Brig. Gen. Scott Petrik retires after 39 years of service
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Director of the Joint Staff for the South Dakota National Guard Brigadier General Scott Petrik has retired after 39 years of service. He was honored with a retirement ceremony on March 4, at the Joint Force Headquarters on Camp Rapid.
Petrik held several key leadership and staff positions during his years of service including:
- The Officer Candidate School Battalion Commander
- 196th Regional Training Institute Commander
- Army Chief of Staff
- Director of the Joint Staff
Photos of Brig. Gen. Petrik’s retirement
He has received multiple awards like:
- The Bronze Star
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Army Commendation Medal
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal
- The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Photo courtesy South Dakota National Guard Facebook.
South Dakota National Guard Adjutant General Major General Jeff Marlette presented Brig. Gen. Petrik the Legion of Merit award for his 39 years of service, and Maj. Gen. Jeff Marlette thanked Petrik and his family for their service and commitment to the South Dakota National Guard.
“The most fortunate thing of being a member of the South Dakota National Guard is this is a family-based organization,” said Brig. Gen. Petrik. “The Guard is an extended family, and I would not have had the career that I did without the support of both my family and the Guard family.”
Petrik’s children each presented heart-felt speeches praising their father for his dedication to the military and his family and the continual support they received from their mother.
Petrik began his military service in 1983 with the 109th Engineer Group as a Combat Wire Installer before receiving his commission as an Engineer officer in July 1990 from the South Dakota Military Academy. He was also deployed to Afghanistan from 2004 to 2005 with the 109th Engineer Group.
Brig. Gen. Petrik’ father, Brig. Gen. Stan Petrik, retired from the South Dakota National as the Army Assistant Adjutant General, and his son, Garrett, was recently promoted to Captain and serves as the 881st Headquarters Company Commander in the South Dakota National Guard.
