Guard Duty

The Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday held a hearing to consider the nomination of Army National Guard Lt. Gen. Frank Grass for the position of National Guard Bureau chief.

In his answers to advance policy questions submitted prior to the hearing, Grass was asked to provide his "broad priorities" for the National Guard. Here they are:

1) Develop and articulate a vision and strategy for the National Guard that effectively addresses the security needs of the nation;

2) Increase shared awareness and common purpose through more structured interactions between the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the Adjutants Generals;

3) Take care of our soldiers and airmen by keeping faith with our all-volunteer force;

4) Review, analyze, outline, and implement tangible methods to make our organization more efficient and effective in all processes;

5) Ensure that the National Guard Bureau operates as a highly effective joint organization and that a realigned National Guard Bureau staff provides the support necessary to enable the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to fully participate as a valued member of the JCS team;

6) Ensure that the Chief of the National Guard Bureau always has full situational awareness so as to provide our nation’s leaders with accurate and timely military advice related to National Guard capabilities;

7) Improve stewardship of the DoD resources entrusted to the National Guard.

The committee also considered the nominations of Air Force Gen. Mark Welsh to become the service's chief of staff and Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John Kelly to become the head of U.S. Southern Command. Click here for their answers to advance policy questions, and here to read Inside the Air Force's coverage of Welsh's testimony.