 65
Appointed Warrant Officer (WO-1) Army 1 Feb 66
2LT Army 1 Mar 67
1LT Army 1 Mar 68
CPT ARNG 1 Feb 73
MAJ ARNG 25 Sep 80
LTC ARNG 8 Nov 84
COL ARNG 1 Jul 88
BG ARNG 4 Dec 96
MG ARNG 6 Oct 00
(Current as of November 2000)
