Alewel promoted to brigadier general

Randy Alewel, who lives in Warrensburg, was recently promoted from the rank of colonel to brigadier general in the Missouri Army National Guard.

Alewel, who has been with the Missouri Guard for 30 years, is the commander of the 35th Engineer Brigade at Fort Leonard Wood.

“I’m very excited,” Alewel said of the promotion. “One of my long-term goals was to be the commander of the 35th Engineer Brigade and with that comes the position of brigadier general. I truly thank all of the noncommissioned officers, enlisted soldiers and other officers who have mentored me throughout my career.  There have been many people that have guided me down the path that has led me to today.”

Having been the brigade commander since April 2010, the promotion was more of a relief than a surprise for Alewel.

“It’s been a long process, so it’s nice to have it finally here,” Alewel said.

Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, Missouri Guard adjutant general, said Alewel possesses all of the characteristics of a quality general officer.

“Brig. Gen. Randy Alewel is a seasoned veteran officer who has the admiration and respect of his peers,” Danner said. “His leadership qualities, both in business and the military, make him well suited to command a brigade.”

Alewel enlisted on Jan. 7, 1981, and completed basic training and advanced individual training that same year. In May 1983, Alewel earned his commission through the University of Missouri ROTC program.

An engineer throughout his military career, Alewel rose in rank and responsibility. He took his first command in April 1988 as a captain with Company A, 110th Engineer Battalion, of Kansas City. In December 2002, Alewel became commander of the 110th Engineer Battalion, of Kansas City, and in October 2005 went on to the 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, of Kansas City.

Alewel has deployed twice — once with the 110th Engineer Battalion from 2003-04 as task force commander in support of Operation Noble Eagle in Fort Sill, Okla.; and the other with the 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade from 2008-09 as the Multinational Task Force East deputy commander maneuver to Kosovo.

Although he’s already put in three decades of service, Alewel said he plans to stick around awhile longer.

“As long as I feel like I’m contributing to the organization to make it better, more efficient and effective, then I’m going to stay in the Guard,” he said.

Alewel is a 1980 graduate of Concordia High School and graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor of science degree in animal science in December 1983. He also earned a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College in 2006.

Alewel is supported in his military career by his wife, Teresa, and his three children, Austin, Kayla and Paige, all of Warrensburg, and his parents, Roger and Ronnie Alewel. Roger Alewel is a retired colonel who served in the Army National Guard and Air Force.

In his civilian career, Alewel is the third-generation owner of Alewel’s Country Meats, a meat processing business that started in 1932 and is now located in Warrensburg.

Alewel, who has run the operation since he graduated from MU, said he appreciated his employees’ contributions to his success as well.

A promotion party for Alewel will begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the University of Missouri Alumni Center in Columbia.

“It will include all of our military friends and family, as well as all of our personal friends and family,” Alewel said. “We encourage everybody to come and celebrate with us.”