MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle formally recognized the promotion of Mark Anderson to general officer rank by pinning him with the rank of brigadier general in a ceremony at the State Capitol today. Anderson, of Wisconsin Rapids, currently commands the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and will assume command of the entire Wisconsin Army National Guard as deputy adjutant general on February 29, 2008.
“General Anderson’s military service stretches back 25 years and he brings with him a wealth of experience and a history of dedicated service,” Governor Doyle said. “From his service both here in Wisconsin and on missions overseas, to his long list of recognitions, I know General Anderson has the talent, the experience, and the vision to continue the high caliber of leadership our National Guard needs.”
Anderson holds a bachelor’s degree in Water Resources from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and is a graduate of the Wisconsin Military Academy, Artillery Officer Basic and Advance Courses, Army Command and General Staff College and other courses. He earned a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa., in 2002.
Anderson enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1983. After transferring to the Wisconsin Army National Guard, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1985. He served in 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery, as a fire support officer, firing battery commander, intelligence officer, fire direction officer, operations officer, and battalion commander. He has also served as the 32nd Brigade fire support officer; as assistant operations and training officer, State Area Command; as executive officer of the 57th Field Artillery Brigade; and as deputy commander of the 32nd Separate Infantry Brigade. He recently served one year with the Multi-National Security Transition Command–Iraq as a senior military transition team advisor to the Iraqi army, responsible for equipping, training and deploying over 20,000 Iraqi soldiers. On his return, he assumed command of the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team December 15, 2006.
Brig. Gen. Anderson’s military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster, the National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hourglass and “M” devices, as well as other federal and state awards. Brig. Gen. Anderson has also been awarded the Combat Action Badge and is a recipient of the Military Orders of Saint Barbara (Artillery) and Saint Maurice – Centurion (Infantry).
Anderson is married to Barb and they have three children: Matthew, Elizabeth and Andrew.
-30-
