Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 29, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gen. Barlow retires; Locke praises his leadership, service

OLYMPIA — Major General Gregory P. Barlow has announced his retirement from the National Guard and from his post as The Adjutant General of the Washington National Guard, which is headquartered in Tacoma. The retirement is effective on Sept. 10, 1999.

Barlow, 60, has commanded the Washington Army and Air National Guard since Sept. 1, 1989. The Army National Guard has an authorized strength of more than 5,600 soldiers, and the Air National Guard is authorized 2,700 airmen.

"Greg Barlow has been an outstanding adjutant general for three governors," Gov. Gary Locke said. "He exemplifies the highest ideals in military service to his country. I admire his leadership and the quality of his advice. He has been superb, and I will miss him."

Barlow will also retire from the National Guard.

A special committee will conduct the search for Barlow's successor.

"It has been professionally and personally rewarding to be the steward of the Washington National Guard for the past 10 years," Barlow said. "I deeply appreciate Governor Locke's leadership, legislative support, and citizen involvement in maintaining an organization that is the highest quality I've experienced in my 35 years of service."

Barlow grew up in West Virginia and Burien and graduated from Seattle University with a master's degree in administration in 1966. His military education and training included the following: Infantry Officer Basic Course, 1966; Airborne Training, 1966; Officer Fixed Wing Aviation Course, 1967; Rotary Wing Qualification Course, 1973; Armor Officer Advance Course, 1975; U.S. Army Military Police School Security Management Class, 1978; U.S. Army Command and General Staff Course, 1979; U.S. Army Armor School Pre-Command Course, and National Guard Professional Education Center Counter-Terrorism Training Course, 1982; Harvard Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security, 1987; and U.S. Army War College Adjutants General National Security Seminar 2 (1991), 3 (1992), and 5 (1994).

The general began his military career in 1964 when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). He entered into active duty on March 27, 1966. He served in Vietnam from June 1967 to December 1968 as a Special Forces aviation officer, completing more than 1,000 combat flight hours.

He received an appointment in the Washington Army National Guard on Jan. 10, 1970. He has served as the brigade commander, 81st Infantry Brigade; and the Assistant Adjutant General for Army, Washington National Guard. Barlow was selected to command the 81st Infantry Brigade on Nov. 1, 1986. He was promoted to the rank of major general on Jan. 19, 1990, and major general of the Line Aug. 13, 1990.

Barlow was appointed to serve on the panel of experts for a study directed by Congress by the Rand Corporation to assess the structure and mix of Active and Reserve forces. He served on the Reserve Forces Policy Board from 1987 to 1990. The board is the principal policy adviser to the Secretary of Defense on matters relating to the reserve components.

His decorations and awards include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with "V" Device and 24 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Vietnamese Parachutist Badge, Master Aviator Badge, Special Forces Tab, and Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge.

Barlow's current civic affiliations include the Medina Foundation, executive director; Boy Scouts of America, Chief Seattle Council, advisory committee member; Pacific Northwest Grantmakers Forum; Adjutants General Association of the United States, executive committee; Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs; National Guard Associations of the United States and Washington; Association of the United States Army; The Military Order of the World Wars; Special Forces Association; Military Order of the Purple Heart; and Director of the American Legion Foundation of Seattle.

The general is married to the former Eli Karin Ohna of Bergen, Norway. They have two children, Eric and Ona.

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