Governor names new National Guard leader
Published 12:58 pm Friday, October 27, 2023
- Col. Alan Gronewald has been appointed by Gov. Tina Kotek to lead the Oregon National Guard. He will succeed Gen. Michael Stencel, who ends a 39-year military career in November, the past eight years as Oregon's adjutant general.
Army Col. Alan Gronewald will lead the Oregon National Guard as the state’s next adjutant general.
He will succeed Gen. Michael Stencel, who retires in November after a 39-year military career, the past eight years as adjutant general. Most of Stencel’s postings have been in Oregon, including two years as commander of the Oregon Air National Guard before he became adjutant general.
Gov. Tina Kotek had this to say about both in her announcement:
“With new beginnings comes an appreciation for how we got here. Outgoing Adjutant General Stencel led with integrity and rigor. I am grateful for his lifetime of public service, the rewards of which are felt across the Oregon National Guard membership, state, and nation.
“Alan Gronewold is a tested leader, known for building a positive organizational culture by centering dignity and respect. He brings the experience and character this position calls for, and I am honored to name him as our next adjutant general.”
Gronewald will be promoted to brigadier general.
Gronewald earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and systems engineering in 1996 from the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. He earned a master’s degree in military strategic studies in 2018 from the Army War College.
His 27 years in the Army includes deployments to Germany, Kuwait, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Prior to his appointment, Gronewold commanded the land component of the Oregon Army National Guard. In addition to his deployments, Gronewold has held a number of leadership positions, including command of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade. From 2006 to 2017, he was the Army aviation officer for the National Guard. He also was a division chief of the Joint Forces Headquarters.
Although Oregon has had a state military force for years, the current Military Department was created in 1961. Its current two-year budget is $220.4 million, only $41.2 million of it from the state’s tax-supported general fund, and the agency has 455 full-time equivalent positions.
