RAPID CITY, S.D. – Col. Jeff Norris, of Rapid City, took command of the South Dakota Army National Guard’s 109th Regional Support Group during a change of command ceremony on Camp Rapid, April 6.
Norris assumed command from Col. Michael Oster, of Rapid City, who served in the position since July 2016.
The 109th RSG provides command and control of 18 units totaling more than 900 Soldiers in nine communities throughout South Dakota. The 109th assists assigned units in meeting training, administrative and logistical requirements to maintain the units’ readiness in support of state and federal missions.
“I was granted the honor of receiving the commander’s job, and I would like to continue the tradition of excellence that Col. Oster set in place,” Norris said during the ceremony.
“He’s going to do a great job with the RSG. He’s earned the opportunity to be the commander of the 109th,” said Brig. Gen. Tom Croymans, assistant adjutant general of the SDARNG. “I have every confidence that he’s going to do a fantastic job.”
Norris said his focus will be on individual Soldier and unit readiness – preparing them for future deployments overseas and missions in South Dakota for natural disasters and emergency operations – and ensuring Soldier care and maintaining their technical and tactical proficiency.
Norris has over 33 years of military service, 10 years of that being enlisted before receiving his officer commission from the South Dakota Military Academy Officer Candidate School in 1994.
As an officer, he served in various duty assignments in the 88th Troop Command, 152nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, the 196th Regional Training Institute, 109th Regional Support Group and Joint Force Headquarters.
He also served as the commander for the 1742nd Transportation Company and the 139th Brigade Support Battalion.
Norris is a veteran of the wars in Iraq, where he served during Operation Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
On the civilian side, Norris serves as a chief court services officer with the Unified Judicial System Seventh Circuit in Rapid City.
Norris is married to Chief Warrant Officer 5 Sandy Norris and they have three children: MacKenzie, Rylea, and Keaton.