Major General David P. Rataczak assumed the duties of The Adjutant
General, Arizona National Guard on June 1, 1999. This assignment follows three years as Assistant Adjutant General, Army and then seven years as the Chief of Staff, Arizona Army National Guard.
His military education includes the U. S. Army Aviation School where he received instruction in various fixed and rotary wing aircraft; the
Transportation Officer Basic Course, 1972; the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, 1979; the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, 1986; and the U.S. Army War College, 1995, where he served as class president.
He enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1965. After completing Aviation training, he was assigned to the 334th Armed Helicopter Company, First Aviation Brigade in Vietnam where he flew over 900 combat hours. Upon his release from Active Duty in 1968, he was appointed as an officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard where he served as Aviation Safety Officer, Platoon Commander, and Company Commander. In 1982, he was transferred to the Arizona Army National Guard where he served as Aviation Operations Officer, Army Airfield Commander, State Aviation Officer, and Commander, 385th Aviation Group and Chief of Staff, Arizona Army National Guard. In
1996, he was appointed as the Assistant Adjutant General, Army.
His major awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Medal (with 37 Oak Leaf Clusters), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Master Army Aviator Badge, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
General Rataczak and his wife, Cheryll, reside in Phoenix, Arizona with their son, Chris. They also have a married daughter, Jennifer, who lives in Colorado.
