The Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard

Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke

Major General Shawn Manke assumed duties as Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard in August 2020. General Manke is a Distinguished Military Graduate from the Army ROTC program at the University of North Dakota. He commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Aviation branch in May 1991. After attending the Aviation Officer Basic Course and flight school, General Manke was assigned to C Co, 6-159 Aviation Regiment in Giebelstadt, Germany, where he served as an Assault Platoon Leader, Company Operations Officer, and Eagle Flight Detachment Commander while deployed in support of Operation Provide Comfort in Northern Iraq. After attending the Aviation Officer Advanced Course, General Manke was assigned to the 4th Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. He served as the Assistant Brigade S3, Division Aviation Liaison Officer, and B Co, 2-4th Aviation Commander.

After leaving the active Army as a Captain, General Manke joined the Minnesota National Guard. Prior to his current assignment, General Manke was the full-time Joint Chief of Staff for the Minnesota National Guard. In addition to numerous staff positions, he has commanded the 2-147th Assault Helicopter Battalion and the 34th Combat Aviation Brigade while serving in the Minnesota National Guard. General Manke deployed in support of Operation Provide Comfort (Northern Iraq), Operation Joint Guardian (Kosovo), and Operation Iraqi Freedom. General Manke most recently served as Assistant Division Commander – Operations for the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division.

He is a graduate of the United States Army War College, Command and General Staff College, Aviation Officer Advanced and Basic Course, Air Assault Course and Airborne School.