Daniel R. Hokanson

Daniel R. Hokanson
Name	Daniel R. Hokanson
Caption	General Daniel R. Hokanson
Birth date	24 June 1963
Birth place	Crescent City, California, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army
Serviceyears	1986–present
Rank	General
Commands	Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, National Guard Bureau, Oregon National Guard, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team
Battles	Iraq War, War in Afghanistan
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2), Bronze Star Medal (2)

Daniel R. Hokanson is a senior officer in the United States Army who currently serves as the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army. A career Army National Guard officer, he previously served as the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, a role in which he was the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on matters pertaining to the National Guard of the United States. His extensive career includes command positions at multiple levels, operational deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan, and key leadership roles within the Department of Defense.

Early life and education

Daniel R. Hokanson was born on June 24, 1963, in Crescent City, California. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army through the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1986, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. He later earned a Master of Science in aerospace engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and is also a graduate of the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he received a master's degree in strategic studies. His early military education includes the Army Aviation School at Fort Rucker.

Military career

Following his commissioning, Hokanson began his career as an aviation officer. He served in various command and staff positions within the Army National Guard, including with the Oregon National Guard. His operational deployments include serving as the Deputy Commanding General of the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa and later as the Deputy Commanding General for the 10th Mountain Division during its deployment to Afghanistan. He commanded the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team and later served as the Adjutant General for the state of Oregon. In 2015, he was promoted to lieutenant general and assumed duties as the Director of the Army National Guard at the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Virginia.

Chief of the National Guard Bureau

Hokanson was nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate to become the Chief of the National Guard Bureau in 2020, with a promotion to the rank of general. In this role, he served as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and was responsible for ensuring the nearly 450,000 soldiers and airmen of the National Guard of the United States were ready for federal and state missions. His tenure focused on modernizing the Guard, enhancing its readiness for homeland defense and disaster response operations, and advocating for the force's resources and capabilities before the United States Congress.

Vice Chief of Staff of the Army

In 2022, Hokanson was nominated by President Joe Biden to become the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army. Upon confirmation, he succeeded General James C. McConville in this senior Army leadership position. As Vice Chief, he is the second-highest-ranking officer in the United States Army and assists the Chief of Staff of the United States Army in managing the Army's vast budget, personnel policies, and modernization efforts, including the ambitious Next Generation Combat Vehicle and Future Vertical Lift programs.

Awards and decorations

Hokanson's personal awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, two awards of the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster), the Air Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal (with oak leaf cluster). He also wears the Army Staff Identification Badge, the Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.

Personal life

General Hokanson is married and has two children. He is known for his advocacy for soldier and family readiness programs. In his personal time, he is an avid outdoorsman, with interests that include flying, hiking, and skiing, reflecting his background as an Army aviator and his upbringing in the Pacific Northwest.

Category:1963 births Category:Living people Category:United States Army generals Category:United States Military Academy alumni Category:Georgia Institute of Technology alumni Category:United States Army War College alumni Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal Category:People from Crescent City, California