Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa National Guard announced that Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn, Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard and Director of the Iowa Department of Public Defense, will retire from his position effective Jan. 16, 2027.
Osborn has served as Iowa’s 28th Adjutant General since 2023, leading the nearly 9,000 Soldiers and Airmen of the Iowa National Guard and overseeing the Iowa Department of Public Defense. His military career spans more than four decades of service to the state and nation.
“Major General Osborn has dedicated his life to serving our state and country, and Iowa is stronger because of his leadership,” said Governor Kim Reynolds. “Throughout his time as Adjutant General, Steve has led our Soldiers and Airmen through an extraordinary period of operational demands at home and around the world. He has always kept the mission and, most importantly, our people and their families at the forefront. I am deeply grateful for his service, his steady leadership and the partnership we have shared. Kevin and I wish Steve and his wife Kathy much happiness and fulfillment in retirement.”
Osborn enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1984 and was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 1990. He joined the Iowa Army National Guard in 1992 and has served in numerous command and staff positions throughout his career, including deployments in support of the Persian Gulf War, Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the State of Iowa, its citizens, and especially the Soldiers and Airmen of the Iowa National Guard,” said Osborn. “I am deeply appreciative of Governor Reynolds’ trust, support and leadership. Her steadfast commitment to the Iowa National Guard and Department of Public Defense has enabled our organization to continue meeting critical state and federal missions while never losing sight of our responsibility to care for our people and their families.”
During Osborn’s tenure as Adjutant General, the Iowa National Guard has continued to support significant state, national and overseas missions while maintaining a strong focus on readiness, recruiting and retention, modernization, and the enduring relationship between the Guard and the Iowa communities it serves.
“Our success has always been about our people,” Osborn added. “I could not be more proud of the professionalism, dedication and sacrifice of our Soldiers, Airmen, civilian employees and their families. They represent the very best of Iowa, and it has been my privilege to serve alongside them.”
Additional information regarding the leadership transition and a retirement ceremony honoring Osborn’s more than four decades of military service will be announced at a later date.
