1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:08,940 --> 00:00:11,107 Welcome . Good morning . Thank you all 3 00:00:11,107 --> 00:00:13,273 for coming . Apologies for being a few 4 00:00:13,273 --> 00:00:15,329 minutes late today , we're here with 5 00:00:15,329 --> 00:00:17,607 the Chief of the National Guard Bureau . 6 00:00:17,607 --> 00:00:19,384 General dan Hokanson and senior 7 00:00:19,384 --> 00:00:21,551 enlisted advisor to General Hokanson . 8 00:00:21,551 --> 00:00:23,773 S . E . A Tony Whitehead to discuss the 9 00:00:23,773 --> 00:00:25,773 National Guard's accomplishments in 10 00:00:25,773 --> 00:00:28,810 2022 its priorities for 2023 . I'm 11 00:00:28,810 --> 00:00:30,754 Lieutenant Colonel Caitlin Brown , 12 00:00:30,754 --> 00:00:32,810 National Guard Bureau Public Affairs 13 00:00:32,810 --> 00:00:34,866 and I'll be moderating today's media 14 00:00:34,866 --> 00:00:36,921 roundtable . We only have until 1115 15 00:00:36,921 --> 00:00:38,921 today , so we'd ask that you please 16 00:00:38,921 --> 00:00:40,866 keep your questions focused on the 17 00:00:40,866 --> 00:00:43,270 topic of guard priorities . General 18 00:00:43,270 --> 00:00:45,492 Hokanson and S . E . A . Whitehead will 19 00:00:45,492 --> 00:00:47,659 have some brief opening comments after 20 00:00:47,659 --> 00:00:50,530 which we'll open it up for questions to 21 00:00:50,530 --> 00:00:52,586 ensure we allow time for everyone to 22 00:00:52,586 --> 00:00:54,808 participate . We will limit everyone to 23 00:00:54,808 --> 00:00:56,808 one question and one follow up . If 24 00:00:56,808 --> 00:00:58,974 there's time remaining at the end , we 25 00:00:58,974 --> 00:01:00,919 can open it back up for additional 26 00:01:00,919 --> 00:01:03,086 questions . I have a list of the media 27 00:01:03,086 --> 00:01:05,252 joining us remotely and I will call on 28 00:01:05,252 --> 00:01:07,419 you by name , I know some of you , but 29 00:01:07,419 --> 00:01:09,641 not everyone . So if you're in the room 30 00:01:09,641 --> 00:01:11,586 with us and I call on you , please 31 00:01:11,586 --> 00:01:11,160 state your name and outlet before 32 00:01:11,160 --> 00:01:13,910 asking your question with that . I'll 33 00:01:13,910 --> 00:01:15,966 turn it over to General Hokanson for 34 00:01:15,966 --> 00:01:18,750 his opening remarks . Thank you kate 35 00:01:18,760 --> 00:01:20,982 And good morning ladies and gentlemen , 36 00:01:20,982 --> 00:01:22,816 thank you for the opportunity to 37 00:01:22,816 --> 00:01:25,038 provide an update on the National Guard 38 00:01:25,038 --> 00:01:27,204 and lay out some of our priorities for 39 00:01:27,204 --> 00:01:29,149 the coming year . Today's National 40 00:01:29,149 --> 00:01:31,371 Guard is ready capable and a vital part 41 00:01:31,371 --> 00:01:33,482 of our National Defense strategy as a 42 00:01:33,482 --> 00:01:35,649 Combat reserve of the Army and the Air 43 00:01:35,649 --> 00:01:37,649 Force . Our soldiers and airmen are 44 00:01:37,649 --> 00:01:39,760 built to fight our nation's wars . It 45 00:01:39,760 --> 00:01:41,982 is a manning training and equipment for 46 00:01:41,982 --> 00:01:44,204 combat that allows us to also serve our 47 00:01:44,204 --> 00:01:46,427 communities in their time of need . And 48 00:01:46,427 --> 00:01:48,316 if you're not already aware , the 49 00:01:48,316 --> 00:01:50,580 National Guard is over 430,000 strong 50 00:01:50,590 --> 00:01:54,080 or 20% of the joint force , second only 51 00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:57,370 in size to the active duty army . Right 52 00:01:57,370 --> 00:01:59,481 now , more than 40,000 of our men and 53 00:01:59,481 --> 00:02:01,537 women are engaged in missions around 54 00:02:01,537 --> 00:02:03,370 the world to include over 22,000 55 00:02:03,370 --> 00:02:06,720 serving outside the United States . In 56 00:02:06,720 --> 00:02:08,710 2022 , we provided ground and air 57 00:02:08,710 --> 00:02:11,140 forces to all of America's combatant 58 00:02:11,140 --> 00:02:13,930 commands that included army formations 59 00:02:13,930 --> 00:02:16,080 in the Middle East and Europe global 60 00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:18,160 tanker airlift and fighter aircraft 61 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:20,216 support and training with our allies 62 00:02:20,216 --> 00:02:23,360 and partners around the globe . We 63 00:02:23,360 --> 00:02:25,304 supported our first responders and 64 00:02:25,304 --> 00:02:27,027 rescued american families when 65 00:02:27,027 --> 00:02:29,249 hurricanes made landfall in florida and 66 00:02:29,249 --> 00:02:31,480 Puerto rico when tornadoes leveled a 67 00:02:31,480 --> 00:02:33,647 seven mile stretch of eastern Kentucky 68 00:02:33,980 --> 00:02:35,980 when wildfires scorched millions of 69 00:02:35,980 --> 00:02:39,000 acres out west and we rescued over 2400 70 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:41,580 people when flash flooding hit Montana 71 00:02:41,660 --> 00:02:44,790 and Kentucky . We also assisted with 72 00:02:44,790 --> 00:02:46,790 election security during the recent 73 00:02:46,790 --> 00:02:48,846 midterm elections . And that doesn't 74 00:02:48,846 --> 00:02:50,901 begin to cover the impact we make in 75 00:02:50,901 --> 00:02:53,770 our local communities every day . So 76 00:02:53,770 --> 00:02:55,826 what does the future look like for a 77 00:02:55,826 --> 00:02:57,881 National Guard , what our priorities 78 00:02:57,881 --> 00:03:00,103 going forward . They're really the same 79 00:03:00,103 --> 00:03:02,270 enduring priorities I established when 80 00:03:02,270 --> 00:03:04,381 I became the chief people readiness , 81 00:03:04,381 --> 00:03:07,470 modernization and reform , I'll start 82 00:03:07,470 --> 00:03:09,637 with taking care of our people because 83 00:03:09,637 --> 00:03:11,748 every mission is made possible by our 84 00:03:11,748 --> 00:03:13,637 people . That means starting with 85 00:03:13,637 --> 00:03:15,970 health care . Some 60,000 National 86 00:03:15,970 --> 00:03:17,859 Guard soldiers and airmen have no 87 00:03:17,859 --> 00:03:20,020 medical coverage . That's why the 88 00:03:20,020 --> 00:03:22,242 health care for our troops Act is on my 89 00:03:22,242 --> 00:03:24,680 radar . If passed , it will allow every 90 00:03:24,680 --> 00:03:26,680 member of the Reserves and National 91 00:03:26,680 --> 00:03:28,847 Guard to sign up for Tricare Reserve , 92 00:03:28,847 --> 00:03:31,490 select with no fees or co pays . This 93 00:03:31,490 --> 00:03:33,323 is the right thing to do for our 94 00:03:33,323 --> 00:03:35,490 service members and their families who 95 00:03:35,490 --> 00:03:37,657 often bear undue financial and medical 96 00:03:37,657 --> 00:03:39,910 hardships As a result , yes , there is 97 00:03:39,910 --> 00:03:42,132 a cost to this , but I believe the lost 98 00:03:42,132 --> 00:03:44,370 readiness costs are more than the price 99 00:03:44,370 --> 00:03:47,080 of that . Health care . The health care 100 00:03:47,080 --> 00:03:49,136 for our troops Act is ultimately the 101 00:03:49,136 --> 00:03:51,302 right thing to do both morally and for 102 00:03:51,302 --> 00:03:54,540 the medical readiness of our force . In 103 00:03:54,540 --> 00:03:56,651 addition to premium free healthcare , 104 00:03:56,651 --> 00:03:58,818 our guardsmen deserve the same pay and 105 00:03:58,818 --> 00:04:00,707 benefits when performing the same 106 00:04:00,707 --> 00:04:02,818 duties as our active duty and Reserve 107 00:04:02,818 --> 00:04:04,984 counterparts just like them . We spend 108 00:04:04,984 --> 00:04:07,207 weeks months , even years away from our 109 00:04:07,207 --> 00:04:09,200 families , but to be side by side 110 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:11,311 performing the exact same mission and 111 00:04:11,311 --> 00:04:13,478 the same duties and not be treated the 112 00:04:13,478 --> 00:04:15,422 same is something that needs to be 113 00:04:15,422 --> 00:04:18,320 resolved duty status . Reform goes a 114 00:04:18,320 --> 00:04:20,320 long way to address this inequity , 115 00:04:20,390 --> 00:04:22,501 which is also vital to our recruiting 116 00:04:22,501 --> 00:04:25,260 and retention efforts . My second 117 00:04:25,260 --> 00:04:27,590 priority readiness primarily addresses 118 00:04:27,590 --> 00:04:29,860 how rapidly we respond to global joint 119 00:04:29,860 --> 00:04:32,082 force requirements and the needs of our 120 00:04:32,082 --> 00:04:34,980 governors . To aid in that effort . The 121 00:04:34,980 --> 00:04:37,147 Army National Guard will modernize its 122 00:04:37,147 --> 00:04:39,258 brigades and divisions to produce all 123 00:04:39,258 --> 00:04:41,369 domain combat forces , divisional E . 124 00:04:41,369 --> 00:04:44,090 Aligned with the army as soon as we can . 125 00:04:45,210 --> 00:04:46,821 This will keep us seamlessly 126 00:04:46,821 --> 00:04:48,766 interoperable with the army , make 127 00:04:48,766 --> 00:04:50,988 rotations more predictable and give our 128 00:04:50,988 --> 00:04:53,321 guardsmen more leadership opportunities . 