National Guard General Frank Grass

National Guard General Frank Grass is a renowned United States Army National Guard officer who served as the 27th Chief of the National Guard Bureau, succeeding Craig R. McKinley. General Grass has had a distinguished career, with deployments to Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom, and has worked closely with the United States Department of Defense, United States Army, and United States Air Force. He has also collaborated with international partners, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union. General Grass's leadership and expertise have been recognized by the United States Congress, the Pentagon, and the White House.

● Early Life and Education

General Grass was born on May 19, 1951, in Baltimore, Maryland, and grew up in a family with a strong tradition of military service, including his father, who served in the United States Navy during World War II. He attended Norwich University, a private military academy in Northfield, Vermont, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army National Guard. General Grass later earned a Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and a Master of Science degree in joint warfare from the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. He also attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and the Capstone Military Leadership Program at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C..

● Military Career

General Grass's military career spans over four decades, with assignments in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. He has served in various command and staff positions, including Company Commander of the 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Battalion Executive Officer of the 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, and Brigade Commander of the 28th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. General Grass has also served as the Deputy Director of the Army National Guard, and as the Director of the Joint Staff at the National Guard Bureau. He has worked closely with other senior military leaders, including General Martin Dempsey, General Raymond Odierno, and Admiral Mike Mullen, and has participated in numerous military operations, including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

● Chief of

the National Guard Bureau As the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, General Grass was responsible for advising the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on matters related to the National Guard. He worked closely with the United States Congress to ensure that the National Guard received the necessary resources and support to carry out its missions. General Grass also played a key role in shaping the National Guard's response to natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy, and worked with Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies to provide support to affected communities. He has also collaborated with international partners, including the Canadian Armed Forces and the Australian Defence Force, to enhance military cooperation and disaster response capabilities.

● Awards and Decorations

General Grass's awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal. He has also been awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. General Grass has received numerous other awards and honors, including the Distinguished Service Medal from the National Guard Association of the United States, and the Legion of Honor from the French government.

● Personal Life

General Grass is married to the former Patricia Grass, and they have two children, Matthew Grass and Elizabeth Grass. He is a resident of Missouri, and enjoys hunting and fishing in his free time. General Grass is also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, and has supported various veterans' organizations and charities, including the USO and the Wounded Warrior Project. He has also been involved in various community service initiatives, including the Boy Scouts of America and the United Way.