Major General retires after 30 years of service

  • Published
  • By Capt. Penny Ripperger
  • 119th Wing Public Affairs
Maj.Gen. Terry L. Scherling will end her successful military career at the same place it began more than 30 years ago during a retirement ceremony at the 119th Wing, N.D. Air National Guard at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Scherling is a second generation Happy Hooligan to retire as a major general; her father, Maj.Gen. Darrol Schroeder also served in the N.D. Air National Guard.

She is the only female with the rank of major general to begin her military career in the North Dakota Air National Guard.

"There is no doubt that Maj.Gen. Scherling is highly respected at the North Dakota Air Guard. We are honored by the fact that she chose to come back to North Dakota to celebrate this monumental day. That says a great deal about the relationship she continues to share with North Dakota and the Happy Hooligans," said Maj.Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, N.D. National Guard Adjutant General.

While in North Dakota, Scherling will also be the guest speaker at the annual Outstanding Airman of the Year Banquet scheduled for Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Moorhead, Minn.

Currently Scherling serves as the Special Assistant to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Va. Prior to her current assignment, she served as the Director of the Joint Staff at the National Guard Bureau. She also served as Deputy Director Antiterrorism/Homeland Defense, Operations Directorate, The Joint Staff, Pentagon.

Scherling, a native of Davenport, N.D., enlisted in the North Dakota Air National Guard in 1975 and graduated from North Dakota State University in 1977. She served with the Happy Hooligans until she moved to Washington, D.C. in 1994.

Her major awards and decorations include: Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal.

Scherling has one son, Nicholas who resides in Falls Church, Va. and is employed in the Operations and Technology Office with the US Army.

She resides in Alexandria,Va. where she is president and CEO of TENICA, a national and homeland defense consulting company.

To attend the retirement ceremony, please contact Capt. Penny Ripperger, 119th Wing Public Affairs Officer, at 701-451-2194 to arrange an escort on base.


What: Retirement ceremony for Maj.Gen. Terry L. Scherling

When: Saturday, Jan. 17 at 2:00 p.m.

Where: N.D. Air National Guard, 1400 32nd Ave N, Fargo, N.D.

Please contact Capt. Penny Ripperger at 701-451-2194 to arrange a media escort on base.

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