Archive for the ‘Georgia National Guard’ Category

Get ready for another special election, as Nathan Deal – even from far-away China – continues to use the Legislature as his talent pool. From the governor’s office:

Gov. Nathan Deal has named Rep. Tim Bearden of Villa Rica as his choice for director of the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. Upon approval by the Georgia Board of Public Safety, Bearden would replace Dale Mann, who is retiring from the post after more than 25 years of service, and take office effective Nov.1. …

Bearden began his career in law enforcement as a patrolman in Villa Rica in 1990. He was later named sergeant of the Motorcycle Division of the Douglasville Police Department, earning the honor of Officer of the Year in 2003

During his tenure in the Motorcycle Division, Bearden participated in undercover narcotics operations and drug interdictions. He completed more than 1000 hours of law enforcement training before stepping down in 2004 and attended Mercer University.

Bearden was also a …

Continue reading Nathan Deal again raids the Legislature for an appointment »

Gov. Nathan Deal has begun filling some of the blanks at the Georgia National Guard. From the Gainesville Times:

Gainesville native Joe Jarrard is Georgia’s new deputy adjutant general.

Gov. Nathan Deal named the retired lieutenant colonel to the post Friday, lauding Jarrard for his “long and distinguished history of service to the country,” including two active tours of duty in Iraq and 25 months of civilian service in Afghanistan….

Jarrard returned Tuesday from Afghanistan, where he was part of the Counterinsurgency Advisory and Assistance Team, formerly under the command of Gen. David Petraeus….

Deal’s appointment “came out of nowhere,” Jarrard said. “But I’m very honored and looking forward to the challenge. I’ve basically been a soldier most of my life, so it’s good to be back in that business.”

The press release issued by the governor’s office on Friday made no mention of the woman Jarrad will replace, Major Gen. Maria Britt, who resigned when the governor put an …

Continue reading Filling in blanks at the Georgia National Guard »

Last week, Gov. Nathan Deal announced the appointment of a new adjutant general to lead the 14,000 men and women who make up the Georgia National Guard.

State Sen. Jim Butterworth, R-Cornelia, a Delta Air Lines pilot who once flew B-1 bombers for the Georgia Air National Guard, will replace Major Gen. Terry Nesbitt, who has headed up the state Department of Defense and its $630 million-a-year budget for four years.

State Sen. Jim Butterworth (right) talks with Sen. Butch Miller, R-Gainesville, during this year’s HOPE scholarship debate. Jason Getz, jgetz@ajc.com

Whether the governor intended it or not, Butterworth’s appointment has resulted in an unadvertised purging of the Guard’s top ranks.

Three days after her commanding officer was informed he would be replaced, Major Gen. Maria Britt — commander of Georgia’s Army National Guard and the highest-ranking woman in its history — let her troops know that she would be leaving, too.

“In the very near future, I will …

Continue reading A week of general turmoil for Georgia’s National Guard »