OKLAHOMA CITY - Before serving nearly 40 years as the governor of the Chickasaw Nation, Bill Anoatubby served in his first leadership position as a member of the Oklahoma National Guard.
Anoatubby enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard during high school and attended basic combat training and advanced individual training after graduating in May 1964.
“I am grateful for Gov. Anoatubby’s time in the Oklahoma Army National Guard,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma. “His life of service and leadership, starting with the Oklahoma National Guard, is a great example of the positive impact of military service.”
While training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Anoatubby began sending half of his military paychecks to his mother to save for college tuition. This allowed him to save enough money for books and tuition at Murray State College in Tishomingo, Oklahoma.
For the next seven years, Anoatubby served as a motor transport operator in Tishomingo, which later relocated to Ada.
“We took care of the tank, drove it, maintained it and I was in charge of the crew,” Anoatubby said. “I was given the responsibility of a platoon. By that time, I was a staff sergeant, and that’s the rank I held when I left.”
According to World Population Review, Oklahoma has the second-highest Native American population in the United States, and the Oklahoma National Guard maintains deep connections to Native American culture. For example, the 45th Infantry Division (1923-1968) included many Native American Soldiers from over 50 tribes, including the Chickasaw Nation. As of 2023, there were 392 Native American Soldiers actively serving in the Oklahoma National Guard.
“There’s a very close link between the military and the tribes because of our background,” Anoatubby said. “We [The Chickasaw Nation] may not have called it an army, but we had people assigned to defend our people in case of an attack.”
The Oklahoma National Guard collaborates closely with the Native tribes of Oklahoma. During each deployment, the Oklahoma National Guard Family Programs Department communicates information about Native Soldiers to their designated tribes, ensuring they receive benefits from the Oklahoma National Guard and their tribal nations.
As the governor of the Chickasaw Nation, Anoatubby continues his legacy of service by supporting Native Oklahoma National Guardsmen, just as he did during his military career. Through his leadership, he remains dedicated to improving the lives of the Chickasaw people and Native service members, aligning with the Chickasaw mission: “To enhance the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people.”
“It’s important that we serve, defend, and be there when we’re called upon,” Anoatubby said. “I appreciate them taking the time and effort to be there when needed. We [The Chickasaw Nation] hold them in high regard, so thank you.”