News from
The Adjutant General's Department

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     April 22, 2005

No. 05-035

ANDREW TO ASSUME POSITION AS JOINT DIRECTOR OF MILITARY SUPPORT

Col. William Vonderschmidt, Chief of the Joint Staff, Joint Forces Headquarters Kansas, announces the selection of Lt. Col. John K. Andrew II, State Mobilization and Readiness Officer for the Kansas Army National Guard, as the Joint Director of Military Support following the retirement of Lt. Col. Craig Beardsley on June 30.

"We are fortunate to have an officer with Lt. Col. Andrew's operational experience selected to represent us as we work with local communities throughout the state to enhance out military assistance to civil authorities (MACA) in the event of natural or man-made disasters," said Maj. Gen. (KS) Tod Bunting, the adjutant general. "We do not take lightly our obligation to provide any MACA support in this new era of potential domestic threats and disasters. I expect Lt. Col. Andrew will further enhance those great plans and capabilities previously developed by Lt. Col. Beardsley."

"This is a wonderful opportunity for the military to work with civil authorities to help ensure a secure homeland for all Kansans," said Andrew.

Andrew attended New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico, for two years, where was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1982. He went on to attend Kansas State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications. Recently, he completed his course requirements for a Master's Degree from Kansas State in Environmental Management Planning.

Andrew was a member of the New Mexico Army National Guard from 1980 to 1982 where he was with the 1st Battalion, 200th Air Defense Artillery in Artesia, N.M. After graduation from New Mexico Military Institute and receiving his commission, he entered the Kansas Army National Guard in 1982, serving with the 1st Battalion, 635th Armor. Since that time he has served as a tank platoon leader, tank company executive officer and company commander, battalion operations officer, battalion executive officer and battalion commander for the 1st Battalion, 635th Armor. As a staff officer outside the battalion, he has worked at the Division level as a liaison officer, as brigade operations officer for 69th Troop Command and at the state level as a training officer, engineer officer, environmental officer and training site commander. Andrew is currently the personnel officer for the 35th Infantry Division.
His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Kansas Emergency Service Ribbon and other service ribbons.

Andrew lives in Topeka with his wife, Irma, and his two children, Victoria and Kenny.

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