129 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:55,982 Most of all it will ensure we are ready 130 00:04:56,090 --> 00:04:59,980 whenever our nation calls as 131 00:04:59,980 --> 00:05:01,980 we move to a different model of war 132 00:05:01,980 --> 00:05:04,202 fighting than the past two decades . We 133 00:05:04,202 --> 00:05:06,313 will increase our rotations of combat 134 00:05:06,313 --> 00:05:08,424 training centers and participation in 135 00:05:08,424 --> 00:05:10,647 realistic exercises because training as 136 00:05:10,647 --> 00:05:12,930 we fight is the best way to prepare for 137 00:05:12,930 --> 00:05:16,200 future conflicts . Readiness also 138 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:18,256 emerges with people when it comes to 139 00:05:18,256 --> 00:05:20,422 fitness . Recently , my wife Kelly and 140 00:05:20,422 --> 00:05:22,644 I took part in an event . We ran a five 141 00:05:22,644 --> 00:05:25,290 K , 10-K half marathon and marathon 142 00:05:25,290 --> 00:05:27,900 over four consecutive days . Now , I 143 00:05:27,900 --> 00:05:30,170 don't expect everyone to do that . But 144 00:05:30,170 --> 00:05:32,281 starting in March we're instituting a 145 00:05:32,281 --> 00:05:34,614 monthly fitness challenge for our force . 146 00:05:35,100 --> 00:05:37,267 The challenges will emphasize not only 147 00:05:37,267 --> 00:05:39,433 exercise but things like nutrition and 148 00:05:39,433 --> 00:05:41,767 total fitness to encourage our soldiers , 149 00:05:41,767 --> 00:05:44,360 airmen and their families to focus on 150 00:05:44,360 --> 00:05:46,550 taking care of themselves . Becoming 151 00:05:46,550 --> 00:05:48,710 more resilient , building individual 152 00:05:48,710 --> 00:05:50,821 readiness and hopefully having fun in 153 00:05:50,821 --> 00:05:53,900 the process . Readiness also means 154 00:05:53,900 --> 00:05:55,956 continuing to build enduring trusted 155 00:05:55,956 --> 00:05:58,122 relationships with partners around the 156 00:05:58,122 --> 00:06:00,122 world through our state partnership 157 00:06:00,122 --> 00:06:03,300 program or SPP . The National Guard is 158 00:06:03,300 --> 00:06:05,270 currently partnered with over 100 159 00:06:05,270 --> 00:06:08,390 countries , 45% of the world's nations 160 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:10,490 and we expect to grow by 30 over the 161 00:06:10,490 --> 00:06:13,970 next 10 years This summer . We will 162 00:06:13,970 --> 00:06:15,748 celebrate 30 years of the state 163 00:06:15,748 --> 00:06:18,480 partnership program and as evidenced by 164 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:20,702 the relationship between California and 165 00:06:20,702 --> 00:06:23,050 Ukraine , it is a program that has paid 166 00:06:23,050 --> 00:06:25,500 huge dividends on a small investment 167 00:06:27,180 --> 00:06:29,291 building on that relationship . Guard 168 00:06:29,291 --> 00:06:31,236 soldiers can continue to train our 169 00:06:31,236 --> 00:06:33,640 Ukrainian counterparts in Germany so 170 00:06:33,640 --> 00:06:35,696 they can defend their nation against 171 00:06:35,696 --> 00:06:38,040 Russia's illegal unprovoked invasion . 172 00:06:39,900 --> 00:06:42,750 Our next priority is modernization . We 173 00:06:42,750 --> 00:06:44,861 work within a system of systems , our 174 00:06:44,861 --> 00:06:46,972 States , our parents services and our 175 00:06:46,972 --> 00:06:49,530 partnerships at every level . Every one 176 00:06:49,530 --> 00:06:51,863 of these elements affects modernization , 177 00:06:51,863 --> 00:06:54,140 personnel equipment , training 178 00:06:54,140 --> 00:06:57,900 processes and more . We've created 179 00:06:57,900 --> 00:07:00,170 25 year modernization . Road maps for 180 00:07:00,170 --> 00:07:03,050 all our major weapons systems were in 181 00:07:03,050 --> 00:07:05,161 lockstep with the army on things like 182 00:07:05,161 --> 00:07:07,217 multi domain operations , long range 183 00:07:07,217 --> 00:07:09,580 precision fires , main battle tanks , 184 00:07:09,590 --> 00:07:11,940 air defense , future vertical lift and 185 00:07:11,940 --> 00:07:14,640 more to fight side by side as the 186 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:16,584 army's combat reserve . We must be 187 00:07:16,584 --> 00:07:18,362 interoperable and have the same 188 00:07:18,362 --> 00:07:22,260 equipment whenever possible . On the 189 00:07:22,260 --> 00:07:24,720 air force size side , we have 25 190 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:26,890 fighter squadrons and we need to keep 191 00:07:26,900 --> 00:07:29,400 all 25 fighter squadrons because our 192 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:32,020 nation needs them . These squadrons 193 00:07:32,020 --> 00:07:34,242 need modernized fighters to provide the 194 00:07:34,242 --> 00:07:36,464 combat capability and strategic depth . 195 00:07:36,464 --> 00:07:38,240 Our nation needs to deter our 196 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:41,000 adversaries like the Air Force , we 197 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:42,889 must replace legacy fighters with 198 00:07:42,889 --> 00:07:44,778 aircraft that meet future mission 199 00:07:44,778 --> 00:07:48,220 requirements . Likewise , with tankers . 200 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:50,560 The KC 46 will continue to replace the 201 00:07:50,560 --> 00:07:54,340 venerable KC 1 35 With tactical airlift . 202 00:07:54,350 --> 00:07:56,920 The C130J will put a modern face on an 203 00:07:56,920 --> 00:08:00,130 old workhorse to paraphrase Air Force 204 00:08:00,130 --> 00:08:02,630 Vice Chief of Staff Dave Alvin . The 205 00:08:02,630 --> 00:08:04,741 high cost of sustaining and operating 206 00:08:04,741 --> 00:08:06,797 these older systems along with their 207 00:08:06,797 --> 00:08:08,797 decreased relevance , makes the Air 208 00:08:08,797 --> 00:08:11,210 Force and the Air National Guard less 209 00:08:11,210 --> 00:08:14,680 effective . But modernization is only 210 00:08:14,680 --> 00:08:16,736 as powerful as the organization that 211 00:08:16,736 --> 00:08:18,847 implements it . That's the impetus by 212 00:08:18,847 --> 00:08:22,370 my fourth priority reform , our team 213 00:08:22,370 --> 00:08:24,314 exists to maximize performance and 214 00:08:24,314 --> 00:08:27,310 accountability to support the 54 states 215 00:08:27,310 --> 00:08:29,590 territories in D . C . To ensure 216 00:08:29,590 --> 00:08:31,701 formations remain ready to fill their 217 00:08:31,701 --> 00:08:33,646 critical role as part of the Joint 218 00:08:33,646 --> 00:08:36,450 Force in our nation's defense , finding 219 00:08:36,450 --> 00:08:38,672 ways to be more efficient and effective 220 00:08:38,672 --> 00:08:41,920 only makes us stronger . As I mentioned 221 00:08:41,930 --> 00:08:43,708 earlier . I'm excited about the 222 00:08:43,708 --> 00:08:45,652 progress we've made on duty status 223 00:08:45,652 --> 00:08:47,652 reform . We've reduced the statuses 224 00:08:47,652 --> 00:08:50,720 within the guard from over 42 9 that 225 00:08:50,720 --> 00:08:52,831 streamlines our processes , increases 226 00:08:52,831 --> 00:08:55,340 efficiencies and expedites our response 227 00:08:55,340 --> 00:08:57,790 times , which is why it is so important 228 00:08:57,790 --> 00:09:01,180 to get it approved . Part of our effort 229 00:09:01,190 --> 00:09:03,560 to reform is through innovation as we 230 00:09:03,560 --> 00:09:05,782 seek to become a more resilient part of 231 00:09:05,782 --> 00:09:07,893 the joint force and our communities . 232 00:09:08,630 --> 00:09:10,852 For example , in May of last year , the 233 00:09:10,852 --> 00:09:13,074 Army Corps of Engineers broke ground on 234 00:09:13,074 --> 00:09:15,186 a 99 acre solar energy micro grid and 235 00:09:15,186 --> 00:09:17,330 storage project , a Joint Forces 236 00:09:17,330 --> 00:09:20,480 training base . Los Alamitos Los 237 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:22,536 Alamitos California National Guard's 238 00:09:22,536 --> 00:09:24,702 primary military training facility and 239 00:09:24,702 --> 00:09:26,647 emergency response hub in southern 240 00:09:26,647 --> 00:09:29,530 California . The micro grid would 241 00:09:29,530 --> 00:09:31,641 provide enough power to keep the base 242 00:09:31,641 --> 00:09:33,419 running for weeks after a major 243 00:09:33,419 --> 00:09:35,586 earthquake or other disaster so we can 244 00:09:35,586 --> 00:09:38,190 continue our missions . The project is 245 00:09:38,190 --> 00:09:40,190 expected to both enhance energy 246 00:09:40,190 --> 00:09:42,540 resilience and reduce greenhouse gas 247 00:09:42,540 --> 00:09:45,620 emissions . We're also looking at more 248 00:09:45,620 --> 00:09:47,676 cost effective solutions to military 249 00:09:47,676 --> 00:09:49,960 construction . Last year . The texas 250 00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:52,016 National Guard three D . Printed the 251 00:09:52,016 --> 00:09:55,070 first of its kind military barracks At 252 00:09:55,070 --> 00:09:57,960 over 5000 square feet . It houses 72 253 00:09:57,960 --> 00:10:01,330 soldiers was printed in 113 days . 254 00:10:01,650 --> 00:10:05,130 Was ready for occupancy in 209 days and 255 00:10:05,130 --> 00:10:07,850 at approximately 70% the cost of a 256 00:10:07,850 --> 00:10:11,690 conventional barracks and while 257 00:10:11,690 --> 00:10:13,857 covid was difficult for many , it also 258 00:10:13,857 --> 00:10:15,801 forced us to rethink how we work , 259 00:10:16,330 --> 00:10:18,497 established a working group to develop 260 00:10:18,497 --> 00:10:20,386 a policy to find the right mix of 261 00:10:20,386 --> 00:10:22,608 remote work and tele work opportunities 262 00:10:22,608 --> 00:10:24,719 for National Guard Bureau positions . 