Brigadier General Derek Adams

Land Component Commander
Johnston, IA

Brigadier General Derek Adams received his commission in field artillery as a Distinguished Military Graduate from the University of Northern Iowa ROTC program in 1995. He commanded B Battery and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion 194th Field Artillery, and while commanding B Battery he deployed in support of Operation Noble Eagle. He deployed to Kosovo as a battalion S3 (operations officer) as part of NATO’s Kosovo Forces (KFOR) mission, and to Afghanistan as the Fire Support Coordinator for 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division. Upon redeployment from Afghanistan, he assumed command of 1st Battalion 194 Field Artillery.

From 2018 to 2021, BG Adams commanded 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, and from 2020 to 2021, deployed his BCT headquarters to Kosovo and served as the commander of NATO’s KFOR Regional Command East. Post-brigade command assignments include Director of the Joint Staff - Iowa National Guard, Deputy Commanding General of the 34th Infantry Division, and Land Component Commander of the Iowa National Guard, where he is currently assigned. BG Adams is also currently dual-hatted as the Eighth Army Wartime G3 (operations executive) in Korea.

BG Adams is a graduate of the field artillery officer basic course, field artillery captains career course, command and general staff college, the Air War College, numerous pre-command courses at the battalion and brigade levels, joint task force commander course, dual-status commander course, US Army senior leader development seminar, aviation senior leader course, and the Syracuse University national security management course.

BG Adams has been awarded the Legion of Merit (2), Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal (6), Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, and Air Assault Badge, among others. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Northern Iowa, a master’s degree in strategic studies from the Air War College, and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Iowa. In his civilian career, he practiced inpatient clinical pharmacy at a private sector regional hospital for 12 years before transitioning to inpatient pharmacy supervisor at the Iowa City VA Medical Center in 2014. He was promoted to Associate Chief of Pharmacy at the in 2016. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pharmacy with the University of Iowa.