Justin Osberg of Geneva, Illinois, was promoted to Major General on June 7 at Cantigny Park in Wheaton with his spouse, Jessica, and two youngest children, 7-year-old Evan and 4-year-old Juliana, pinning his second star on his Army dress uniform.
Maj. Gen. Osberg was selected as the Deputy, Combined Rear Area Coordinator, Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea, United States Indo-Pacific Command, in February paving the way for his promotion near the 1st Infantry Division Museum in Cantigny Park.
Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, presided over Osberg’s promotion and administered his Oath of Office. Boyd thanked Osberg’s family and the fellow Veterans. “Without our family, our support network, we – all the men and women in uniform – can’t do what we need to do,” Boyd said.
General Osberg has a joyous nature and knows how to get things done, Boyd said. “He is always smiling, and everyone is always laughing around him. But when it is time to get serious, he gets to business.”
When Osberg was the Illinois Army National Guard’s Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, he was put in charge of a task force to confront harmful behaviors such as sexual harassment and sexual assault. “It was a difficult assignment, and he leaned on his civilian experience as a project manager,” Boyd said. The task force helped the Illinois National Guard confront these harmful behaviors. “People now know that if you are going to commit these harmful behaviors such as sexual assault or sexual harassment, you are not going to be standing in our formation anymore.”
Osberg said that being part of the Illinois National Guard has enriched his life with experiences, opportunities and, most importantly, relationships. He recalled his Army Basic Training experience. “We were all different with different childhood experiences,” he said. “Being with them, learning about their lives, taught me empathy and perspective. We had the benefit of going through the same challenging experience and becoming a team.”
In his new position, he is responsible for the Korean rear area under the 2nd Infantry Division/Republic of Korea – U.S. Combined Division. The 2nd Infantry Division deters aggression and maintains peace on the Korean Peninsula; and if deterrence fails, “Fight Tonight” in support of the U.S-Republic of Korea Alliance. General Osberg also coordinates with the U.S. 8th Army.
General Osberg was appointed as the Director of the Joint Staff for the Illinois National Guard in February 2024 overseeing the Illinois National Guard’s domestic operations and international relationships. He previously served as the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General - Army. He has had a long and distinguished career in the Illinois Army National Guard holding key command and staff positions including command of the Chicago-based 108th Sustainment Brigade, which has since been redesignated as the 34th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade.
General Osberg is also a combat veteran with two tours in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan where he served as a key advisor to coalition forces including the Illinois National Guard State Partnership Program partner, Poland. He joined the Army in 1993 as a CH-47 Medium Helicopter Mechanic with the Illinois Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment and now has 32 years of service. He attended the Illinois Army National Guard’s Officer Candidate School and received his commission in August 1997 as an Army Signal Corps Officer.
In his civilian career, he is a Senior Manager for Ernst & Young, LLP where he is responsible for consulting company executives in change management.
“I am incredibly grateful to both my family and to my civilian employer for their support of my military career,” Osberg said. “Without the support of both, I could not continue to serve my state and nation for so long.”
Maj. Gen. Boyd said that Brig. Gen. Osberg is a great example of how a traditional Illinois National Guard Soldier can excel in both military and civilian careers. “It takes commitment, the support of families and the support of employers. Being part of the Illinois National Guard can also enhance family life and civilian careers in addition to the education and financial benefits of service,” General Boyd said. “I am personally grateful for General Osberg’s advice, friendship of many years and for the example he has set for the 13,000 Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen.”
General Osberg was awarded the Legion of Merit twice and the Bronze Star Medal twice. He has numerous other awards and decorations including the Polish Army Medal (Bronze) awarded by the Polish Armed Forces. He was also awarded the Combat Action Badge meaning he engaged the enemy in direct combat.
General Osberg is a native of Arlington Heights, Illinois. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance from the University of Illinois and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois. He lives in Geneva, Illinois, with his spouse, Jessica and has three daughters, Chloe, Ava, Juliana, and a son, Evan.