Brigadier General Thomas H. Katkus

Adjutant General, Commissioner of Alaska DMVA

Brigadier General Katkus is a lifelong Alaskan who enlisted in the Alaska Army National Guard on 31 October 1977. After attaining the rank of Sergeant, he entered Alaska 's Officer Candidate School and received his commission on 5 December 1980, as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry. He graduated the Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Armor Officer Advance Course, the Combined Arms Staff Service School , the United States Army Command and General Staff College , and the United States Army War College.

As a non-commissioned officer, Brigadier General Katkus served as an airborne medic with the Alaska Army National Guard's Long Range Reconnaissance Detachment. After receiving his commission, Brigadier General Katkus served as a Light Reconnaissance Team leader, Scout Platoon Leader, Support Platoon Leader, Battalion Motor Officer, Headquarters Company Commander, Assistant S-4, Infantry Company Commander, Battalion Plans and Operations Officer, Battalion Commander, Counterdrug Coordinator, Chief of Staff of the Army National Guard, and Assistant Adjutant General – Space and Missile Defense.

On 7 April 2007, Brigadier General Katkus assumed the duties of Commander, Alaska Army National Guard/Assistant Adjutant General – Army.

In his civilian career, Brigadier General Katkus retired from the Anchorage Police Department on 14 December 2000 after over 21 years of service. During his tenure with APD he served as patrol officer, traffic officer, canine handler, Patrol Sergeant, Sergeant of the Crimes Against Children Unit, shift Lieutenant, and Captain of the Resource Division.

Brigadier General Katkus resides in Chugiak with his wife Jo and his sons Kristopher and Kevan.

Education:

  • 1977 B.A. Political Science, Saint Michael's College, Colchester , VT
  • 1980 Officer Candidate School , Ft. Richardson , AK
  • 1982 Officer Basic Course, Infantry, Ft. Benning , GA
  • 1986 Officer Advanced Course, Armor, Ft. Knox , KY
  • 1992 Police Staff & Command School , Northwestern University, Evanston , IL
  • 1999 Command and General Staff College (Reserve Component)

Assignments:

  • Oct 77 Enlisted Service (Medic), Airborne Detachment, 207 th Infantry Group (Scout), Camp Carroll , AK
  • Mar 81 Light Reconnaissance Team Commander, Airborne Detachment, 207 th Infantry Grp, Camp Carroll , AK
  • May 85 Scout Platoon Leader, A Company, 5 th Battalion, 297 th Infantry, Anchorage , AK
  • Dec 86 Support Platoon Leader, Headquarters Company, 5 th Battalion, 297 th Infantry, Anchorage , AK
  • Apr 98 Battalion Motor Officer, Headquarters Company, 5 th Battalion, 297 th Infantry, Anchorage , AK
  • May 90 Headquarters Company Commander, Headquarters, 5 th Battalion, 297 th Infantry, Anchorage , AK Sep 92 Assistant S-4 (Logistics), 207 th Infantry Group (Scout), Camp Denali , AK
  • Nov 93 Communications/Electronics Officer, Headquarters, 2 nd Battalion, 297 th Infantry, Bethel , AK
  • May 94 Infantry Company Commander, B Company, 2 nd Battalion, 297 th Infantry, Quinhagak , AK
  • Aug 96 Battalion S-3 (Operations), Headquarters, 3 rd Battalion, 297 th Infantry, Juneau , AK
  • Nov 99 Inspector General, 207 th Infantry Group (Scout), Camp Denali , AK
  • Jul 00 Battalion Commander, Headquarters, 3 rd Battalion, 297 th Infantry, Juneau , AK
  • Oct 01 Management Information Security Officer, STARC, Camp Denali , AK
  • Jan 03 Chief of Staff, STARC, Camp Denali , AK
  • Feb 04 Chief of Staff, AKARNG Element-Joint Forces Headquarters, Camp Denali , AK
  • Apr 04 Assistant Adjutant General – Space & Missile Defense, Joint Forces HQ – Alaska , Camp Denali , AK
  • Apr 07 Commander, Alaska Army National Guard, Joint Forces HQ – Alaska , Camp Denali , AK

Major Awards and Decorations:

  • Legion of Merit
  • Meritorious Service Medal
  • Army Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters
  • Air Force Commendation Medal
  • Army Achievement Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters
  • Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with 6 oak leaf clusters
  • National Defense Service Medal
  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  • Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver hourglass device
  • Army Service Ribbon
  • United States Army Excellence in Competition Badge (Bronze Pistol)
  • Parachute Badge

Effective Dates of Promotion

  • Second Lieutenant ARNG 05 Dec 80
  • First Lieutenant ARNG Dec 83
  • Captain ARNG Jul 88
  • Major ARNG Apr 94
  • Lieutenant Colonel ARNG Jan 00
  • Colonel ARNG Jun 03
  • Brigadier General ARNG 01 Aug 05