Photo By Lt. Col. Tambra West | On Sept. 11, 2026, family, friends, Soldiers and fellow leaders gathered at the Utah...... read more read more
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When Brig. Gen. Shawn M. Fuellenbach enlisted in the Utah Army National Guard as a 17-year-old high school senior, he could not have known that the organization he joined would shape the next 36 years of his life, or that he would one day help lead it.
On Sept. 11, 2026, family, friends, Soldiers and fellow leaders gathered at the Utah National Guard Joint Force Headquarters auditorium in Draper to honor Fuellenbach as he closed more than three decades of military service. The ceremony included recognition of his family, award and retirement order presentations, the casing of his general officer flag, and remarks from those who served alongside him.
The date carried special meaning for Fuellenbach, who reflected on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the lasting impact they had on his generation of service members.
“Like so many Americans, and so many Soldiers in this room, that day changed the course of my life and my military career,” Fuellenbach said.
A native of Richfield, Utah, Fuellenbach enlisted in 1989 as a field artillery cannon crew member. He rose to the rank of sergeant first class before commissioning as a field artillery second lieutenant in 2001. His career would eventually take him from an artillery battery in Utah to combat deployments, brigade command, and senior leadership positions within the Utah Army National Guard.
Fuellenbach deployed to Ar Ramadi, Iraq, for 12 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom while commanding Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery. He later commanded the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery and served as deputy commander of the 65th Field Artillery Brigade, deploying in support of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve.
From 2024 until June 2026, Fuellenbach served as assistant adjutant general and commander of the Utah Army National Guard, helping lead the organization where his military career began. He concluded his service as the Army National Guard deputy commanding general for field artillery at the Fires Center of Excellence at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Michael D. Kjar, Utah’s adjutant general, spoke about Fuellenbach’s influence as both a leader and mentor. The two share years of service in the Utah National Guard, including combat service in Ramadi.
Kjar described Fuellenbach as a leader who worked hard, knew his profession, and never expected Soldiers to do something he was unwilling to do himself.
“He was a master of his craft, and he wanted to ensure that he was an expert, so that he could lead with moral authority,” Kjar said. “He lived what he believed.”
That approach to leadership extended beyond the positions Fuellenbach held. Throughout his career, he mentored Soldiers, noncommissioned officers, warrant officers and officers who would go on to serve in leadership roles across the Utah National Guard.
For Fuellenbach, however, the retirement ceremony was less about rank or assignments and more about the people who shared the journey.
“You are why I’m here,” Fuellenbach told those gathered. “You are why I served.”
Among those people was his wife, Yvonne, who was recognized during the ceremony for the support and sacrifices she made throughout his career. Fuellenbach acknowledged that every deployment, temporary duty assignment, late-night phone call and new responsibility he accepted also required something from his family.
Fuellenbach’s career included service as an enlisted Soldier, noncommissioned officer, commissioned officer and general officer. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Combat Action Badge.
As his general officer flag was cased and more than 36 years in uniform officially came to a close, Fuellenbach left those still serving with a simple message about what mattered most throughout his career.
“People and relationships matter,” he said. “All of you matter.”
For the Utah National Guard, Fuellenbach’s retirement marks the departure of a leader whose service stretched from the gun line to the highest levels of the organization. For Fuellenbach, it marked the end of a career built alongside the Soldiers, leaders, friends and family who shaped it with him.
“The greatest honor was simply being allowed to serve alongside all of you,” Fuellenbach said. “Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for your trust. Thank you for over 36 extraordinary years. It has been the honor of my lifetime.”
“King of all, one team, one fight. Rounds complete. End of mission.”
| Date Taken: | 09.12.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.16.2026 17:38 |
| Story ID: | 574937 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 28 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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