263 00:10:24,740 --> 00:10:26,518 This initiative has a number of 264 00:10:26,518 --> 00:10:28,573 benefits . It improves communication 265 00:10:28,573 --> 00:10:31,120 between the bureau and the states . It 266 00:10:31,120 --> 00:10:33,287 helps retain highly skilled , talented 267 00:10:33,287 --> 00:10:35,509 team members and helps us better manage 268 00:10:35,509 --> 00:10:37,720 our talent . Most of all it brings us 269 00:10:37,720 --> 00:10:39,970 closer to being the agile , adaptable 270 00:10:39,980 --> 00:10:43,640 integrated force We need to be by 271 00:10:43,640 --> 00:10:45,418 prioritizing people readiness , 272 00:10:45,418 --> 00:10:47,950 modernization and reform . We'll ensure 273 00:10:47,950 --> 00:10:50,172 the National Guard keeps our promise to 274 00:10:50,172 --> 00:10:52,394 the american people . The promise to be 275 00:10:52,394 --> 00:10:56,010 always ready always there . I would 276 00:10:56,010 --> 00:10:58,232 like to turn it over to my right hand . 277 00:10:58,232 --> 00:11:00,232 Senior enlisted advisor , S . C . A 278 00:11:00,232 --> 00:11:02,399 Tony Whitehead for his opening remarks 279 00:11:02,399 --> 00:11:02,230 and after that we look forward to your 280 00:11:02,230 --> 00:11:04,400 questions Tony . Thank you , Joel 281 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:06,920 Parkinson and Good morning . I'm S . E . 282 00:11:06,920 --> 00:11:08,864 A Tony Whitehead . Senior enlisted 283 00:11:08,864 --> 00:11:10,920 advisor to the Chief of the National 284 00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:13,031 Guard Bureau who's sitting next to me 285 00:11:13,031 --> 00:11:12,980 and as you mentioned , we have a 286 00:11:12,980 --> 00:11:14,980 430,000 National Guard Soldiers and 287 00:11:14,980 --> 00:11:17,200 Airmen . My role is to provide a voice 288 00:11:17,200 --> 00:11:19,256 for the enlisted force and represent 289 00:11:19,256 --> 00:11:21,256 their needs . In this last year , I 290 00:11:21,256 --> 00:11:23,478 visited over thousands and thousands of 291 00:11:23,478 --> 00:11:25,533 soldiers , Airmen and their families 292 00:11:25,533 --> 00:11:27,700 and listen to their top issues as well 293 00:11:27,700 --> 00:11:29,700 as their great accomplishments . We 294 00:11:29,700 --> 00:11:31,700 talk about accomplishments . As you 295 00:11:31,700 --> 00:11:31,060 heard the chief mentioned , we're 296 00:11:31,060 --> 00:11:33,171 extremely proud of our garden for the 297 00:11:33,171 --> 00:11:35,282 great things they've made happened in 298 00:11:35,282 --> 00:11:37,004 2022 by meeting our three core 299 00:11:37,004 --> 00:11:39,060 requirements , the federal Mission , 300 00:11:39,060 --> 00:11:40,949 our state homeland Mission and of 301 00:11:40,949 --> 00:11:43,004 course our State Partnership mission 302 00:11:43,004 --> 00:11:45,060 which has been growing and impacting 303 00:11:45,060 --> 00:11:47,116 the world for over three years . His 304 00:11:47,116 --> 00:11:49,282 priorities are people to the continued 305 00:11:49,282 --> 00:11:51,393 improvements to enlisted professional 306 00:11:51,393 --> 00:11:53,449 development , career enhancement and 307 00:11:53,449 --> 00:11:55,616 family programs . Are guardsmen soared 308 00:11:55,616 --> 00:11:55,580 to new heights of professional growth 309 00:11:55,590 --> 00:11:57,700 and technical competence . These 310 00:11:57,700 --> 00:11:59,867 programs were and are essential to our 311 00:11:59,867 --> 00:12:01,922 forces , health , morale , welfare , 312 00:12:01,922 --> 00:12:04,033 which is foundational for already and 313 00:12:04,033 --> 00:12:06,256 fighting force readiness . Were able to 314 00:12:06,256 --> 00:12:07,978 give valuable time back to our 315 00:12:07,978 --> 00:12:09,978 commanders so that our soldiers and 316 00:12:09,978 --> 00:12:12,256 airmen can do their training for the A . 317 00:12:12,256 --> 00:12:14,367 F . C . S . And M . O . S . S so that 318 00:12:14,367 --> 00:12:16,478 they can be prepared whether it be at 319 00:12:16,478 --> 00:12:18,589 home or go down range as well as time 320 00:12:18,589 --> 00:12:20,533 for family programs so that we can 321 00:12:20,533 --> 00:12:20,100 connect back with our communities 322 00:12:20,690 --> 00:12:22,746 regarding modernization . We saw the 323 00:12:22,746 --> 00:12:24,912 changes in weapons systems , equipment 324 00:12:24,912 --> 00:12:26,690 and aerial platforms within our 325 00:12:26,690 --> 00:12:28,801 services . We continue to provide and 326 00:12:28,801 --> 00:12:30,634 enabled advancement in tools and 327 00:12:30,634 --> 00:12:32,857 training for our service members needed 328 00:12:32,857 --> 00:12:34,968 to complete their missions and as the 329 00:12:34,968 --> 00:12:34,440 chief regularly encourages 330 00:12:34,450 --> 00:12:36,980 interoperability . Uh speaking of 331 00:12:36,980 --> 00:12:38,980 reform , N . C . O . Leadership and 332 00:12:38,980 --> 00:12:41,147 development is a force multiplier that 333 00:12:41,147 --> 00:12:43,370 has proven a strategic implication . As 334 00:12:43,370 --> 00:12:45,537 we change policies and procedures , we 335 00:12:45,537 --> 00:12:47,759 enabled our leaders to continue leading 336 00:12:47,759 --> 00:12:49,759 from the front proving our unlisted 337 00:12:49,759 --> 00:12:51,648 core will always be a force to be 338 00:12:51,648 --> 00:12:53,759 reckoned with as a senior advisor . I 339 00:12:53,759 --> 00:12:55,481 would like to promote my three 340 00:12:55,481 --> 00:12:57,648 initiatives which is educate and power 341 00:12:57,648 --> 00:12:59,703 and execute which fall right in line 342 00:12:59,703 --> 00:13:01,537 with our Chief's priorities were 343 00:13:01,537 --> 00:13:03,481 continually improving professional 344 00:13:03,481 --> 00:13:05,703 development for our troops that they're 345 00:13:05,703 --> 00:13:07,870 receiving . We work on service for our 346 00:13:07,870 --> 00:13:09,981 members , the knowledge , the ability 347 00:13:09,981 --> 00:13:12,037 and the vision to ensure our leaders 348 00:13:12,037 --> 00:13:11,910 know exactly what they need and that 349 00:13:11,910 --> 00:13:14,132 our leaders have the right people to do 350 00:13:14,132 --> 00:13:16,354 the right job when the time is needed , 351 00:13:17,090 --> 00:13:19,257 nothing has been put in front of us as 352 00:13:19,257 --> 00:13:21,368 a National Guard that we haven't been 353 00:13:21,368 --> 00:13:23,590 able to accomplish and we will continue 354 00:13:23,590 --> 00:13:25,812 to do so . The education and training . 355 00:13:25,812 --> 00:13:25,620 Our guardsmen to receive , prepares , 356 00:13:25,630 --> 00:13:27,670 prepares them for whatever may come 357 00:13:28,500 --> 00:13:31,490 Looking at 2023 , I can't express how 358 00:13:31,490 --> 00:13:33,712 excited we are about the National Guard 359 00:13:33,712 --> 00:13:35,712 and what's happening to our for our 360 00:13:35,712 --> 00:13:37,768 force we're enacting a vision of the 361 00:13:37,768 --> 00:13:39,823 chief's priorities , which again are 362 00:13:39,823 --> 00:13:41,879 people readiness , modernization and 363 00:13:41,879 --> 00:13:44,101 reform through prioritizing funding for 364 00:13:44,101 --> 00:13:46,212 soldiers and airmen programs and that 365 00:13:46,212 --> 00:13:48,268 includes our families . Since 1636 , 366 00:13:48,268 --> 00:13:50,434 our guard professionals have stood the 367 00:13:50,434 --> 00:13:52,657 test of time and prevailed . We proudly 368 00:13:52,657 --> 00:13:54,823 serve our nation , our communities and 369 00:13:54,823 --> 00:13:56,712 support our partners and with the 370 00:13:56,712 --> 00:13:56,390 support that we receive from our 371 00:13:56,390 --> 00:13:58,223 families , our employers and the 372 00:13:58,223 --> 00:14:00,334 community . We will continue to do so 373 00:14:00,334 --> 00:14:02,501 and we will always be always ready and 374 00:14:02,501 --> 00:14:04,779 always there . So I thank you for that . 375 00:14:04,779 --> 00:14:06,779 I thank you for your time . We look 376 00:14:06,779 --> 00:14:09,001 forward to your questions . Okay , well 377 00:14:09,001 --> 00:14:11,223 now open it up for questions . I'd like 378 00:14:11,223 --> 00:14:13,557 to start with from the Associated Press . 379 00:14:13,557 --> 00:14:15,779 Uh thank you both for doing this . Um I 380 00:14:15,779 --> 00:14:17,723 have two questions , two different 381 00:14:17,723 --> 00:14:19,501 topics . Uh first Ukraine , the 382 00:14:19,501 --> 00:14:21,557 National Guard has Abrams , you have 383 00:14:21,557 --> 00:14:24,930 maintainers , operators um if asked , 384 00:14:24,940 --> 00:14:27,310 are you able to provide training to the 385 00:14:27,310 --> 00:14:29,810 Ukrainians ? If Abrams tanks are sent 386 00:14:29,810 --> 00:14:32,940 to Ukraine , you know , I can't comment 387 00:14:32,940 --> 00:14:35,051 specifically on the Abrams tank . I'm 388 00:14:35,051 --> 00:14:37,162 not involved in those conversations , 389 00:14:37,162 --> 00:14:39,329 but I know that whatever the Guard has 390 00:14:39,329 --> 00:14:41,273 been asked to do since our initial 391 00:14:41,273 --> 00:14:43,440 state partnership with Ukraine , going 392 00:14:43,440 --> 00:14:45,440 back to 1993 that we have met every 393 00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:47,662 requirement um in coordination with the 394 00:14:47,662 --> 00:14:49,662 Ukrainian folks . Um obviously just 395 00:14:49,662 --> 00:14:51,718 prior to the war folks were there in 396 00:14:51,718 --> 00:14:53,718 LVIV training them . We continue to 397 00:14:53,718 --> 00:14:55,940 train them today on weapons systems and 398 00:14:55,940 --> 00:14:57,940 any other thing that they need help 399 00:14:57,940 --> 00:14:59,718 with in Germany so fast . We'll 400 00:14:59,718 --> 00:15:02,051 obviously do whatever we're asked to do . 