(Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau, spoke to industry leaders, military leaders, and elected officials on March 18, 2025, during the 16th Annual McAleese Defense Programs Conference in Washington, D.C.)
Thanks, Jim, it’s an honor to be with you today to discuss the critical role of the National Guard in defending and safeguarding our nation. We are at a pivotal moment in history—a time when the security of our homeland faces challenges from near-peer adversaries who are relentless in their pursuit of advanced capabilities and strategic advantage. In this era of complexity and uncertainty, one truth rises above all: innovation is not just an option for the National Guard—it must be our way of life. Author James Clear, said in his book Atomic Habits, “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become." From my perspective, every small decision, training exercise, or new technology we develop as a force is a "vote" towards extending our advantage as a lethal, resilient, and agile National Guard.
For more than 388 years, the National Guard has been the backbone of America’s defense—a force that bridges the gap between our communities and our national security. But the threats we face today are unlike those of the past. Near-peer adversaries with sophisticated systems, advanced technologies, and global ambitions are working to close the gap, but we cannot allow that to happen. We have to accelerate our acquisition processes. We must leverage the incredible ingenuity of our warfighters and our nation’s industrial base to rebuild our military. This will elevate our capabilities and reestablish credible deterrence.
Innovation is the fuel that drives readiness. It’s the difference between reacting to a threat and anticipating it. It’s the ability to turn a drone into a force multiplier, to harness artificial intelligence for real-time decision-making, or to transform a young Guardsman’s “back-of-the-napkin” idea into a solution that makes us a more lethal force. In the National Guard, our dual mission is to serve both state and nation and demands that we think creatively and act decisively. We don’t have the luxury of complacency. Every dollar we spend, every hour we train, must push us to grow that advantage as we outthink and outmaneuver those who seek to undermine us.
Innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about our warfighters. To paraphrase Gen. George Patton, “wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by people” - and that is where the National Guard truly shines!
Unlike full-time active-duty soldiers, Guardsmen split their time between civilian professions and military service. This creates a cross-cutting effect that fosters adaptive and innovative problem-solving. To capitalize on these unique capabilities, we must empower every Guardsman to think creatively, to experiment, and to fail forward. It’s about fostering a culture where a mechanic in a motor pool or a cyber specialist in a small town can spark the next breakthrough that will ripple across the entire DoD. We have something our adversaries cannot replicate: The ingenuity of the American spirit, embodied in the warrior ethos of our Citizen-Soldiers and Citizen-Airmen. I would argue history proves this out—you only survive 388 years if you have the ability to adapt and overcome!
So, what does this mean for us today? It means investing in cutting-edge training and equipment, yes—but also in ideas. It means partnering with industry and the joint force to stay ahead of the curve. It means embracing risk, learning from setbacks, and rewarding bold thinking. Above all, it means recognizing that in a time of near-peer adversaries, status quo is not an option. We simply must continue to build on our asymmetric advantages by putting the systems we need in the hands of our warfighters. When we innovate, we decisively win.
As 30th Chief, I’ve had the privilege to see firsthand the men and women of the National Guard across our mission areas: In the Warfight. Defending the Homeland. Forging Partnerships local to global– they are the future of our nation’s defense. They are innovators—whose bold imagination will carry our National Guard to victory. These are the Soldiers and Airmen who rise to each challenge with courage and creativity, ensuring that America remains stronger together - stronger tomorrow.