BISMARCK, N.D. — One of the top leaders of the North Dakota National Guard Brig. Gen. Patrick Martin, deputy adjutant general and assistant adjutant general for air, will be honored at a retirement ceremony, Saturday, Oct. 2 at 2:30 p.m., after 36 years of military service.

Martin became the Deputy Adjutant General in February 2009, and the Assistant Adjutant General for Air in January 2008.

Born, raised and still residing in Pelican Rapids, Minn., he graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1973 and from North Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering in 1983.

Enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1974, he served until 1979 obtaining the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. He joined the North Dakota Air National Guard in 1981 as a Staff Sgt. performing maintenance on F-4 aircraft avionics systems until receiving his commission in 1985. From 1985 – 1995 he served in the 119th Civil Engineering Squadron where he supervised, coordinated and assigned projects for 305-Airmen squadron as well as being responsible for the design and construction programs at the 119th Fighter Wing. In April 2004, he was assigned as the Vice Commander of the 119th Fighter Wing.

In September 2006, he was assigned as the officer-in-charge (J-5 officer) of strategic planning Directorate in Joint Forces Headquarters, North Dakota National Guard in Bismarck. In April 2007 he was dual-rolled as the Chief of Joint Staff, and the Assistant Adjutant General for Air, in Joint Forces Headquarters. In February 2009 he was appointed Deputy Adjutant General.

WHO: Brig. Gen. Patrick Martin, Deputy Adjutant General and Assistant Adjutant General for Air
WHAT: Retirement for Brig. Gen. Martin
WHERE: Raymond J. Bohn Armory, 4200 East Divide Ave., Bismarck, N.D. 58506-5151
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 2 at 2:30 p.m.
MEDIA: no pre-coordination is required

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Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized more than 3,500 Soldiers and more than 1,800 Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Currently, about 75 North Dakota Guardsmen are serving overseas while more than 4,000 remain in the state for emergency response and national defense.  For every 10,000 citizens in North Dakota, 65 serve in the North Dakota National Guard, a rate that’s more than four times the national average.