401 00:15:02,051 --> 00:15:03,996 The guard provided Abrams training 402 00:15:03,996 --> 00:15:06,570 before in europe . I don't know 403 00:15:06,570 --> 00:15:09,130 specifically um if we have or not , 404 00:15:09,140 --> 00:15:11,251 that's something I can definitely get 405 00:15:11,251 --> 00:15:13,307 back to you with for sure . And then 406 00:15:13,307 --> 00:15:16,690 the second topic um last week military 407 00:15:16,690 --> 00:15:19,000 times in the texas tribune reported one 408 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:20,889 of the border guards , one of the 409 00:15:20,889 --> 00:15:22,833 national guardsmen assigned to the 410 00:15:22,833 --> 00:15:25,056 board had been involved in a shooting . 411 00:15:25,056 --> 00:15:27,278 Are you concerned that you know , these 412 00:15:27,278 --> 00:15:29,389 guard duty is falling under the state 413 00:15:29,389 --> 00:15:31,444 governor , but it's still reflecting 414 00:15:31,444 --> 00:15:33,500 upon the National Guard as a whole . 415 00:15:33,500 --> 00:15:35,722 Have you talked to the state governor ? 416 00:15:35,722 --> 00:15:38,000 Um do you have any concerns about this ? 417 00:15:38,235 --> 00:15:40,235 Which are obviously we're concerned 418 00:15:40,235 --> 00:15:42,402 with our guardsmen no matter what duty 419 00:15:42,402 --> 00:15:44,624 status that they're in . We're in close 420 00:15:44,624 --> 00:15:46,846 coordination and communication with the 421 00:15:46,846 --> 00:15:48,957 texas National Guard leadership and I 422 00:15:48,957 --> 00:15:48,645 know there's currently an ongoing 423 00:15:48,645 --> 00:15:51,690 investigation related to that . Um But 424 00:15:51,700 --> 00:15:53,811 you know , we do everything we can to 425 00:15:53,811 --> 00:15:55,811 help facilitate and communicate and 426 00:15:55,811 --> 00:15:58,033 understand exactly what they're doing , 427 00:15:58,033 --> 00:15:59,867 particularly when they're in the 428 00:15:59,867 --> 00:15:59,670 command and control of the governor . 429 00:15:59,680 --> 00:16:02,260 Um But the nice thing is Tony was down 430 00:16:02,260 --> 00:16:04,316 there just a couple of weeks ago and 431 00:16:04,316 --> 00:16:06,316 Tony , I'd like to hand over you to 432 00:16:06,316 --> 00:16:08,427 what you saw in person there . Thanks 433 00:16:08,427 --> 00:16:10,538 sir . I did have an opportunity to be 434 00:16:10,538 --> 00:16:12,593 there just recently and then back in 435 00:16:12,593 --> 00:16:14,704 november , we spent the holidays with 436 00:16:14,704 --> 00:16:16,760 them , which was extremely important 437 00:16:16,760 --> 00:16:16,610 for the soldiers that were down there . 438 00:16:16,620 --> 00:16:18,842 What we found out was that the training 439 00:16:18,842 --> 00:16:20,953 is dead , definitely key to uh to the 440 00:16:20,953 --> 00:16:23,009 work that they're doing down there . 441 00:16:23,009 --> 00:16:22,515 They're motivated . They are 442 00:16:22,515 --> 00:16:24,515 professional , they are interacting 443 00:16:24,515 --> 00:16:26,626 with the local officials and with our 444 00:16:26,626 --> 00:16:28,755 federal government as needed . Uh You 445 00:16:28,755 --> 00:16:30,977 would be really , really impressed with 446 00:16:30,977 --> 00:16:33,033 one the community support and to the 447 00:16:33,033 --> 00:16:35,144 level of morale and welfare they have 448 00:16:35,144 --> 00:16:37,366 as as to the job and they are extremely 449 00:16:37,366 --> 00:16:39,540 excited about doing the job . Okay . 450 00:16:39,540 --> 00:16:41,750 I'm gonna go to zoom Haley with CNN do 451 00:16:41,750 --> 00:16:44,920 you have a question ? Hi , I do . Thank 452 00:16:44,920 --> 00:16:47,670 you so much . Um I was wondering if we 453 00:16:47,670 --> 00:16:49,559 could just kind of get more of an 454 00:16:49,559 --> 00:16:51,503 update general . You mentioned the 455 00:16:51,503 --> 00:16:53,780 training ongoing for Ukrainians um 456 00:16:53,790 --> 00:16:55,957 happening now with with guard soldiers 457 00:16:55,957 --> 00:16:58,179 out in Germany , could you just give us 458 00:16:58,179 --> 00:16:58,150 an update on kind of what you're 459 00:16:58,150 --> 00:17:00,210 hearing ? Um and seeing is that 460 00:17:00,210 --> 00:17:03,070 training is ongoing ? Um And then I 461 00:17:03,070 --> 00:17:06,060 have a follow up question . So Haley , 462 00:17:06,060 --> 00:17:08,282 I had the opportunity to actually visit 463 00:17:08,282 --> 00:17:11,570 them um in 2022 in june as we're 464 00:17:11,570 --> 00:17:13,790 training the Ukrainians there and I 465 00:17:13,790 --> 00:17:16,068 will tell you it's it's a great effort . 466 00:17:16,068 --> 00:17:18,123 Um Their Ukrainian soldiers are very 467 00:17:18,123 --> 00:17:19,900 motivated . Um Obviously their 468 00:17:19,900 --> 00:17:22,150 country's been invaded um an unprovoked 469 00:17:22,150 --> 00:17:24,317 invasion and they're they're trying to 470 00:17:24,317 --> 00:17:27,130 defend their their sovereignty . And so 471 00:17:27,140 --> 00:17:29,307 when we look at the training , we work 472 00:17:29,307 --> 00:17:31,740 with them very closely um on the areas 473 00:17:31,740 --> 00:17:33,907 that they feel like they need help and 474 00:17:33,907 --> 00:17:36,018 we focus on that and particularly any 475 00:17:36,018 --> 00:17:38,129 any newer weapons systems or training 476 00:17:38,129 --> 00:17:39,907 on weapons systems that they're 477 00:17:39,907 --> 00:17:41,907 employing , we're really focused on 478 00:17:41,907 --> 00:17:43,907 that . But I would tell you it's uh 479 00:17:43,907 --> 00:17:45,796 it's pretty motivating to see the 480 00:17:45,796 --> 00:17:47,796 dedication of our guardsmen and the 481 00:17:47,796 --> 00:17:49,962 Ukrainian soldiers working together to 482 00:17:49,962 --> 00:17:51,907 prepare them to go back into their 483 00:17:51,907 --> 00:17:53,796 country . Thank you . And just to 484 00:17:53,796 --> 00:17:55,796 follow up on the question about the 485 00:17:55,796 --> 00:17:57,962 situation at the border , um could you 486 00:17:57,962 --> 00:18:00,129 just kind of clarify , I mean what are 487 00:18:00,129 --> 00:18:00,040 there left and right limits so to speak ? 488 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:02,151 I mean what what are they supposed to 489 00:18:02,151 --> 00:18:04,207 uh you know , authorized to be doing 490 00:18:04,207 --> 00:18:06,429 authorized ? I think that role has kind 491 00:18:06,429 --> 00:18:08,429 of evolved over time from when they 492 00:18:08,429 --> 00:18:07,910 were supposed to be in sort of this 493 00:18:07,910 --> 00:18:09,632 operations role and not really 494 00:18:09,632 --> 00:18:11,799 interacting with migrants very much to 495 00:18:11,799 --> 00:18:13,910 now . The situation where we just saw 496 00:18:13,910 --> 00:18:15,966 in the media recently . So could you 497 00:18:15,966 --> 00:18:18,021 just kind of go back over what those 498 00:18:18,021 --> 00:18:20,188 limits are for them ? So hell yeah . I 499 00:18:20,188 --> 00:18:22,021 mean , I can answer the question 500 00:18:22,021 --> 00:18:24,188 related to the title 10 Forces that we 501 00:18:24,188 --> 00:18:26,299 have rotational down on the southwest 502 00:18:26,299 --> 00:18:25,490 border and they're really in direct 503 00:18:25,490 --> 00:18:28,310 support of CBP with respect to 504 00:18:28,310 --> 00:18:30,143 Operation Lone Star in the texas 505 00:18:30,143 --> 00:18:32,088 National Guard working under State 506 00:18:32,088 --> 00:18:34,143 Active Duty . I would really have to 507 00:18:34,143 --> 00:18:36,400 refer you to the uh the texas National 508 00:18:36,400 --> 00:18:38,511 Guard in the state of texas to answer 509 00:18:38,511 --> 00:18:40,733 specific questions with related to what 510 00:18:40,733 --> 00:18:44,640 they're doing , Okay , do we have any 511 00:18:44,640 --> 00:18:45,880 other questions , Jim 512 00:18:48,080 --> 00:18:51,600 Chief , just if I if I if I could 513 00:18:52,510 --> 00:18:56,490 you know um when Russia invaded 514 00:18:56,490 --> 00:18:58,780 Ukraine everybody thought that Russia 515 00:18:58,780 --> 00:19:01,002 would stomp all over these books . They 516 00:19:01,002 --> 00:19:03,260 had essentially the same equipment . 517 00:19:03,280 --> 00:19:06,610 The big difference was the training 518 00:19:06,620 --> 00:19:10,250 that they received and uh specifically 519 00:19:10,250 --> 00:19:12,640 the N . C . O . Training uh and the 520 00:19:12,640 --> 00:19:14,807 development of the N . C . O . Corps . 521 00:19:14,807 --> 00:19:17,140 Is that something that's still going on ? 522 00:19:17,140 --> 00:19:19,251 Are you still working on that even as 523 00:19:19,251 --> 00:19:21,362 they're in the midst of the war ? And 524 00:19:21,362 --> 00:19:23,473 and where do you see that going if in 525 00:19:23,473 --> 00:19:26,370 fact that is that is happening ? So jim 526 00:19:26,370 --> 00:19:28,537 a great point that you brought up . So 527 00:19:28,537 --> 00:19:30,648 if you look at the uh the invasion in 528 00:19:30,648 --> 00:19:32,920 2014 after that we worked very closely 529 00:19:32,920 --> 00:19:35,087 with the Ukrainians and the California 530 00:19:35,087 --> 00:19:37,540 National Guard to identify those areas 531 00:19:37,540 --> 00:19:39,760 where they felt that they could really 532 00:19:39,760 --> 00:19:43,180 improve to uh prepare themselves . Um 533 00:19:43,190 --> 00:19:45,246 If anything like that occurred again 534 00:19:45,246 --> 00:19:47,412 which we saw last year and one of that 535 00:19:47,412 --> 00:19:49,246 as you mentioned was N . C . O . 