No Result
View All Results
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Results
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
Reserve & National Guard

National Guard Chief nominee says new world requires agile forces

AmeriForce Exclusive
by AmeriForce Exclusive
July 1, 2016
National Guard

Today’s National Guard is in the best shape it’s been in for its almost 380 years of history, President Barack Obama’s nominee to lead the National Guard Bureau told the Senate Armed Services Committee June 21.

Lt. Gen. Joseph Lengyel, Vice Chief, National Guard Bureau, receives a brief about the capabilities of MUTC
Air Force Lt. Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, vice chief of the National Guard Bureau, receives a briefing at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Indiana, April 23, 2016. Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Runser

Air Force Lt. Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel has been nominated to succeed Army Gen. Frank Grass. He currently is the Guard Bureau’s vice chief, and if confirmed by the Senate, he will receive his fourth star and serve as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The National Guard Bureau is a joint Defense Department activity embracing both the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. The two components have roughly 453,000 service members. In normal times, the guardsmen come under the authority of state governors. Once federalized, they come under the Defense Department.

Extraordinary times

“We are living in extraordinary times, with incredible advances in technology, globalization and commerce that give great cause for optimism and hope for the future,” Lengyel told the senators. “Yet this optimism is tempered by unprecedented challenges in the global security environment.”

The general cited transregional, multidomain and multifunctional threats ranging from near-peer competitors to violent extremist organizations as reasons for the military to become more agile and for the government as a whole to use all elements of national power.

The National Guard has changed considerably since 9/11. Air guardsmen regularly fly missions around the world. Army guardsmen have fought on all battlefields in the war on terror alongside regular component soldiers, the general noted.

“Since 9/11, the operational National Guard has mobilized roughly 780,000 times in support of the war,” Lengyel said. “As the combat reserve of the Army and the Air Force, if confirmed, I will ensure we continue to work seamlessly as part of the joint force to help bring security around the globe.”

Applying combat experiences to the homeland

Those experiences in combat zones around the world have application in the homeland, he said. “Our experience overseas enables us to protect the homeland and work with our governors and adjutant generals to answer the call when disaster strikes here at home,” he said. “On any given day, we have between 3,000 and 4,000 guardsmen conducting domestic operations, and the National Guard remains at the forefront of building enduring partnerships with local, state, federal and global partners.”

The National Guard traces its lineage to 1636, and Lengyel told the senators that although he is proud of the history, he is more excited about the future.

“The Guard’s evolution as an operational force is a chapter in our nation’s security at home and abroad that is written through the incredible skill and devotion of America’s citizen soldiers and airmen,” he said.

He vowed that the development of these volunteers will be his most important task. “If confirmed, I will strive to grow and train leaders who innovate and motivate the force,” he said.

This article was written by by Jim Garamone, DoD News, Defense Media Activity.

Read comments
Tags: Gen. Frank GrassJoint Chiefs of StaffLt. Gen. Joseph L. LengyelNational GuardNational Guard BureauNGB Chief nomineeSenate Armed Services Committeevice chief of the National Guard Bureau
AmeriForce Exclusive

AmeriForce Exclusive

Related Posts

Country music icon enlists, wants to inspire next generation of recruits

by Jessica Manfre
3 weeks ago
0
Staff Sgt. Craig Morgan took the oath of enlistment on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. CREDIT: © Grand Ole Opry, photos by Chris Hollo

Army veteran and country music star Craig Morgan surprised an audience this summer by taking the oath of enlistment during...

Read more

Military provides disaster relief assistance on Maui

by AmeriForce Exclusive
2 months ago
0
disaster relief

The Defense Department continues to support disaster relief efforts related to the devastating wildfire on Maui, Hawaii.

Read more

Army Reserve education benefits collapse halts fall semester enrollments

by Military.com
2 months ago
0
U.S. Army Reserve soldier fires a M240B automatic machine gun during a live fire range qualification on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, July 18, 2023. Photo by Spc. Britton Spencer

The Army Reserve ran out of money to cover tuition for its soldiers & is scrambling to reallocate money ahead of the...

Read more

EXCLUSIVE: Incoming Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps talks value of reserves, future of force

by Kari Williams
2 months ago
0
MARFORRES

Sgt. Maj. Carlos Ruiz never served in the MARFORRES, but jokingly hoped he would be confused for doing just that.

Read more

‘Life-changing’ debt-relief extension act would continue assisting reserve component

by AmeriForce Exclusive
2 months ago
0
Debt relief

Guardsmen and reservists facing bankruptcy will continue to get a reprieve, should an extension to a debt relief act be...

Read more

President Biden activated the Individual Ready Reserve

by WeAreTheMighty
2 months ago
0
(U.S. Marine Corps)

On July 13, 2023, President Joe Biden ordered the Selective Reserve and certain members of the IRR to active duty.

Read more

Ads

Let's get social

The RNG Drill

News delivered directly to your inbox

Let's connect!

ABOUT US

  • OUR STORY
  • OUR TEAM
  • OUR WRITERS

MAGAZINE

  • GET PRINT
  • GET DIGITAL
  • GET THE NEWSLETTER

ADVERTISE

  • GET OUR MEDIA KIT
  • PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

SUBMISSIONS

  • SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Never miss out on the latest stories.

© 2021 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Privacy Policy | Terms | Site by Swiss Commerce

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

No Result
View All Results
  • NEWS
  • YOUR CAREER
    • UNIT TRAINING
    • DEPLOYMENT
    • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • RECRUITING & RETENTION
    • ENTREPRENEUR
    • TRANSITION
  • EDUCATION
  • MILITARY LIFE
    • MILITARY SPOUSES
    • MILITARY KIDS
    • PARENTING
  • OFF DUTY
    • ENTERTAINMENT
    • TRAVEL
  • HEALTH
    • FITNESS
    • MEDICINE
    • MENTAL HEALTH
  • SPORTS
  • OPINION
  • HISTORY
  • MONEY
    • PERSONAL FINANCE
    • BENEFITS
  • GET THE MAGAZINE
    • PRINT MAGAZINES
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINES
    • GET THE NEWSLETTER
  • ABOUT US
    • MEET OUR TEAM
    • OUR AUTHORS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
    • PITCH US
    • CONTACT

© 2022 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Site by SCBW