Fode promoted to Brigadier General

Photo By Staff Sgt. Eric Jensen | Brig. Gen. Robert Fode's brigadier general rank is affixed to his uniform by his wife, Theresia, during his promotion ceremony Sept. 20, 2015, at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck, N.D.  

BISMARCK, ND, UNITED STATES

09.20.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Eric Jensen 

North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

BISMARCK, N.D. - Robert Fode, of Mandan, North Dakota, was promoted Sunday to the rank of brigadier general, becoming one of only five general officers within the ranks of the North Dakota National Guard. A formal ceremony was held for the state's newest 'one-star' at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck, where Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, presided over the event.

"Today is a very special occasion. To put in perspective the scale of this event, less than one percent of the American population serves in the military, and of that one percent, less than one percent become a general officer," Sprynczynatyk said during the ceremony. "Countless times, you (Fode) have placed the state of North Dakota and the nation as your highest priority, and have sacrificed much along the way. You have served with distinction and have reached a place of honor which few ever attain. It is a great privilege to stand here today and promote you to the rank of brigadier general."

In front of an audience of current and former National Guard members, family and friends, Fode had his new rank affixed to his uniform by his wife, Theresia. He also was presented a general officer's black belt. Adorned with an 18-karat gold-plated buckle featuring the imprint of an eagle, the issuing of the belt dates back to Wold War II when it was first produced in 1944 upon an order from the U.S. Army chief of staff.

Sprynczynatyk then administered the oath of office and presented Fode a red, U.S. Army brigadier general officer's flag with a white, five-pointed star in the center. The flag will be posted whenever Fode attends formal military events.

"Every place I went this weekend, everybody tried to make this event about me. I'm going to let you all know that it truly is not about me," Fode said to attendees at the ceremony. "It's really about a community. It's really about family and it's really about a team - one of the best teams I've been a part of - the North Dakota National Guard. I thank all of you, because if it wasn't for you, there's no way that I'd be standing here today."

A native of Mobridge, South Dakota, Fode has more than 37 years of service in the military. He enlisted in the South Dakota National Guard in 1978 as a truck driver before transferring to the North Dakota Army National Guard later that year. In 1985, he attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the engineer branch within the N.D. Army National Guard.

Fode has held myriad key leadership positions throughout his career, including serving as a platoon leader, executive officer and commander within units of the 164th Engineer Combat Battalion. Additionally, he has served as the operations officer for the 142nd Engineer Combat Battalion. He commanded the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion from December 2003 - February 2005 during that unit's deployment to Iraq. He mobilized again for a NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo in 2009, serving as the deputy commander, Multinational Battle Group East with Kosovo Forces (KFOR) 12. Upon his return, Fode was assigned as the director of the Joint Staff for the N.D. National Guard before assuming duties as the Army Component commander. In this role, he is responsible for leading more than 3,000 North Dakota Guard Soldiers.

Fode graduated from the University of North Dakota with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. A traditional Guardsman, Fode is employed by the N.D. Department of Transportation. He has worked for the agency since 1993 and is currently assigned as the director for the Office of Project Development.

Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized more than 4,200 Soldiers and nearly 2,600 Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. About 70 percent of all members serving today have joined since that time. Currently, nearly 25 North Dakota Guardsmen are mobilized for overseas and domestic service. With a total force of about 4,400 Guardsmen, the North Dakota National Guard remains ready for stateside 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.

• Date Taken: 09.20.2015
• Date Posted: 09.21.2015 16:48
• Story ID: 176778
• Location: BISMARCK, ND, US