536 00:19:49,246 --> 00:19:51,468 Development . And so as our guard units 537 00:19:51,468 --> 00:19:53,523 have rotated through since 2015 with 538 00:19:53,523 --> 00:19:55,412 the Joint Military Training group 539 00:19:55,412 --> 00:19:57,930 Ukraine we've really focused on 540 00:19:57,940 --> 00:19:59,773 developing their noncommissioned 541 00:19:59,773 --> 00:20:01,718 officers as well as a couple other 542 00:20:01,718 --> 00:20:03,940 areas that they that they really wanted 543 00:20:03,940 --> 00:20:06,107 to work on and when you look at at the 544 00:20:06,107 --> 00:20:08,162 predictors when when the war started 545 00:20:08,162 --> 00:20:10,329 there were a lot of folks that said it 546 00:20:10,329 --> 00:20:12,384 would be a matter of days or weeks , 547 00:20:12,384 --> 00:20:14,607 but from our guardsmen that had trained 548 00:20:14,607 --> 00:20:16,773 the Ukrainians , they said not so fast 549 00:20:16,773 --> 00:20:18,996 that they really felt that the training 550 00:20:18,996 --> 00:20:21,051 that they had really taken seriously 551 00:20:21,051 --> 00:20:23,218 and we saw that the impact , obviously 552 00:20:23,218 --> 00:20:24,996 the greatest credit goes to the 553 00:20:24,996 --> 00:20:27,107 Ukrainian people and their forces for 554 00:20:27,107 --> 00:20:26,770 standing up for their own sovereignty 555 00:20:26,770 --> 00:20:29,030 and defending their homeland . But it 556 00:20:29,030 --> 00:20:31,197 was one of those things that we worked 557 00:20:31,197 --> 00:20:33,363 on and we continue to work on with the 558 00:20:33,363 --> 00:20:35,586 Ukrainians right now . Um the key thing 559 00:20:35,586 --> 00:20:37,697 is areas that they ask us for support 560 00:20:37,697 --> 00:20:39,697 on and training . We really try and 561 00:20:39,697 --> 00:20:42,930 focus directly on that for the senior 562 00:20:42,930 --> 00:20:45,860 enlisted leader . If are you are you 563 00:20:46,780 --> 00:20:48,730 are you learning lessons from the 564 00:20:48,730 --> 00:20:51,040 Ukrainians ? I mean obviously this is a 565 00:20:51,050 --> 00:20:53,280 two way street . Are you , are you 566 00:20:53,290 --> 00:20:55,730 learning lessons from what they've gone 567 00:20:55,730 --> 00:20:58,180 through ? We are . I think one of the 568 00:20:58,190 --> 00:21:00,357 most important things that I'd like to 569 00:21:00,357 --> 00:21:02,301 go back what the chief was talking 570 00:21:02,301 --> 00:21:02,270 about as far as developing the enlisted 571 00:21:02,400 --> 00:21:04,620 or that N . C . O . Development . What 572 00:21:04,620 --> 00:21:06,676 you find is our american forces when 573 00:21:06,676 --> 00:21:08,842 they went over . Uh , and you heard me 574 00:21:08,842 --> 00:21:10,676 talk about educate , empower and 575 00:21:10,676 --> 00:21:12,620 execute . You know , the education 576 00:21:12,620 --> 00:21:14,676 piece was extremely important and as 577 00:21:14,676 --> 00:21:16,898 the Ukrainian leaders saw the N . C . O 578 00:21:16,898 --> 00:21:19,120 Corps taking the lead on the training , 579 00:21:19,120 --> 00:21:21,342 uh , empowerment was extremely key to , 580 00:21:21,342 --> 00:21:23,564 you know , a piece of that piece of the 581 00:21:23,564 --> 00:21:25,731 puzzle . They trained them , they felt 582 00:21:25,731 --> 00:21:24,700 empowered to actually get out and do 583 00:21:24,700 --> 00:21:26,422 the training themselves and to 584 00:21:26,422 --> 00:21:28,589 replicate their training over and over 585 00:21:28,589 --> 00:21:30,811 again . And so they found themselves on 586 00:21:30,811 --> 00:21:32,867 the field obviously weren't there to 587 00:21:32,867 --> 00:21:35,033 see it but we saw the benefits of it . 588 00:21:35,033 --> 00:21:37,144 They were able to lead from the front 589 00:21:37,144 --> 00:21:39,200 at the lowest level of supervision . 590 00:21:39,200 --> 00:21:38,760 That's where our N . C . O . S . Really 591 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:40,871 are effective because the things that 592 00:21:40,871 --> 00:21:42,982 are our commanders empower them to do 593 00:21:42,982 --> 00:21:45,204 they take hold of it . They educate the 594 00:21:45,204 --> 00:21:47,260 forces , they do the over Washington 595 00:21:47,260 --> 00:21:49,316 sure they have the training and then 596 00:21:49,316 --> 00:21:51,538 execution takes place . And it was it's 597 00:21:51,538 --> 00:21:53,649 a force multiplier and it is a morale 598 00:21:53,649 --> 00:21:55,427 builder as well . And so for us 599 00:21:55,427 --> 00:21:57,538 learning what we learned was one that 600 00:21:57,538 --> 00:21:59,538 we're doing it right and we want to 601 00:21:59,538 --> 00:22:01,427 continue to prove on that because 602 00:22:01,427 --> 00:22:03,649 improve on that . I'm sorry but what we 603 00:22:03,649 --> 00:22:05,871 want to find out more and more from our 604 00:22:05,871 --> 00:22:07,816 youngest of enlisted is how can we 605 00:22:07,816 --> 00:22:09,871 better help them to do the job . And 606 00:22:09,871 --> 00:22:12,038 also get to the other side of which is 607 00:22:12,038 --> 00:22:14,149 the soldier care because if they have 608 00:22:14,149 --> 00:22:16,149 the right frame of mind and they're 609 00:22:16,149 --> 00:22:18,260 thinking more about the job and don't 610 00:22:18,260 --> 00:22:17,770 have to think about family . They're 611 00:22:17,770 --> 00:22:19,826 thinking about morale and welfare of 612 00:22:19,826 --> 00:22:21,937 the soldiers that are doing the job . 613 00:22:21,937 --> 00:22:23,992 We see a huge benefit and then doing 614 00:22:23,992 --> 00:22:25,937 you know effectively executing the 615 00:22:25,937 --> 00:22:27,992 mission . Are you seeing more demand 616 00:22:27,992 --> 00:22:30,340 from other State Partnership units to 617 00:22:30,350 --> 00:22:33,100 uh work on the N . C . O . Of course 618 00:22:33,180 --> 00:22:35,480 you know jim we actually have , when 619 00:22:35,480 --> 00:22:37,480 you look at our state partners , it 620 00:22:37,480 --> 00:22:39,702 really is a two way relationship . We , 621 00:22:39,702 --> 00:22:41,813 we train with them on areas that they 622 00:22:41,813 --> 00:22:44,036 would like to , you know , really share 623 00:22:44,036 --> 00:22:43,980 our expertise and vice versa . We learn 624 00:22:43,980 --> 00:22:47,600 from them as well . But after Russia's 625 00:22:47,600 --> 00:22:50,410 invasion of Ukraine , we had a few of 626 00:22:50,410 --> 00:22:52,577 our state partners reach out and say , 627 00:22:52,577 --> 00:22:54,577 okay , these are areas that we feel 628 00:22:54,577 --> 00:22:56,910 like we should probably develop as well . 629 00:22:56,910 --> 00:22:58,577 And we've really tailored our 630 00:22:58,577 --> 00:23:00,799 engagements since then to address those 631 00:23:00,799 --> 00:23:02,854 concerns that each of these separate 632 00:23:02,854 --> 00:23:05,021 countries have . Do you have any other 633 00:23:05,021 --> 00:23:07,250 questions in the room ? So a handful of 634 00:23:07,250 --> 00:23:10,430 these initiatives , the healthcare , 635 00:23:10,430 --> 00:23:12,600 the duty status , the training , even 636 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:14,822 the fitness challenge seemed to be kind 637 00:23:14,822 --> 00:23:17,100 of about getting the National Guard on , 638 00:23:17,100 --> 00:23:19,322 on par with the active duty force . And 639 00:23:19,322 --> 00:23:21,544 I'm wondering because there are so many 640 00:23:21,544 --> 00:23:23,767 fewer overseas deployment opportunities 641 00:23:23,767 --> 00:23:25,878 unless you know , sort of integration 642 00:23:25,878 --> 00:23:27,933 lockstep between active duty and the 643 00:23:27,933 --> 00:23:30,044 National Guard versus how it has been 644 00:23:30,044 --> 00:23:32,156 during the war on terror . Is there a 645 00:23:32,156 --> 00:23:34,378 gap that you guys are trying to fill in 646 00:23:34,378 --> 00:23:36,378 terms of discipline or readiness or 647 00:23:36,378 --> 00:23:38,430 even fitness to keep National Guard 648 00:23:38,430 --> 00:23:40,980 troops just as ready to go as active 649 00:23:40,980 --> 00:23:43,270 duty troops are . So that's a great 650 00:23:43,270 --> 00:23:45,381 question Megan . And when you look at 651 00:23:45,381 --> 00:23:47,214 us , we have got to be ready for 652 00:23:47,214 --> 00:23:49,470 whatever our nation asked us to do And 653 00:23:49,470 --> 00:23:51,550 what we saw during COVID is it was 654 00:23:51,550 --> 00:23:53,717 really no notice mobilizations . Large 655 00:23:53,717 --> 00:23:56,370 scale of 47,000 guardsmen across our 656 00:23:56,370 --> 00:23:58,750 country And what we're really trying to 657 00:23:58,750 --> 00:24:01,270 focus on because the rotations have 658 00:24:01,270 --> 00:24:03,140 decreased , we still have 22,000 659 00:24:03,140 --> 00:24:05,230 deployed today , but that's down 660 00:24:05,230 --> 00:24:07,286 significantly from where it was over 661 00:24:07,286 --> 00:24:09,508 the last 20 years . And so we're really 662 00:24:09,508 --> 00:24:11,870 trying to do is encourage our guardsmen 663 00:24:11,880 --> 00:24:14,110 and our trainers at every single level 664 00:24:14,110 --> 00:24:16,360 our leadership to make sure that we do 665 00:24:16,360 --> 00:24:18,600 focus on readiness because we don't 666 00:24:18,600 --> 00:24:20,767 know how much time we're gonna have to 667 00:24:20,767 --> 00:24:22,822 prepare . So everything we can do at 668 00:24:22,822 --> 00:24:25,044 the individual level and the small unit 669 00:24:25,044 --> 00:24:27,156 level to build that readiness so that 670 00:24:27,156 --> 00:24:29,211 we're ready when called or if it's a 671 00:24:29,211 --> 00:24:31,267 large scale mobilization , we've got 672 00:24:31,267 --> 00:24:33,433 that foundational readiness built . So 673 00:24:33,433 --> 00:24:35,156 it will decrease the amount of 674 00:24:35,156 --> 00:24:37,156 organizational readiness we need to 675 00:24:37,156 --> 00:24:39,100 build . So that's that's something 676 00:24:39,100 --> 00:24:41,267 we're absolutely working on and Tony . 