Topeka ? The head of the Kansas National Guard’s human resources office was fired Friday from the adjutant general’s department for improperly backdating his promotion.

Col. Joe Rose remains with the National Guard, though his membership will not be recommended for renewal. The decision on whether Rose, who has been with the Kansas National Guard for more than 30 years, will be able to stay will not be made until June.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said Rose’s firing from the adjutant general’s department was effective immediately and that he would be required to repay as much as $5,000 in compensation from the promotion.

“It’s probably the most severe action that could be required, and I think it is appropriate for the mistake that was made,” Sebelius said.

Rose, 54, was on vacation and not immediately available for comment. Rose worked full time at the State Defense Building in Topeka. His duties are being handled by the deputy human resource officer, Lt. Col. Ron Martin, until a replacement is named.

The disciplinary action was relayed to Sebelius by Maj. Gen. Greg Gardner, the state adjutant, who rejected Rose’s appeal of an inspector general’s report and recommendation.

“Colonel Rose made a serious mistake,” Sebelius said.

An investigation found that Rose improperly influenced the backdating of his own promotion by nearly a year, giving himself an immediate bonus of at least several thousand dollars. The promotion was approved on Oct. 1, 2001.

Rose also was found to have improperly moved some personnel into desired positions within the Kansas National Guard and to have backdated some of their pay raises as well. Sebelius said she did not know if other action would be taken against those individuals.

The report said Gardner approved a personnel action form authorizing Rose’s promotion on the Guard’s pay scale but that the form lacked an effective date when Gardner signed. Gardner was cleared of wrongdoing by the investigator general.

House Speaker Doug Mays, R-Topeka, said Rose’s firing was appropriate but that the case raised questions about Gardner’s management.

Sebelius expressed her support of Gardner, who also serves as director of emergency management and homeland security. Gardner was appointed adjutant general in 1999 by Gov. Bill Graves and reappointed by Sebelius.