Branstad to retain Orr as commander of Iowa National Guard

Gov.-elect Terry Branstad announced today he will retain Brigadier General Tim Orr as Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard.

Orr has been serving in this capacity since Mar. 26, 2009.

“General Orr has served the Iowa National Guard as an outstanding leader for our state,” Branstad said. “I have met with General Orr, and came away extremely impressed, and believe his leadership is a tremendous asset to all Iowa National Guard members, their families, and to Iowa as a whole. I am excited he has agreed to continue in this capacity.”

Born in Winterset and raised in Earlham and Boone, Gen. Orr began his military career in December 1978, when he enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard. He has commanded at the company, battalion and brigade level, as well as serving as Commander, 2

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Brigade Combat Team, 34

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Infantry Division, Iowa Army National Guard, from October 2004 to September 2007. He served as Chief of Staff of the Iowa Army National Guard from Oct. 2007 to December 2008.

“Because of General Orr's personal deployment experience, he understands the commitment of our Iowa National Guard troops and their families are making,” said Branstad. “One of the reasons I chose to retain him is this understanding during Iowa's largest National Guard deployment since World War II.”

Orr has an Associate of Arts in business from Des Moines Area Community College, is a 1983 graduate of Drake University, with a bachelor's degree in business and education, earned a master 's in education and community college certification from Iowa State University in 1991, and earned a master's in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College in 2003.