Jamestown man promoted to colonel

David Shaul, Jamestown, commander of the Missouri National Guard's 140th Regiment, Missouri Regional Training Institute was promoted to the rank of colonel during a ceremony at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City recently. Shaul also wore a second uniform for many years, that of Missouri Highway Patrolman.

He retired from the patrol on July 1, after 33 years of service. He graduated from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy in 1980, when he became a Trooper. In 1997, he was promoted to lieutenant. At the time of his retirement, Shaul was assistant director of the Training Division.

In addition to the patrol academy, Shaul is a graduate of Central Missouri State University, with a B.S. in criminal justice, Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, and the U.S. Army War College with a master's degree in strategic studies.

His military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Army Achievement Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.

According to Brig. Gen. Greg Mason, Shaul's vast experience both as a drilling National Guard Soldier and a Missouri Highway Patrolman make him an ideal selection to lead the Guard's training efforts. Mason is Assistant Adjutant General for maneuver and a peer of Shaul's from both the Guard and Patrol.

According to Maj. Gen. Steve Danner, Adjutant General of Missouri, the newly promoted colonel has a critical role in training future generations of Citizen-Soldiers during a critical time in Army history.

"I'm not only pleased to promote Col. Shaul, but proud," Danner said. "This promotion is not simply a reward for what Col. Shaul has done, but reflects our expectations for the future. He was hand-picked to take command of the Regional Training Institute during a time of change in the Army National Guard."

"Col. Shaul has served the state of Missouri in both green and blue uniforms," Mason said. "The adjutant general has entrusted a lot in him, and we have confidence in him."

During his remarks, Shaul spoke of the importance of solid, moral leadership in training, particularly true in the difficult times the nation now faces.

"The key to facing these things is simple: basic human respect for people. We've all earned it, and we all deserve it. Respect is a God-given right," Shaul said.

Shaul and his wife Joyce reside in the Jamestown area.