Major General Sidwell was born July 13, 1950 in Sikeston, Missouri.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1972.  In 1975 he earned a Juris Doctorate in Law from the University of Missouri-Columbia.  Major General Sidwell completed a Master of Strategic Studies through the United States Army War College in 2000.

His military education includes:  Engineer Officer Basic Course, Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course, Judge Advocate Officer Advanced Course, Engineer Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, Engineer Pre-command Courses, and the U.S. Army War College.

 Major General Sidwell was prior enlisted from 1972 to 1974 until receiving his commission on August 10, 1974 upon completion of State Officer Candidate School at the Missouri Military Academy.  Major General Sidwell’s numerous assignments include:  Engineer Reconnaissance Officer, Battalion Executive Officer, Detachment Commander, Group Trial Counsel, Group Operations Officer, Brigade Engineer Supply Officer, Battalion S-3, Group S-1, Environmental Officer, Area Damage Control Officer, Group S-3, Brigade Executive Officer, Chief Military Support Officer, and Director of Maintenance for Headquarters STARC in Jefferson City.  In addition to the above duties, Brigadier General Sidwell served as Company Commander for Charlie Company, 1140^th Engineer Combat Battalion (Corps).  As a Lieutenant Colonel he commanded the 1140^th Engineer Battalion from August 1998 to February 2001.  As a Colonel he commanded the Engineer Brigade, 35^th Infantry Division from February 2002 to June 2004.  Upon completion of his command assignment with the Engineer Brigade, 35^th Infantry Division, he assumed the position of Assistant Corps Engineer, 35^th Engineer Brigade (Corps) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri until transfer to the Retired Reserves.  He was recalled from the Retired Reserve to become the Adjutant General of the Missouri National Guard, 27 January 2005.

 Major General Sidwell’s awards and citation include:  Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (1 Silver Hourglass Device), Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (Numeral 7), and the Bronze Order of the De Fleury Medal (the Army Engineer Association).

Major General Sidwell was formerly a partner in Blanton, Rice, Sidwell, Nickell, Cozean & Collins, L.L.C., Attorneys at Law, in Sikeston, Missouri.

 Major General Sidwell’s military affiliations include the National Guard Associations (MoNGA, NGAUS, and AGAUS), the Army Engineer Association, the Association of the United States Army, the United State Army War College Alumni Association, and the Military Officers Association of America.

 Major General Sidwell’s civic and professional affiliations include the American Bar Association, Missouri State Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, Defense Research Institute, Sikeston Area Chamber of commerce, Sikeston Area United Way Board of Directors, Southeast Missouri Boy Scout Council Board of Directors (past Scoutmaster and District Chairman), Kiwanis Club of Sikeston (past President and District Lieutenant Governor), and the First United Methodist Church of Sikeston.