The Old Blog in the Desert

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo announced Tuesday, September 3, that Brig. Gen. D. Rodger “Dan” Waters has been selected as the 31st Adjutant General for the State of Nevada, making him the senior-ranking officer in the Nevada National Guard.

“I am honored to appoint General Waters as the new Adjutant General for the Nevada National Guard,” Lombardo said. “His extensive experience, both in domestic operations and overseas assignments, along with his deep commitment to Nevada, make him the ideal leader for our state’s military forces. I am confident that General Waters will continue to uphold the legacy of excellence that has long defined the Nevada National Guard.”

Waters is the first Nevada Army Guardsman to hold the position since 1983, marking a shift from the Nevada Air National Guard, whose members have filled the role for the past six terms. The change of command ceremony is Saturday, October 19, at the Reno Ballroom inside the Grand Sierra Resort.

Waters has a decorated military career spanning nearly four decades. Most recently, he served as the Director of the Joint Staff for the Nevada National Guard, overseeing state joint operations and domestic emergency responses.

He enlisted in the military in 1985 before being commissioned as a Distinguished Honor Graduate from the Aviation Officer Basic Course in 1992. Over the years, Waters has flown numerous aircraft and held several command positions within the Nevada Army National Guard, including stints overseas in Afghanistan and Germany.

His notable overseas assignments include serving as the Afghan National Army Operations Officer for Combined Joint Task Force 82 (2007-2008) and as Division Chief at U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany (2017-2020). Upon his return to Nevada in 2020, Waters served as Chief of Staff to Berry until taking on his role as Director of the Joint Staff earlier this year.

His accolades include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Meritorious Service Medal. His education credentials are equally impressive, with a Bachelor of Science from the University of the State of New York, an MBA from the University of Nevada, Reno, and an executive certificate in public leadership from Harvard University.

Outgoing Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Ondra Berry, who has served since 2019, praised Waters as the “consummate Army officer.”

“Brigadier General Waters loves Nevada, he loves the military, he loves the mission, and he cares about our Guardsmen and women,” Berry said. “Our state’s military force will remain in good hands with Brigadier General Waters as the Adjutant General.”

Waters expressed his gratitude, thanking Lombardo for the appointment and recognizing Berry for his leadership.

“I look forward to a bright future for our great state and the Nevada National Guard,” Waters said.

In addition to his military service, Waters has been active in the Nevada community, serving with organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America, the American Legion, and the Rotary Club of Reno Sunrise.