Chairman's Award
2006 Recipient
Michael Haugen
Major General (Ret.) Michael J. Haugen served as adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard until his retirement in August 2006. A native of Valley City, N.D., Haugen earned a bachelor's degree in social science from Minot State University in 1972. His is a graduate of Marine Corp Command and Staff College; National Defense University; Air War College; U.S. Department of State Senior Seminar; and the Regional Security Studies Program at Harvard University.
Haugen enlisted in the North Dakota Air National Guard in 1967 and served in aircraft maintenance, He completed undergraduate pilot training in 1972 and is a command pilot with more than 11,000 hours of flying time in a variety of aircraft. He has served in various assignments and command positions with the North Dakota National Guard at the squadron, group, wing levels and at state headquarters. Before becoming adjutant general, he was the assistant to the director of plans at North American Aerospace Defense Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO.
As adjutant general, Haugen commanded 4,500 North Dakota Air and Army National Guard men and women and was responsible for managing approximately 1,100 fulltime federal and state employees and was director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services.
During Haugen's career he earned many awards, including the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, the North Dakota Distinguished Service Medal and the North Dakota Legion of Merit Medal.
