Chief of the National Guard Bureau

Chief of the National Guard Bureau is a high-ranking position in the United States Armed Forces, specifically within the National Guard of the United States. The Chief of the National Guard Bureau is a four-star general who serves as the senior uniformed officer of the National Guard Bureau, overseeing the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. The Chief works closely with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, and the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force to ensure the readiness and effectiveness of the National Guard. The Chief also interacts with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Army, and the Secretary of the Air Force on matters related to the National Guard.

● History of

the Position The position of Chief of the National Guard Bureau was established in 1903 with the passage of the Militia Act of 1903, which created the National Guard Bureau as a federal agency responsible for overseeing the National Guard. The first Chief of the National Guard Bureau was Major General Erasmus M. Weaver Jr., who served from 1908 to 1911. Over the years, the position has evolved to include a wider range of responsibilities, including homeland security and disaster response, in addition to its traditional role in supporting the United States Army and the United States Air Force. The Chief has worked with notable figures such as General Dwight D. Eisenhower, General Omar Bradley, and General Colin Powell to shape the role of the National Guard in World War II, the Korean War, and the Gulf War. The Chief has also collaborated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on disaster response and recovery efforts.

● Responsibilities and Authority

The Chief of the National Guard Bureau is responsible for advising the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, and the Congress of the United States on matters related to the National Guard. The Chief also serves as the National Guard's representative to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and works closely with the Chief of Staff of the United States Army and the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force to ensure the National Guard's readiness and effectiveness. The Chief has authority over the National Guard Bureau's budget and personnel, and works with the National Guard Association of the United States and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States to support the interests of National Guard personnel. The Chief has also worked with the Pentagon, the White House, and the United States Congress to develop policies and legislation related to the National Guard, such as the National Defense Authorization Act.

● List of Chiefs of

the National Guard Bureau The following is a list of Chiefs of the National Guard Bureau: * Major General Erasmus M. Weaver Jr. (1908-1911) * Major General Robert K. Evans (1911-1915) * Major General Albert L. Mills (1915-1917) * Major General Jesse McI. Carter (1917-1921) * Major General George C. Marshall (1921-1925) * Lieutenant General Daniel Isom Sultan (1925-1930) * Lieutenant General John F. O'Ryan (1930-1935) * Lieutenant General William H. Simpson (1935-1940) * Lieutenant General Lesley J. McNair (1940-1944) * General Jacob L. Devers (1944-1945) * General Thomas T. Handy (1945-1947) * General Omar Bradley (1947-1949) * General J. Lawton Collins (1949-1953) * General Matthew B. Ridgway (1953-1955) * General Maxwell D. Taylor (1955-1959) * General Lyman L. Lemnitzer (1959-1960) * General Curtis E. LeMay (1960-1965) * General John P. McConnell (1965-1969) * General Bruce K. Holloway (1969-1972) * General Russell E. Dougherty (1972-1974) * General David C. Jones (1974-1978) * General Lew Allen Jr. (1978-1982) * General Charles A. Gabriel (1982-1986) * General Larry D. Welch (1986-1990) * General Michael D. McGinn (1990-1993) * General John M. Shalikashvili (1993-1997) * General Joseph W. Ralston (1997-2000) * General Richard B. Myers (2000-2001) * General Ralph E. Eberhart (2001-2004) * General Norton A. Schwartz (2004-2008) * General Craig R. McKinley (2008-2012) * General Frank J. Grass (2012-2016) * General Joseph L. Lengyel (2016-2020) * General Daniel R. Hokanson (2020-present)

● Selection and Appointment

The Chief of the National Guard Bureau is selected by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. The selection process typically involves a thorough review of candidates by the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as consultation with the National Guard Association of the United States and other stakeholders. The Chief is typically a four-star general with extensive experience in the National Guard and a strong record of leadership and achievement. The Chief has worked with notable figures such as General Martin E. Dempsey, General Raymond T. Odierno, and General Mark A. Milley to develop policies and strategies for the National Guard.

● Role

in the Chain of Command The Chief of the National Guard Bureau plays a critical role in the chain of command, serving as the senior uniformed officer of the National Guard Bureau and advising the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, and the Congress of the United States on matters related to the National Guard. The Chief works closely with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, to ensure the National Guard's readiness and effectiveness. The Chief also interacts with the National Security Council, the Department of State, and the Department of Energy on matters related to national security and defense. The Chief has worked with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), and the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) to develop strategies and plans for the National Guard.

● Current Chief and Staff

The current Chief of the National Guard Bureau is General Daniel R. Hokanson, who has served in this position since 2020. General Hokanson has a strong background in the National Guard, having served as the Deputy Chief of the National Guard Bureau and as the Adjutant General of the United States. The Chief is supported by a staff of senior officers and civilians, including the Deputy Chief of the National Guard Bureau, the Chief of Staff of the National Guard Bureau, and the Director of the National Guard Bureau. The Chief and staff work closely with the National Guard Association of the United States, the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, and other stakeholders to support the interests of National Guard personnel and to ensure the National Guard's readiness and effectiveness. The Chief has also worked with the Pentagon, the White House, and the United States Congress to develop policies and legislation related to the National Guard, such as the National Defense Authorization Act. The Chief has collaborated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security on matters related to homeland security and counterterrorism.

Category:United States National Guard