DES MOINES — Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn, who leads nearly 9,000 Iowa National Guard soldiers and airmen, will retire January 16, 2027, closing a military career that began with his enlistment in the U.S. Army in 1984.
Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa National Guard announced the retirement Wednesday, October 21. Osborn has served as Iowa’s 28th adjutant general since 2023 and also directs the Iowa Department of Public Defense.
The announcement did not name his successor. Details about the leadership transition and a retirement ceremony will be released later.
Reynolds praises Osborn’s leadership
Reynolds credited Osborn with guiding Iowa’s soldiers and airmen through demanding assignments at home and overseas while keeping military families a priority.
“Major General Osborn has dedicated his life to serving our state and country, and Iowa is stronger because of his leadership,” Reynolds said.
“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.”
Reynolds said she and her husband, Kevin, wished Osborn and his wife, Kathy, happiness in retirement.
From Army enlistment to Iowa’s top Guard post
A Davenport native, Osborn enlisted in the Army in July 1984. He received his commission as an infantry officer through the University of Alabama in 1990 and transferred to the Iowa Army National Guard in 1992.
His military service has included deployments supporting the Persian Gulf War, Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Before becoming adjutant general, Osborn held several senior leadership assignments. He commanded the 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry, and the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division. He also served as director of the Joint Staff and land component commander.
Reynolds appointed him adjutant general in 2023.
State and overseas missions marked his tenure
During Osborn’s time leading the Iowa National Guard, the organization has supported state, national and overseas missions while focusing on readiness, recruiting, retention and modernization, according to the governor’s office.
Earlier this year, Reynolds and Osborn visited Iowa National Guard soldiers and airmen serving in the Middle East, meeting with deployed personnel supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
NIT also reported in May on plans to send about 120 Iowa National Guard soldiers to Washington, D.C., for America’s 250th anniversary security mission.
Osborn said serving Iowa and its military personnel had been the defining privilege of his career.
“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,” he said.
He thanked Reynolds for her support, saying it helped the Guard and Department of Public Defense meet state and federal responsibilities while caring for personnel and their families.
Retirement ceremony details to come
Osborn credited the Guard’s accomplishments to its soldiers, airmen, civilian employees and families.
“Our success has always been about our people,” he said. “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.”
The governor’s office said additional information about the leadership transition and a ceremony honoring Osborn’s more than four decades of military service will be announced at a later date.