677 00:24:41,267 --> 00:24:40,930 I think you can probably touch on that 678 00:24:40,930 --> 00:24:43,041 as well . I appreciate that , sir . I 679 00:24:43,041 --> 00:24:45,208 will tell you and thank you for asking 680 00:24:45,208 --> 00:24:47,097 that question . Um , We're always 681 00:24:47,097 --> 00:24:47,060 excited as a National Guard when we 682 00:24:47,060 --> 00:24:49,116 hear that . And what's so impressive 683 00:24:49,116 --> 00:24:51,171 about our soldiers and our airmen is 684 00:24:51,171 --> 00:24:53,338 when anything comes up there like five 685 00:24:53,338 --> 00:24:53,080 words that you all the time . Where do 686 00:24:53,080 --> 00:24:55,136 you need me ? And part of that means 687 00:24:55,136 --> 00:24:57,390 being ready at any given time . And so 688 00:24:57,390 --> 00:24:59,730 what you'll find is that fitness , you 689 00:24:59,730 --> 00:25:02,063 know , all those things that , you know , 690 00:25:02,063 --> 00:25:04,174 individual writing . Those are things 691 00:25:04,174 --> 00:25:06,508 that commanders for sergeants , they're , 692 00:25:06,508 --> 00:25:08,452 they're instituting throughout the 693 00:25:08,452 --> 00:25:10,563 formation every single time they meet 694 00:25:10,563 --> 00:25:12,786 with their soldiers and airmen . And so 695 00:25:12,786 --> 00:25:12,100 it's not just about the training 696 00:25:12,100 --> 00:25:14,211 weekend where you'll see these things 697 00:25:14,211 --> 00:25:16,322 happen . It's the communication piece 698 00:25:16,322 --> 00:25:18,489 that happens throughout the month . So 699 00:25:18,489 --> 00:25:17,910 they don't find themselves thinking , 700 00:25:17,910 --> 00:25:19,966 well , I've got to get ready to come 701 00:25:19,966 --> 00:25:21,799 back to drill , to get ready for 702 00:25:21,799 --> 00:25:23,854 fitness to get ready to do all those 703 00:25:23,854 --> 00:25:26,077 other things to get me ready to go down 704 00:25:26,077 --> 00:25:25,350 range . These are things that are 705 00:25:25,560 --> 00:25:27,782 institutionalized that our soldiers and 706 00:25:27,782 --> 00:25:30,004 airmen are doing throughout the month . 707 00:25:30,004 --> 00:25:32,004 So it's , it's , it's an impressive 708 00:25:32,004 --> 00:25:31,800 thing to watch that are citizen 709 00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:33,911 soldiers and airmen , they take their 710 00:25:33,911 --> 00:25:36,078 role extremely seriously . So it's not 711 00:25:36,078 --> 00:25:38,356 just about being there for the weekend , 712 00:25:38,356 --> 00:25:37,940 It's about throughout the month and 713 00:25:37,940 --> 00:25:40,162 it's , it's a career for them as well . 714 00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:42,490 And in terms of the health care and pay 715 00:25:42,500 --> 00:25:45,470 reform is that with an eye toward 716 00:25:45,470 --> 00:25:47,581 retention , is that to make sure that 717 00:25:47,581 --> 00:25:49,581 people who are serving the National 718 00:25:49,581 --> 00:25:51,748 Guard still feel like they are getting 719 00:25:51,748 --> 00:25:51,450 the benefits of serving in the military , 720 00:25:51,450 --> 00:25:53,617 even if they are not downrange as much 721 00:25:53,617 --> 00:25:55,617 as they used to be . So it's really 722 00:25:55,617 --> 00:25:57,900 kind of twofold obviously that the 723 00:25:57,900 --> 00:25:59,900 first one is , is , you know , they 724 00:25:59,900 --> 00:26:01,789 make a significant investment and 725 00:26:01,789 --> 00:26:04,011 giving up a large part of their life to 726 00:26:04,011 --> 00:26:06,233 go through their training and then give 727 00:26:06,233 --> 00:26:06,080 up there one weekend a month and 728 00:26:06,090 --> 00:26:09,600 oftentimes exceeds that . So we want to 729 00:26:09,600 --> 00:26:11,767 make sure that whenever we call them , 730 00:26:11,767 --> 00:26:13,767 they can step on the field and play 731 00:26:13,767 --> 00:26:15,878 their position and if they've got the 732 00:26:15,878 --> 00:26:17,600 medical care , they can do the 733 00:26:17,600 --> 00:26:19,767 preventive care or if they get injured 734 00:26:19,767 --> 00:26:21,822 at any time that they're ready to go 735 00:26:21,822 --> 00:26:24,044 and medically ready . So that's part of 736 00:26:24,044 --> 00:26:26,267 it . The other thing is we want to make 737 00:26:26,267 --> 00:26:28,267 sure that we do keep an eye towards 738 00:26:28,267 --> 00:26:30,433 recruiting and retention and that is a 739 00:26:30,433 --> 00:26:30,320 big thing when you look at the current 740 00:26:30,320 --> 00:26:32,320 environment right now with a lot of 741 00:26:32,320 --> 00:26:33,820 companies , things that we 742 00:26:33,820 --> 00:26:35,709 traditionally relied on , um , to 743 00:26:35,709 --> 00:26:37,709 encourage folks to join the guard , 744 00:26:37,709 --> 00:26:39,820 educational benefits , training those 745 00:26:39,820 --> 00:26:41,987 type of things . Many corporations now 746 00:26:41,987 --> 00:26:43,709 do that as well because , um , 747 00:26:43,709 --> 00:26:45,764 difficult the , the environment is , 748 00:26:45,764 --> 00:26:47,931 and so we need to keep in touch and in 749 00:26:47,931 --> 00:26:49,987 tune with that environment , um , to 750 00:26:49,987 --> 00:26:51,987 provide those things that encourage 751 00:26:51,987 --> 00:26:53,987 people to join our organization and 752 00:26:53,987 --> 00:26:56,098 then stay in . One thing that is nice 753 00:26:56,098 --> 00:26:57,653 is once we get folks in the 754 00:26:57,653 --> 00:26:59,820 organization , our retention rates are 755 00:26:59,820 --> 00:27:02,042 extremely high . Um , but the key is to 756 00:27:02,042 --> 00:27:04,209 getting him in that front door and and 757 00:27:04,209 --> 00:27:06,542 showing them what we have to offer . Hi , 758 00:27:06,542 --> 00:27:08,700 thank you both for doing this . First 759 00:27:08,700 --> 00:27:10,980 to follow up on the three D . Printed 760 00:27:10,980 --> 00:27:14,220 military barracks . Our service members 761 00:27:14,220 --> 00:27:16,109 using those right now and sort of 762 00:27:16,109 --> 00:27:18,164 stepping back big picture , What are 763 00:27:18,164 --> 00:27:21,330 your plans or priorities around three D 764 00:27:21,330 --> 00:27:23,441 printing for innovation in the coming 765 00:27:23,441 --> 00:27:26,940 year ? I believe they are utilizing the 766 00:27:26,940 --> 00:27:29,162 barracks . I've seen pictures of it and 767 00:27:29,162 --> 00:27:31,218 videos . Um , they had a news report 768 00:27:31,218 --> 00:27:33,690 there in texas . Um but to us when we 769 00:27:33,690 --> 00:27:35,801 look at the cost savings and the time 770 00:27:35,801 --> 00:27:37,912 at which you know , we can't help but 771 00:27:37,912 --> 00:27:39,801 take a look at this as a possible 772 00:27:39,801 --> 00:27:41,912 solution going forward . And this was 773 00:27:41,912 --> 00:27:43,968 really the first test and then we're 774 00:27:43,968 --> 00:27:46,190 looking for other applications where we 775 00:27:46,190 --> 00:27:48,301 can consider that . And when you look 776 00:27:48,301 --> 00:27:50,523 at the importance of three D . Printing 777 00:27:50,523 --> 00:27:52,746 um the ability to create just say parts 778 00:27:52,746 --> 00:27:54,579 of piece of equipment instead of 779 00:27:54,579 --> 00:27:56,634 storing it on the shelf or trying to 780 00:27:56,634 --> 00:27:58,746 get it one way or another . If you've 781 00:27:58,746 --> 00:28:00,746 got that three D printer capable of 782 00:28:00,746 --> 00:28:02,968 making those parts at the point of need 783 00:28:02,968 --> 00:28:04,968 and then just being able to make it 784 00:28:04,968 --> 00:28:07,134 when you need it . I think it's one of 785 00:28:07,134 --> 00:28:07,110 those ways that we can not only save 786 00:28:07,110 --> 00:28:10,070 money but become more effective and 787 00:28:10,070 --> 00:28:12,181 more efficient by having that ability 788 00:28:12,181 --> 00:28:14,640 to produce that stuff on hand and Tony 789 00:28:14,640 --> 00:28:17,180 think anything you're seeing like that 790 00:28:17,180 --> 00:28:19,402 sir . I know we just had an opportunity 791 00:28:19,402 --> 00:28:21,569 to go to texas to see that as well and 792 00:28:21,569 --> 00:28:23,624 we look forward to seeing it because 793 00:28:23,624 --> 00:28:25,458 it's amazing the things that are 794 00:28:25,458 --> 00:28:27,402 teaching now to some of our newest 795 00:28:27,402 --> 00:28:26,760 soldiers and everything coming in 796 00:28:26,770 --> 00:28:28,603 understand . And so three D . Is 797 00:28:28,603 --> 00:28:30,492 probably gonna be the wave of the 798 00:28:30,492 --> 00:28:32,381 future , not just as we see it as 799 00:28:32,381 --> 00:28:34,548 building infrastructure but those that 800 00:28:34,548 --> 00:28:34,100 are coming in that will be part of the 801 00:28:34,100 --> 00:28:35,933 conversation will help them move 802 00:28:35,933 --> 00:28:38,450 forward . Thank you . And then um I'm 803 00:28:38,460 --> 00:28:41,610 interested in hearing about trends 804 00:28:41,620 --> 00:28:44,080 around cybersecurity assistant request 805 00:28:44,080 --> 00:28:46,260 to the guard . What did that look like 806 00:28:46,270 --> 00:28:48,492 in 2022 ? Was it on the rise ? And what 807 00:28:48,492 --> 00:28:50,060 are you anticipating around 808 00:28:50,060 --> 00:28:53,250 cybersecurity assistance in 2023 ? So 809 00:28:53,250 --> 00:28:55,210 interestingly , one of the biggest 810 00:28:55,210 --> 00:28:57,210 demands we get is through our state 811 00:28:57,210 --> 00:28:58,988 partnership programs . A lot of 812 00:28:58,988 --> 00:29:01,210 countries are concerned about the cyber 813 00:29:01,210 --> 00:29:03,154 defense of their nations and their 814 00:29:03,154 --> 00:29:05,377 militaries . And so in many times we'll 815 00:29:05,377 --> 00:29:07,580 leverage our our cyber forces to help 816 00:29:07,580 --> 00:29:09,469 train them and really work on the 817 00:29:09,469 --> 00:29:11,830 basics and sometimes advance on how 818 00:29:11,830 --> 00:29:14,052 they would help protect their systems . 