MAJOR GENERAL JOE M. WELLS
Director, J2/6, National Guard Bureau
Major General Joe M. Wells is Director, J2/6, Intelligence and Communication, National Guard Bureau. His principal duty is to advise the Chief of, the National Guard Bureau on all matters pertaining to strategic intelligence and communication issues as they relate to security and readiness. His primary responsibility is to engage leadership to find solutions for training, education and resource issues that may impact intelligence and communication readiness. This includes initiating staffing strategies that will enhance productivity and ensure intelligence and communication services are consistent within the states and meet the requirements of its internal and exterior customers.
General Wells was commissioned in 1982 into the Georgia Army National Guard. Prior to receiving his commission, he served as an enlisted member for the 1st/30th, 3rd Infantry Division (Europe) and the 159th Military Intelligence Company, Dobbins, Air Reserve Base, Georgia. General Wells received a Master of Arts in Strategic Intelligence in 2000 from the American Military University, Manassas Park, Virginia as well as a Master of Science in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania in 2002.
EDUCATION:
1987 Brenau College, Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration, Gainesville, Georgia
1988 Georgia State University, Bachelor of Business Administration, Atlanta, Georgia
2000 American Military University, Master of Arts, Strategic Intelligence, Manassas Park, Virginia
2002 United States Army War College, Master of Science, Strategic Studies, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania
2002 United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania
2011 National Defense University, CAPSTONE, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, District of Columbia
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. March 1982 - June 1986, Section Commander, Company A, 151st Military Intelligence Battalion, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia
2. June 1986 - April 1987, Section Leader, Company A, 151st Military Intelligence Battalion, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia
3. April 1987 - October 1989, Aircraft Maintenance Officer, 151st Military Intelligence Battalion, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia
4. October 1989 - November 1989, Commander/Flight Operations Officer, Company A, 151st Military Intelligence Battalion, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia
5. November 1989 - September 1990, Operations Officer, 122d Rear Area Operations Center, Lawrenceville, Georgia
6. September 1990 - November 1990, Communications Officer, 122d Rear Area Operations Center, Lawrenceville, Georgia
7. November 1990 - June 1991, Assistant G-2 (Intelligence) Officer, 122d Rear Area Operations Center, Southwest Asia
8. June 1991 - September 1992, Intelligence Security Officer, 122d Rear Operations Center, Lawrenceville, Georgia
9. September 1992 - October 1992, Counter Intelligence Officer, 24th Infantry (Detachment), Savannah, Georgia
10. October 1992 - August 1993, Training Officer, 78th Troop Command, Decatur, Georgia
11. August 1993 - December 1994, Human Resource/Equal Opportunity Officer, Headquarters, State Area Command, Atlanta, Georgia
12. December 1994 - December 1996, Inspector General, 78th Troop Command, Decatur, Georgia
13. December 1996 - December 1997, Assistant Inspector General, Headquarters, State Area Command, Ellenwood, Georgia
14. December 1997 - February 1999, Executive Officer, Headquarters, 221st Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Gillem, Georgia
15. February 1999 - July 2001, Training Officer, Headquarters, State Area Command, Ellenwood, Georgia
16. July 2001 - June 2002, Student, Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania
17. June 2002 - September 2002, Training Officer, Headquarters, State Area Regional Command, Ellenwood, Georgia
18. September 2002 - April 2005, G-2 (Intelligence) Officer, Georgia Joint Force Headquarters, Ellenwood, Georgia
19. April 2005 - June 2008, J-2, Director of Intelligence, Joint Operations, Georgia Joint Force Headquarters, Ellenwood, Georgia
20. June 2008 - May 2009, Director, Joint Staff, Georgia Joint Force Headquarters, Ellenwood, Georgia
21. May 2009 - June 2010, Assistant Adjutant General-Army, Georgia National Guard, Georgia Joint Force Headquarters, Atlanta, Georgia; dual-hatted, November 2008 - June 2010, Deputy Commanding General (RC), United States Army Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca, Ellenwood, Georgia
22. July 2010 - Present, Director, J2/6, Intelligence and Communication, National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Virginia
FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: OV1/RV1 Combat Tactical Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 3000
Aircraft flown: OV1/RV1, RU21, T42, UH1, OH38
Pilot wings from: Fort Rucker, Alabama
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Legion of Merit Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Army Commendation Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
National Defense Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Service Stars)
Southwest Asia Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Bronze Hour Glass, M Device and Numeral 2)
Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (with Numeral 2)
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (with 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Emirate of Kuwait)
Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
Georgia Commendation Medal
Georgia Special Operations Ribbon
Georgia Olympic Ribbon
Georgia Service Medal (with Boar's Head Device)
Army Aviation Badge
CIVILIAN OCCUPATION:
General Wells is a Flight Officer on the Boeing 777 Long Range Transport Jet that operates mainly internationally for Continental Airlines. His duties and responsibilities include maintaining proficiencies and staff coordination with the pilot workforce to meet flight schedules at the assigned base. He ensures the safe and efficient air transport of payload in excess of 300,000 pounds and passenger payload in excess of 300 hundred pax. He ensures flight-level functions are conducted in accordance with federal regulations and company policies.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS:
J2 Functional Advisory Council Chairman
National Guard Association of Georgia
National Guard Association of United States
Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP)
Tuskegee Airman, Member
Air Lines Pilots Association (ALPA)
ROCKs Inc. (Military Mentoring Society)
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
Senior Executive National Security Management Course
General Officer Senior Executive Law Course
Senior Reserve Component Officer Course
General Officer Senior Executive Force Management Course
Executive Strategic Planning Program Graduate
Joint Staff Training Course Graduate
Joint Task Force Commander Training Course Graduate
Distinguished Military Graduate, Georgia State University (ROTC)
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant ARNG 26 March 1982
First Lieutenant ARNG 25 March 1985
Captain ARNG 30 December 1987
Major ARNG 19 August 1993
Lieutenant Colonel ARNG 28 June 1999
Colonel ARNG 30 June 2003
Brigadier General 7 November 2008
Major General 7 August 2011
(Current as of October 2011)