Major General Charles Kemper assumed the position of Deputy Director, Army National Guard on February 1, 2026.
Major General Kemper’s career began in 1987 as an enlisted Soldier in the Illinois Army National Guard. He was later commissioned into active duty through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps in 1995. He served on active duty with the 1st Infantry Division and the 2nd Ranger Battalion.
Major General Kemper’s previous command assignments include Company A, 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment in Kosovo as part of Operation Joint Guardian; 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment in Kuwait as part of Operation New Dawn, 2011–2012; the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, 2016–2018; and the 34th Infantry Division, 2022–2025, in Kuwait as part of Operation Spartan Shield, 2024.
Key staff assignments include Battalion Operations Officer (S3) for 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment in Kosovo, 2007–2008; and 34th Infantry Division Chief of Plans (G5), 2012–2014, and Operations Officer (G3), 2014–2015. From 2018 to 2019, Major General Kemper deployed with the 34th Infantry Division as the Task Force Spartan Deputy Commanding General – Sustainment in support of Operation Spartan Shield. General Kemper served as the 34th Infantry Division Deputy Commanding General – Maneuver and was dual-hatted as the Deputy Commanding General – Army National Guard, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning, Georgia. Most recently, General Kemper served as the Deputy Commanding General – Army National Guard, Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, until January 2026.
Major General Kemper’s awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Kosovo Campaign Medal (with Bronze Star), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge.
Major General Kemper has bachelor’s degrees in economics and general engineering, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois, and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the United States Army War College. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Ranger School, Bradley Leader Course, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms Service Staff School, the Command and General Staff Officer Course, Army War College, Army Strategic Education Program – Basic Course, Army Strategic Education Program – Command Course, Army Strategic Education Program – Advanced Course, Domestic Joint Task Force Commander Training Course (JCTC), Dual Status Commander Course and the Joint Flag Officer Warfighting Course.
In his civilian career, Major General Kemper is Director of Design Assurance (Pre-Market) and Post-Market Quality Assurance, Electrophysiology Franchise, at Boston Scientific Corporation, a medical device designer and manufacturer, with responsibilities for complaint handling and returned product investigations for the Rhythm Management and Neuromodulation divisions. He serves as an elder at North Lakes Christian Church in North St. Paul.
Charles and his wife, Kristine, have been married for over 35 years. They have two sons – Will, who is a captain in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Charlie, who graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in physics. Their daughter, Anne, graduated from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls in December 2024. Charles and Kristine reside in Pentagon City, Arlington, Virginia.