819 00:29:14,052 --> 00:29:15,886 But when you look at the midterm 820 00:29:15,886 --> 00:29:17,997 elections , we had done this actually 821 00:29:17,997 --> 00:29:20,108 going back to 2016 , working with the 822 00:29:20,108 --> 00:29:22,219 states to make sure that there was no 823 00:29:22,219 --> 00:29:24,480 compromise in the voting system . But 824 00:29:24,480 --> 00:29:26,758 within the states , the great thing is , 825 00:29:26,758 --> 00:29:28,813 is because our units are there under 826 00:29:28,813 --> 00:29:30,869 title 32 or state active duty , they 827 00:29:30,869 --> 00:29:33,202 can help mitigate some of those attacks . 828 00:29:33,202 --> 00:29:35,369 Examples are in Texas and Louisiana in 829 00:29:35,369 --> 00:29:37,591 the past couple of years where they had 830 00:29:37,591 --> 00:29:39,960 malware or ransomware that attacked 831 00:29:39,960 --> 00:29:42,182 some of their systems and the guard was 832 00:29:42,182 --> 00:29:44,349 able to come in on a state active duty 833 00:29:44,349 --> 00:29:46,460 status to help mitigate the impact of 834 00:29:46,460 --> 00:29:48,690 these public institutions . So were 835 00:29:48,690 --> 00:29:51,290 there helping anywhere in any way , any 836 00:29:51,290 --> 00:29:53,650 way in anywhere ? We can um to help 837 00:29:53,650 --> 00:29:55,872 mitigate that . And it also gives great 838 00:29:55,872 --> 00:29:58,094 experience for guardsmen who are really 839 00:29:58,094 --> 00:30:00,670 leveraging their civilian skill set to 840 00:30:00,670 --> 00:30:02,837 make a difference . Okay , we're gonna 841 00:30:02,837 --> 00:30:05,059 go back to zoom steve with military dot 842 00:30:05,059 --> 00:30:07,170 com . Do you have a question ? Yeah . 843 00:30:07,170 --> 00:30:09,226 Hey , thanks general for , for doing 844 00:30:09,226 --> 00:30:11,281 this day real real quick . What what 845 00:30:11,281 --> 00:30:13,503 does the guards recruiting numbers look 846 00:30:13,503 --> 00:30:15,614 like so far with the first quarter of 847 00:30:15,614 --> 00:30:16,614 the fiscal year ? 848 00:30:18,810 --> 00:30:22,310 Sure . Yeah . To get into the specifics 849 00:30:22,320 --> 00:30:24,487 of the numbers , that's something that 850 00:30:24,487 --> 00:30:26,709 we're working on right now . But what I 851 00:30:26,709 --> 00:30:28,709 will , what I will tell you is that 852 00:30:28,709 --> 00:30:30,876 some of the challenges that we thought 853 00:30:30,876 --> 00:30:30,290 we would be facing , You know , we see 854 00:30:30,290 --> 00:30:32,240 them , but we're getting the right 855 00:30:32,250 --> 00:30:34,306 people into the National Guard as we 856 00:30:34,306 --> 00:30:36,417 need them . Um , what I'll tell you . 857 00:30:36,417 --> 00:30:38,583 Um , and I was just in California this 858 00:30:38,583 --> 00:30:40,417 past weekend with the California 859 00:30:40,417 --> 00:30:42,639 National Guard . What's most impressive 860 00:30:42,639 --> 00:30:44,639 about the new recruits that we have 861 00:30:44,639 --> 00:30:44,520 coming in ? Is that when people talk 862 00:30:44,520 --> 00:30:46,520 about whether or not we'll meet our 863 00:30:46,520 --> 00:30:48,742 numbers , I I say it's just a matter of 864 00:30:48,742 --> 00:30:50,798 when and we will do that . But we're 865 00:30:50,798 --> 00:30:52,964 getting the right young americans that 866 00:30:52,964 --> 00:30:55,020 are being a part of our organization 867 00:30:55,020 --> 00:30:57,187 because they really do want to serve . 868 00:30:57,187 --> 00:30:56,590 It's just a matter of connecting with 869 00:30:56,590 --> 00:30:58,868 them and we're finding ways to do that . 870 00:30:58,868 --> 00:31:01,146 We're getting , we're getting creative , 871 00:31:01,146 --> 00:31:03,201 we're getting innovative and we find 872 00:31:03,201 --> 00:31:05,146 that once we start doing that they 873 00:31:05,146 --> 00:31:07,090 start coming to us and some of the 874 00:31:07,090 --> 00:31:09,312 young faces . I saw it just reminded me 875 00:31:09,312 --> 00:31:11,534 when I talked to jokes about is that we 876 00:31:11,534 --> 00:31:13,701 will we will get to those numbers that 877 00:31:13,701 --> 00:31:15,868 we need as a National Guard as a D O . 878 00:31:15,868 --> 00:31:17,979 D . Uh it's just a matter of when and 879 00:31:17,979 --> 00:31:20,201 another quick topic real quick with the 880 00:31:20,201 --> 00:31:22,423 guard kind of coming off the gwot era . 881 00:31:22,423 --> 00:31:24,201 Um has there been any look into 882 00:31:24,201 --> 00:31:26,201 expanding its uh Special operations 883 00:31:26,201 --> 00:31:28,430 footprint ? Rather be expanding SF or 884 00:31:28,440 --> 00:31:30,273 getting a range of element or or 885 00:31:30,273 --> 00:31:34,060 anything like that ? So when we look at 886 00:31:34,060 --> 00:31:36,440 the Special Operations Forces and and 887 00:31:36,440 --> 00:31:38,662 I'll talk primarily respect to the Army 888 00:31:38,662 --> 00:31:40,773 National Guard , the only two Special 889 00:31:40,773 --> 00:31:42,940 Forces groups not on active duty or or 890 00:31:42,940 --> 00:31:45,162 in the National Guard the 19th and 20th 891 00:31:45,162 --> 00:31:47,384 group . And right now we don't have any 892 00:31:47,384 --> 00:31:49,420 plans to grow those formations but 893 00:31:49,420 --> 00:31:51,253 we're in close coordination with 894 00:31:51,253 --> 00:31:53,420 Special Operations Command and general 895 00:31:53,420 --> 00:31:55,650 Fenton uh to identify if there is 896 00:31:55,650 --> 00:31:57,872 growth opportunities and will certainly 897 00:31:57,872 --> 00:31:59,928 be part of those conversations . But 898 00:31:59,928 --> 00:32:02,150 but as of today we have not established 899 00:32:02,150 --> 00:32:04,372 any specific growth objectives over the 900 00:32:04,372 --> 00:32:08,320 next year and the year after back back 901 00:32:08,320 --> 00:32:10,630 in the room . Sorry , hi , I'm list 902 00:32:10,630 --> 00:32:12,686 reading this Fox news . Thank you so 903 00:32:12,686 --> 00:32:14,908 much for doing this . My first question 904 00:32:14,908 --> 00:32:17,074 is on exercise Northern Strike . Um So 905 00:32:17,074 --> 00:32:19,350 if you could talk about uh the 906 00:32:19,360 --> 00:32:21,082 situation in the arctic , it's 907 00:32:21,082 --> 00:32:23,138 addressing with growing threats from 908 00:32:23,138 --> 00:32:25,304 china and Russia . So I'll actually be 909 00:32:25,304 --> 00:32:27,304 there tomorrow . Um They told me to 910 00:32:27,304 --> 00:32:29,527 bring my cold weather gear . So I'll be 911 00:32:29,527 --> 00:32:31,638 ready for that . Um but when you look 912 00:32:31,638 --> 00:32:33,471 at the , at the National Guard , 913 00:32:33,471 --> 00:32:35,416 obviously we have guard units that 914 00:32:35,416 --> 00:32:37,582 operate in this environment , not year 915 00:32:37,582 --> 00:32:39,638 round , but in Alaska Maine michigan 916 00:32:39,638 --> 00:32:42,150 the Dakotas Minnesota . So we are used 917 00:32:42,150 --> 00:32:44,317 to operating in that environment . And 918 00:32:44,317 --> 00:32:46,483 earlier today I had a meeting with the 919 00:32:46,483 --> 00:32:48,960 defense attache from Norway and we'll 920 00:32:48,960 --> 00:32:51,300 be working on an exercise coming up in 921 00:32:51,300 --> 00:32:53,522 the next couple of years to really help 922 00:32:53,522 --> 00:32:55,522 learn from them . But also leverage 923 00:32:55,522 --> 00:32:57,744 what we have learned about operating in 924 00:32:57,744 --> 00:32:59,967 the arctic . What we have realized over 925 00:32:59,967 --> 00:33:01,911 time is just the importance of the 926 00:33:01,911 --> 00:33:04,500 arctic and many people look at it . 927 00:33:04,500 --> 00:33:07,190 Well you can survive in that . Well we 928 00:33:07,190 --> 00:33:09,412 would have to do more than survive . We 929 00:33:09,412 --> 00:33:11,468 would need to be able to survive and 930 00:33:11,468 --> 00:33:13,523 operate in that environment . And so 931 00:33:13,523 --> 00:33:15,579 when we look at Northern strike , it 932 00:33:15,579 --> 00:33:17,746 gives us the opportunity to be in that 933 00:33:17,746 --> 00:33:19,968 environment and then learn how we would 934 00:33:19,968 --> 00:33:22,134 operate what type of equipment works , 935 00:33:22,134 --> 00:33:22,020 what type of tactic adjustments that we 936 00:33:22,020 --> 00:33:24,290 need to do because ultimately we have 937 00:33:24,290 --> 00:33:26,457 to be prepared for whatever our nation 938 00:33:26,457 --> 00:33:28,860 asks us to do . And by focusing on the 939 00:33:28,860 --> 00:33:30,971 ability to operate in the arctic , it 940 00:33:30,971 --> 00:33:33,210 will provide us just one more means to 941 00:33:33,210 --> 00:33:36,080 hopefully help deter aggressors from 942 00:33:36,090 --> 00:33:38,640 from testing the United States . Thank 943 00:33:38,640 --> 00:33:40,584 you . And my second question is on 944 00:33:40,584 --> 00:33:42,696 readiness um with the vaccine mandate 945 00:33:42,696 --> 00:33:46,010 um reversed a few weeks ago . Have you 946 00:33:46,010 --> 00:33:49,300 seen numbers change with recruitment , 947 00:33:49,300 --> 00:33:51,411 That sort of thing ? Is it gonna help 948 00:33:51,411 --> 00:33:53,356 gonna hurt ? What do you think ? I 949 00:33:53,356 --> 00:33:55,578 think it's still a little bit too early 950 00:33:55,578 --> 00:33:57,744 to tell . Um , I know when the mandate 951 00:33:57,744 --> 00:33:59,800 was rescinded , I sent a note out as 952 00:33:59,800 --> 00:34:01,967 quickly as I could to all the 50 for , 953 00:34:01,967 --> 00:34:04,022 to send a note out to their soldiers 954 00:34:04,022 --> 00:34:06,244 and airmen who are not fully vaccinated 955 00:34:06,244 --> 00:34:08,300 to return to drill . Um , that first 956 00:34:08,300 --> 00:34:10,244 drill is coming up in February . I 957 00:34:10,244 --> 00:34:10,180 think we'll get a much better picture 958 00:34:10,180 --> 00:34:12,150 there . And then I know within the 959 00:34:12,150 --> 00:34:14,428 department they're looking at policies , 960 00:34:14,428 --> 00:34:16,483 um , to address many of the numerous 961 00:34:16,483 --> 00:34:18,650 questions that are coming up and we're 962 00:34:18,650 --> 00:34:20,817 part of that working group and will be 963 00:34:20,817 --> 00:34:22,983 involved with that to hopefully answer 964 00:34:22,983 --> 00:34:25,039 as many of those questions as we can 965 00:34:25,039 --> 00:34:27,206 Tony anything . Just briefly certain . 