BISMARCK, N.D. (NDNG) – The North Dakota National Guard’s Land Component Command (LCC) welcomed a new leader after wishing a former commander well upon his future retirement.

Brig. Gen. Robert Fode was honored prior to his official retirement in October in front of an audience of friends, family and fellow Guardsmen. He then handed off duties as Land Component commander to Col. Leo Ryan during a change of command ceremony today at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck. The LCC of the N.D. National Guard is assigned nearly 3,000 N.D. Army National Guard Soldiers.

“It’s been my honor to serve with Brig. Gen. Fode. He has left an incredible legacy, one that can be emulated by all leaders in our organization. The care he has shown for his Soldiers has been inspiring and we wish him well in the future,” said Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota adjutant general. “I know that our Army Guardsmen will continue to benefit from strong, competent leadership under Col. Leo Ryan. He is the right person, chosen at the right time, to lead our Soldiers in the North Dakota Army National Guard.”

Fode has commanded the Land Component since April 2014. In October, he will have culminated a four-decade-long military career. A native of Mobridge, South Dakota, Fode enlisted in the N.D. Army National Guard in 1978 as a motor transport operator. In 1985, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the engineer branch after attending Officer Candidate School. He has held myriad key leadership positions throughout his career, including serving as a platoon leader, executive officer and commander within units of the 164th Engineer Battalion. Additionally, he served as the operations officer for the 142nd Engineer Combat Battalion.

From December 2003 – February 2005, Fode commanded the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion during the unit’s deployment to Iraq. He mobilized again for a NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo in 2009, serving as the deputy commander, Multinational Battle Group East with Kosovo Forces, or KFOR 12. Upon his return, Fode was assigned as the director of the Joint Staff for the N.D. National Guard before assuming duties as the Land Component commander.

A traditional Guardsman, Fode is employed by the N.D. Department of Transportation. He has worked for the agency since 1993 and currently is assigned as the director for the Office of Project Development.

“Today is not about me; it is about you all and the future of this organization,” Fode said while addressing the formation of Soldiers at the ceremony. “I am excited to see the horizons to which Col. Ryan will lead our Soldiers. Thank you all for everything you do, and it has been an honor to serve with you.”

Fode was awarded the North Dakota Distinguished Service Medal during the ceremony for his more than four decades of service. He has earned a number of other military awards throughout his career, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Army Commendation Medal (2 awards), Iraqi Campaign Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

As Fode thanked the audience, Ryan accepted duties as the new LCC commander and addressed the Soldiers and family members in attendance.

“Thank you Maj. Gen. Dohrmann for putting your trust in me, and I truly appreciate the support of everyone here today,” Ryan said during the ceremony. “I look forward to continuing to enable our Soldiers to receive the training they need to accomplish our mission, and will empower you to continue to support our communities, state and nation.”

Ryan brings more than three decades of experience to his new assignment as land component commander. He enlisted in 1985 as a bridge crewman in the 957th Engineering Company. In 1992, he completed Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He has held a number of leadership positions throughout his military career, to include commanding the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment; the N.D. Army National Guard’s Officer Candidate School and the 164th Regiment Regional Training Institute.

Ryan twice has served overseas during federal mobilizations. In 1990, he deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm as a squad leader in the 132nd Quartermaster Company. He deployed again in 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the executive officer for the 164th Engineer Battalion.

In his civilian profession, Ryan is an owner and practicing attorney of Dalsted and Ryan, P.C., which has offices in Jamestown and Carrington, North Dakota.