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.