Major General Stephen E. Osborn

The Adjutant General
Johnston, IA
Since: March 2023

Major General Stephen Osborn was appointed by Governor Kim Reynolds as the 28th Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard in March 2023. As Adjutant General, he also serves as the Director of the Department of Public Defense for the state of Iowa and is responsible for supporting the State Partnership Program with Iowa’s partner country, the Republic of Kosovo.

MG Osborn is a native of Davenport, Iowa. He enlisted in the United States Army in July 1984 prior to commissioning as an Infantry Officer through the University of Alabama in 1990. He transferred to the Iowa Army National Guard in 1992 and has served in a variety of command and staff positions to include Commander, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry; Deputy Operations Officer, 34th Infantry Division; G3, Iowa Army National Guard; Commander, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division; Director of the Joint Staff, Iowa National Guard; and Land Component Commander, Iowa Army National Guard.

MG Osborn is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College, and the United States Army War College. He deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in 1991 in support of the Persian Gulf War, to Kosovo in 2004 in support of Operation Joint Guardian, and to Iraq in 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, and Pathfinder Badge.

MG Osborn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alabama, a Master of Public Administration from Drake University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.

MG Osborn and his wife Kathy reside in Johnston, Iowa.