New Commander Takes Reins of North Dakota National Guard

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota National Guard has a new commander.

Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann took the reins from Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk in a Sunday ceremony. The 65-year-old Sprynczynatyk is retiring after more than four decades with the Guard, including nearly a decade as adjutant general.

The 55-year-old Dohrmann becomes the state Guard's 21st adjutant general. Gov. Jack Dalrymple says he has an "impressive resume of leadership."

Dohrmann joined the military as an Army officer in 1983 and the North Dakota National Guard in 1991. In 2009, he led a force of about 2,200 troops from seven countries as part of a yearlong peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.

Dohrmann will oversee about 4,200 airmen and soldiers serving in the National Guard in North Dakota.