N.D. Soldier Bound for Kosovo Promoted to Colonel

Photo By Spc. Jordan Huwe | David Thiele is congratulated by Brig. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, commanding general for Task Force Falcon, Kosovo Force 12, after his promotion to colonel at Camp Atterbury, Ind., Aug. 25.  

CAMP ATTERBURY, IN, UNITED STATES

08.25.2009

Courtesy Story

North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. — David L. Thiele was promoted to colonel today while on duty at Camp Atterbury, Ind., where he is training with other North Dakota Soldiers preparing to deploy to Kosovo. The North Dakota Soldiers arrived last week at this Indiana National Guard training facility and will deploy to Kosovo later this year. Official notification of Thiele's promotion didn't arrive until after his departure from North Dakota last week.

Brig. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, commanding general for Task Force Falcon, Kosovo Force 12, presided over the promotion ceremony in Indiana, while Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, administered the military oath of office to Thiele via video teleconference from Bismarck.

Traditionally, the oath of office is administered to all commissioned officers in the North Dakota National Guard each time they are promoted. This oath reaffirms the officer's commitment to the Constitution of the United States and the State of North Dakota.

"Dave Thiele has worked hard to earn this promotion, serving as both our senior legal officer and later as our military personnel officer," Sprynczynatyk said. "His outstanding leadership and technical legal expertise will serve his commander and fellow Soldiers well during his upcoming deployment to Kosovo."

Thiele's wife, Kelly; his father, Jim Thiele, and one of his two daughters, Kyle, also attended the video teleconference in Bismarck to witness the promotion. His other daughter, Paige, was not able to attend.

Thiele began his military career as an active-duty Army officer in the Judge Advocate General Corps from 1986-1994 before joining the North Dakota National Guard as a traditional Guardsman.

He began his full time National Guard career in 2004 serving as the Staff Judge Advocate for the North Dakota National Guard headquarters in Bismarck. From 2008 to 2009, he was assigned as the J-1military personnel officer responsible for all administrative duties in support of the 4,400 Soldiers and Airmen in the North Dakota National Guard.

"It's an honor to be recognized by the leadership who entrusted me with this promotion; I look forward to carrying on the excellent tradition of North Dakota Guardsmen and to contributing to the success of our organization," Thiele said to the group of Soldiers attending the ceremony.

Thiele now serves as the senior legal advisor to the commanding general for Kosovo Force 12, a mission that is expected to continue through August 2010.

Thiele earned both his undergraduate and juris doctorate degrees from the University of North Dakota and is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College.

• Date Taken: 08.25.2009
• Date Posted: 08.25.2009 18:01
• Story ID: 37952
• Location: CAMP ATTERBURY, IN, US