BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota National Guard’s Land Component Command will welcome a new leader when the current commander retires. Brig. Gen. William “Bill” Seekins will relinquish command to Col. David Anderson during a change of command ceremony on Sunday at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck.

The LCC is the Army component of the N.D. National Guard and consists of more than 3,350 soldiers. Immediately after the change of command ceremony, Seekins will be honored at a retirement ceremony.

Enlisting in 1977, Seekins is credited with 34 years of service with the North Dakota Army National Guard. A native of Jamestown, N.D., he graduated from Jamestown High School and Jamestown College where earning a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration.

After earning a commission as a second lieutenant, Seekins served as a platoon leader, executive officer and detachment commander for Company B, 141st Engineer Combat Battalion (Wheeled) prior to assuming command of Company A, 141st Engineer Combat Battalion in 1985.

In 2002, he assumed duties as the Training Site commander of the Camp Grafton Training Center near Devils Lake, N.D., until 2004 when he was assigned as commander of the Engineer Brigade, 34th Infantry Division, a position held until 2005.

Subsequently, he was assigned as the commander of the 164th Regional Training Institute at Camp Grafton Training Center until October 2008 when he assumed duties as the commander for the Land Component Command.

Seekins is a traditional guardsman and is employed full-time by Goodrich Corporation Cargo Systems as a Value Stream Leader responsible for the 747 and 767 cargo-handling systems product lines.

Anderson, a native of Oakes, N.D., graduated from Oaks High School in 1974 and North Dakota State University with a Bachelor in Science Degree. He earned his commission as a second lieutenant thru the NDSU ROTC program. A full time guardsman, Anderson has held a myriad of key positions with the Guard to include command of the Fargo, N.D., based 142nd Engineer Battalion during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003-2004. Previously he was assigned as the Army Chief of Staff for the North Dakota National Guard from October 2008 to October 2011.

WHO: Land Component Command change of command
and Brig. Gen William Seekins’ retirement

WHAT: Change of Command and retirement ceremony

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Raymond J. Bohn Armory, 4200 East Divide Ave., Bismarck, N.D.

MEDIA: No pre-coordination required. Billie Jo Lorius will be on site for assistance 701-426-5205.

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