Minnesota Army National Guard to promote first female to role of Assistant Adjutant General

April 1, 2016 (ST. PAUL, Minnesota) — Army Col. Johanna P. Clyborne will be promoted to the rank of Brigadier General during a pinning ceremony, Apr. 2 in Rosemount. Clyborne is the first woman to achieve the rank of Brigadier General in the Minnesota Army National Guard.

“Col. Clyborne is a proven leader in the Minnesota National Guard, she excelled while in brigade command, and is a sought after mentor for soldiers across the formation,” said Minnesota National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Richard C. Nash. “Clyborne is a true citizen soldier, working each day as an acclaimed attorney yet always standing ready to put on her uniform and serve her country whenever duty calls.”

Clyborne joined the National Guard in 1989, as a Technical Drafting Specialist and commissioned in 1992 after graduating Officer Candidate School. She served in the Missouri, Texas and California National Guard prior to joining the Minnesota National Guard in 2002. Clyborne has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2008 to 2010 as the 34th Infantry Division’s Deputy of Military Intelligence. Clyborne also served as the first female Brigade Commander as the commander of the 347th Regional Support Group. Clyborne was selected as a resident Army War College Military Fellow in the International Securities Studies Program at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, in Boston, Massachusetts. She is a 2013 Army War College graduate.

“Col. Johanna Clyborne is a model citizen-soldier. For nearly three decades, Col. Clyborne has balanced the rigors of serving our country, while demonstrating an exemplary commitment to volunteer work,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith.”I commend Col. Clyborne on this promotion and on her work in the community. I am confident she will continue to serve the people of our state and nation with honor and distinction.”

Clyborne is a 2005 graduate of the University of Saint Thomas Law School, and is a founding partner and shareholder at the law firm of Brekke, Clyborne and Ribich, LLC where she specializes in Family Law involving members of the Armed Forces and criminal law. She has been a real advocate for military members and families, presenting numerous Continuing Legal Education seminars and classes on military family law, the Service members Civil Relief Act, and military pension division. She has been selected as a Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Star four times.

“I congratulate Colonel Johanna P. Clyborne for her well-deserved promotion to the rank of Brigadier General,” said Governor Mark Dayton. “Colonel Clyborne is an exceptional civilian soldier, who has been recognized as a “Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Star” and has served many worthy causes in her community. Her tremendous achievements within the Minnesota Army National Guard deserve our recognition and appreciation.”

Brig. Gen. Clyborne will serve as the Assistant Adjutant General- Army, where she will be responsible for command supervision of Minnesota Army National Guard units by providing oversight and leadership for all matters pertaining to manning, operations, readiness, training and equipping units.

The promotion ceremony will take place Saturday, Apr. 2 at the Rosemount National Guard Armory, 13865 S Robert Trail, Rosemount, MN 55068.

For more information on the Minnesota National Guard, visit www.MinnesotaNationalGuard.org.