Gov. Heineman Outlines Selection Process
for Nebraska’s Next Adjutant General

(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman today announced the selection process for individuals interested in becoming candidates for Nebraska’s next adjutant general. Last week, Maj. Gen. Roger Lempke announced plans to retire in the fall.

In his role as commander in chief of the Nebraska National Guard, Gov. Heineman will select an individual who will serve as the state’s 31st adjutant general.

To be considered, applicants must have spent at least five years as an active or retired officer of the Nebraska National Guard and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel. Candidates must be less than the mandatory military retirement age of 64 and have the experience and training consistent with those eligible for promotion to the rank of general.

To begin the application process, potential applicants should submit a letter of interest to Col. Douglas Wilken at the Nebraska Military Department, 1330 Military Rd., Lincoln, NE 68508-1090. The deadline to submit applications is Tuesday, July 31.

Questions regarding requirements and qualifications for the position should be directed to Col. Wilken at 402-309-7301.

The Governor has appointed an eight member screening panel to review the applicants and forward a list of finalists for the Governor’s review and selection. Maj. Gen. Walt Zink (NEARNG) of Lincoln has agreed to chair the committee.

Other members of the screening panel include: Kathleen Allan of Lincoln, Brig. Gen. Richard Bertrand (retired NEANG) of Lincoln, Brig. Gen. Paul Cohen (retired NEANG) of Omaha, Rene Dreiling of Papillion, Chief Master Sgt. Glenn Freeman (retired USAF) of Omaha, Brig. Gen. James Murphy (retired NEARNG) of Omaha, and Natalie Peetz of Lincoln.

The panel is expected to review applicants throughout the summer and submit a list of three candidates to the Governor in September. The Governor intends to name a successor by mid-October in order to provide for a transition period before Gen. Lempke’s retirement.

In addition to commanding the Nebraska’s military forces, the adjutant general is a member of the Governor’s Cabinet and serves as the director of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), working with civilian emergency preparedness and disaster response personnel for the state. NEMA also coordinates state and federal emergency planning and disaster recovery efforts and assists local governments with training and education programs.

The Nebraska National Guard is comprised of Army National Guard (NEARNG) and Air National Guard (NEANG) personnel. The Nebraska Army National Guard consists of 3,602 soldiers assigned to units located in 28 Nebraska communities. The Nebraska Air National Guard consists of 935 airmen and women assigned to units in Lincoln and at Offutt Air Force Base.