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  • Guard Recognizes Milestones that Brought Positive Change

    ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Guard will recognize three anniversaries this year that legally established racial integration in the military, opened more opportunities for women to serve and ended the draft.This year marks the 75th anniversary of President Harry S. Truman’s Executive Order of the

  • Norway Adds Top-tier Military Experience to State Partnership Program

    TRONDHEIM, Norway – Celebrating a half-century of training together last week, Norway and the Minnesota National Guard strengthened ties by formally pairing in the Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program.The addition of Norway to the 30-year-old, 100-nation security

  • In Finland, Guard Leaders Look to Enhance Already Strong Ties

    HELSINKI, Finland – The National Guard’s most senior general met with Finland’s defense leadership and observed military training during a three-day stop last week.“I was honored to learn more about Finland’s defense forces and their concept of comprehensive security,” said Army Gen. Daniel

  • Guard Senior Spouse Recognizes DCNG Family Readiness Program

    WASHINGTON - Kelly Hokanson, spouse of the chief of the National Guard Bureau, and U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Sherrie L. McCandless, District of Columbia National Guard commanding general, recognized the DCNG Family Readiness Program Feb. 9 for supporting more than 26,000 Soldiers and Airmen during

  • Resilience Intertwined in Puerto Rico Guard’s Future, CNGB Says

    SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The legacy of the Puerto Rico National Guard is one of resilience, and investments in the organization are important to its future, the Guard’s top general said.Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, joined territory representatives, local officials

  • Guard Saved Lives, Property, Responding to 2022 Disasters

    ARLINGTON, Va. – With approximately 450,000 members, the National Guard plays a role in every element of the National Defense Strategy, including defending the homeland. Over half of its members were involved in lifesaving natural disaster responses in 2022.Throughout the year, 142,000 Guard members

  • Guard Continues Domestic, Global Missions in a Busy 2022

    ARLINGTON, Va. - The National Guard’s footprint on domestic and international events continued in 2022, highlighting its transformation from a Cold War strategic reserve to the combat reserve of the Army and the Air Force. “People don’t realize just how large the National Guard is,” said Army Gen.

  • Guard’s Global Reach, Capabilities Support National Defense Strategy

    ARLINGTON, Va. – What the National Guard brings to the global stage directly contributes to significant pieces of the 2022 National Defense Strategy, said Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau.“Today, we are an integral part of the Joint Force and our nation’s second-largest

  • First Lady Jill Biden: National Guard a 'beacon of hope' in times of need

    WASHINGTON – How best to support service members and their families dominated discussion when First Lady Jill Biden hosted National Guardsmen, spouses and children at the White House Nov. 28.“For many Americans, our National Guard and their families are the only service members that civilians might

  • Hokanson: ESGR ‘empowers everything we do’

    ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Throughout the past 50 years, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program has provided a conduit between reserve component service members and their employers.The National Guard’s senior-most general spoke with ESGR members and volunteers during a national leader meeting