An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | June 19, 2017

Kepner named senior enlisted advisor to chief of National Guard Bureau

By Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Michelle Gonzalez National Guard Bureau

WASHINGTON – Army Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Kepner was named the new senior enlisted advisor to the chief of the National Guard Bureau on Monday.

"He embodies all the qualities we want to represent the Soldiers and Airmen of our National Guard," Air Force Gen. Joseph Lengyel, chief, National Guard Bureau, said in announcing his selection to Guard leaders nationwide. "He has my complete trust and confidence. He will be my most important and trusted advisor as we work together as the NGB senior leadership team to support the men and women you command."

Kepner, a Pennsylvania National Guard member, will be responsible for advising Lengyel on matters affecting the 350,000 enlisted Citizen-Warriors of the Army and Air National Guard.

He most recently served as the 11th command sergeant major of the Army National Guard, advising Army Lt. Gen. Timothy Kadavy, director of the Army National Guard, on matters affecting the enlisted force.

The SEA's responsibilities include advising the CNGB on enlisted matters affecting training and utilization, health of the force and enlisted professional development. The SEA is the most senior enlisted member of the National Guard.

Kepner is the 5th senior enlisted advisor to the CNGB since the position was created by Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum in 2003. Kepner's predecessors were Army Command Sgt. Maj. John Leonard, Army Command Sgt. Maj. David Hudson, Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Denise Jelinski-Hall and Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Mitchell Brush.

After enlisting in 1980, Kepner served with the 82nd Airborne Division and 10th Mountain Division. He joined the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1987.

Prior to serving as the Army Guard's sergeant major, he served as command sergeant major of the Pennsylvania Army Guard's 28th Infantry Division.

Other key assignments include serving as brigade sergeant major of the 28th Combat Aviation Brigade and battalion sergeant major of 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment.

 

 

Related Articles
(left to right) Capt. George Bouziden and Capt. Derek Teague takes the Oath of Commissioned Officers during their direct commissioning ceremony at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Oklahoma, July 30, 2025. The two officers received their commission through a U.S. Army Talent Innovation Division program designed to identify and bring in highly skilled civilian information technology professionals to strengthen the Army’s cyber capabilities.
Cyber Officers Join Oklahoma Guard Through Direct Commissioning Program
By Anthony Jones, | Aug. 1, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma National Guard welcomed two new officers into its ranks on Wednesday during a direct commissioning ceremony at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Oklahoma.Capt. Derek Teague and Capt...

U.S. Air Force leaders from the 154th Air Expeditionary Wing pose for a photo during Talisman Sabre 25 in Northern Territory, Australia, July 24, 2025. Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States, which advances a safe and secure Indo-Pacific by strengthening relationships and interoperability among key allies and partners, while enhancing our collective capabilities to respond to a wide array of potential security concerns.
Air Guard Demonstrates Critical Indo-Pacific Capabilities During Talisman Sabre 25
By Maj. Eve Derfelt, | July 31, 2025
BRISBANE, Queensland – Airmen from Hawaii, California, Guam, Idaho and Wisconsin Air National Guard units participated in Talisman Sabre 25, Australia’s premier military exercise that underscored the U.S. Air National Guard's...

South Dakota National Guard Soldiers with members of the Surinamese Armed Forces during a first-of-its-kind jungle warfare exchange that concluded July 18, 2025. Service members from the SAF and the SDNG spent ten days sharing critical skills in survival, navigation, and patrolling. This successful collaboration is a part of the National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP).
South Dakota Guard, Suriname Armed Forces Strengthen Partnership
By Staff Sgt. Breanne Donnell, | July 31, 2025
PARAMARIBO, Suriname – The South Dakota National Guard and Suriname Armed Forces, or SAF, strengthened their partnership during a first-of-its-kind jungle warfare exchange that concluded July 18.Service members from the SAF...