966 00:34:27,206 --> 00:34:29,428 Thank you . Our senior enlisted leaders 967 00:34:29,428 --> 00:34:31,539 were excited about the opportunity to 968 00:34:31,539 --> 00:34:33,594 connect with the soldiers and airmen 969 00:34:33,594 --> 00:34:33,490 that they're really waiting to hear 970 00:34:33,490 --> 00:34:35,570 some news about it . And so as the 971 00:34:35,570 --> 00:34:37,681 chief said , you know , it's too soon 972 00:34:37,681 --> 00:34:39,848 to tell . But the excitement about the 973 00:34:39,848 --> 00:34:41,959 opportunity to come back and to serve 974 00:34:41,959 --> 00:34:44,181 uh , is high . And so we're hoping that 975 00:34:44,181 --> 00:34:43,780 we see some great numbers from that . 976 00:34:43,780 --> 00:34:45,891 But it's a matter of waiting to see . 977 00:34:45,891 --> 00:34:47,780 But we're , we're , we're , we're 978 00:34:47,780 --> 00:34:49,669 impressed with , with the leaders 979 00:34:49,669 --> 00:34:52,002 making the call to say , hey , you know , 980 00:34:52,002 --> 00:34:54,169 how soon can we do this ? That was one 981 00:34:54,169 --> 00:34:54,110 of the things like , hey , how soon can 982 00:34:54,110 --> 00:34:56,221 we get them back into the formation , 983 00:34:56,221 --> 00:34:58,332 which is exciting for us here , which 984 00:34:58,332 --> 00:35:00,388 means that they're staying connected 985 00:35:00,388 --> 00:35:00,160 with those soldiers and those airmen 986 00:35:00,160 --> 00:35:02,216 that had to make that tough decision 987 00:35:02,216 --> 00:35:04,216 just to follow up on that . How how 988 00:35:04,216 --> 00:35:06,327 long is that process expected to take 989 00:35:06,327 --> 00:35:08,493 or is it just really on each person by 990 00:35:08,493 --> 00:35:10,760 person basis ? Yeah , it'll be really 991 00:35:10,760 --> 00:35:12,980 dependent on the policy decisions that 992 00:35:12,980 --> 00:35:15,091 are made . And as I mentioned , we're 993 00:35:15,091 --> 00:35:17,258 in the working group , we're trying to 994 00:35:17,258 --> 00:35:18,980 get that really those policies 995 00:35:18,980 --> 00:35:21,430 established as soon as possible . But 996 00:35:21,430 --> 00:35:23,652 unfortunately we just don't have a date 997 00:35:23,652 --> 00:35:25,708 with this time . Okay , we have time 998 00:35:25,708 --> 00:35:27,819 for one final question . I'm gonna go 999 00:35:27,819 --> 00:35:29,763 back to zoom , we have Lauren with 1000 00:35:29,763 --> 00:35:28,690 defense one 1001 00:35:34,100 --> 00:35:35,822 Lauren , you have a question . 1002 00:35:38,260 --> 00:35:40,260 Okay , moving on . We have Kimberly 1003 00:35:40,260 --> 00:35:43,240 with Signal Mag . Hi , yes , thanks for 1004 00:35:43,240 --> 00:35:45,407 your time . This morning . I wanted to 1005 00:35:45,407 --> 00:35:47,518 ask general , what are the challenges 1006 00:35:47,518 --> 00:35:49,407 of modernizing to have all domain 1007 00:35:49,407 --> 00:35:52,130 combat forces um to fight across all 1008 00:35:52,130 --> 00:35:54,590 domains and you know , in multi domain 1009 00:35:54,590 --> 00:35:57,040 operations ? And then for S . C . A 1010 00:35:57,040 --> 00:35:59,151 Tony whitehead , what are kind of the 1011 00:35:59,151 --> 00:36:01,373 training training needs ? You're seeing 1012 00:36:01,373 --> 00:36:04,760 for M . D . Oh , thank you . So 1013 00:36:04,760 --> 00:36:06,982 Kimberly . When we look at multi domain 1014 00:36:06,982 --> 00:36:09,149 operations , obviously when we look at 1015 00:36:09,149 --> 00:36:11,482 how our nation will fight in the future , 1016 00:36:11,482 --> 00:36:13,704 a lot of that is based on modernization 1017 00:36:13,704 --> 00:36:15,927 and capabilities that we're bringing to 1018 00:36:15,927 --> 00:36:17,982 bear . And when we look at the multi 1019 00:36:17,982 --> 00:36:20,093 domain , the importance for the guard 1020 00:36:20,093 --> 00:36:22,038 is because we are 20% of the joint 1021 00:36:22,038 --> 00:36:24,020 force , we're in an aspect or were 1022 00:36:24,020 --> 00:36:26,450 involved in just about everything . And 1023 00:36:26,450 --> 00:36:28,617 so for me , there's a couple of things 1024 00:36:28,617 --> 00:36:30,728 that I really try and focus on all of 1025 00:36:30,728 --> 00:36:32,839 our equipment's gotta be deployable . 1026 00:36:32,839 --> 00:36:35,061 It's got to be sustainable and it's got 1027 00:36:35,061 --> 00:36:37,339 to be interoperable on the battlefield . 1028 00:36:37,339 --> 00:36:39,506 Now , unfortunately , we can't buy all 1029 00:36:39,506 --> 00:36:41,561 this equipment at the same time . We 1030 00:36:41,561 --> 00:36:43,617 can't produce it fast enough to feel 1031 00:36:43,617 --> 00:36:45,728 the entire military at one time . And 1032 00:36:45,728 --> 00:36:47,839 so as we field systems , the National 1033 00:36:47,839 --> 00:36:49,894 Guard will be part of that process , 1034 00:36:49,894 --> 00:36:51,894 but also along the way , we need to 1035 00:36:51,894 --> 00:36:53,839 make sure that our current systems 1036 00:36:53,839 --> 00:36:56,061 until they're modernized , that they're 1037 00:36:56,061 --> 00:36:57,672 able to interact and they're 1038 00:36:57,672 --> 00:36:59,561 interoperable with those . And so 1039 00:36:59,561 --> 00:37:01,672 that's why we're very much focused on 1040 00:37:01,672 --> 00:37:03,783 that . To make sure that whatever the 1041 00:37:03,783 --> 00:37:05,894 National Guard get asked , gets asked 1042 00:37:05,894 --> 00:37:05,670 to do that we can step on the 1043 00:37:05,670 --> 00:37:07,726 battlefield and perform that mission 1044 00:37:07,726 --> 00:37:09,726 and integrate with the entire Joint 1045 00:37:09,726 --> 00:37:13,720 force Tony thanks . So to add to the 1046 00:37:13,720 --> 00:37:16,560 question that you asked , uh kim 1047 00:37:16,570 --> 00:37:18,681 Kimberly Kimberly . Yes . Right . And 1048 00:37:18,681 --> 00:37:21,130 make sure I want to tell you one of the , 1049 00:37:21,130 --> 00:37:23,186 one of the greatest things about our 1050 00:37:23,186 --> 00:37:25,186 our soldiers and our airmen is that 1051 00:37:25,186 --> 00:37:27,297 they are ready at any point in time , 1052 00:37:27,297 --> 00:37:29,408 not just to go , but to train to go . 1053 00:37:29,408 --> 00:37:31,574 You know , as the chief talked about , 1054 00:37:31,574 --> 00:37:31,120 you know , our challenges , obviously 1055 00:37:31,120 --> 00:37:33,176 getting the resources and having the 1056 00:37:33,176 --> 00:37:35,287 tools there to train with and as soon 1057 00:37:35,287 --> 00:37:37,453 as they do , they step in . So we work 1058 00:37:37,453 --> 00:37:39,676 hand in hand with our Department of the 1059 00:37:39,676 --> 00:37:41,787 Army , Department of the Air Force to 1060 00:37:41,787 --> 00:37:43,898 ensure that one we have the tools and 1061 00:37:43,898 --> 00:37:46,009 equipment we need and to that we have 1062 00:37:46,009 --> 00:37:48,120 the right enlisted leadership are non 1063 00:37:48,120 --> 00:37:50,287 commissioned officers that will go off 1064 00:37:50,287 --> 00:37:49,510 and they will get the training that 1065 00:37:49,510 --> 00:37:51,510 they need so they can come back and 1066 00:37:51,510 --> 00:37:53,177 train our forces . And so the 1067 00:37:53,177 --> 00:37:55,399 interoperability is definitely there as 1068 00:37:55,399 --> 00:37:57,621 soon as we go out . And so when it goes 1069 00:37:57,621 --> 00:37:57,370 to the multi domain that you were 1070 00:37:57,370 --> 00:37:59,520 talking about again , our folks are 1071 00:37:59,520 --> 00:38:01,410 ready to go . Interoperability is 1072 00:38:01,410 --> 00:38:03,466 extremely important and wherever you 1073 00:38:03,466 --> 00:38:05,521 send us , we will do the training so 1074 00:38:05,521 --> 00:38:07,632 that we are ready to go , not just in 1075 00:38:07,632 --> 00:38:09,466 time , but we do the training to 1076 00:38:09,466 --> 00:38:11,688 prepare as a matter of fact in a couple 1077 00:38:11,688 --> 00:38:13,910 weeks , I'm going to Alaska . Um Thanks 1078 00:38:13,910 --> 00:38:17,170 for that sir . Uh do some uh to see , I 1079 00:38:17,170 --> 00:38:19,392 was gonna say do some training with our 1080 00:38:19,392 --> 00:38:21,392 our soldiers in Alaska . And so I'm 1081 00:38:21,392 --> 00:38:23,559 excited about seeing how they train in 1082 00:38:23,559 --> 00:38:25,670 that environment . And the good thing 1083 00:38:25,670 --> 00:38:27,837 is just like you were asking earlier , 1084 00:38:27,837 --> 00:38:29,614 Megan uh the great thing is the 1085 00:38:29,614 --> 00:38:31,559 training just doesn't happen for a 1086 00:38:31,559 --> 00:38:31,420 training weekend , It happens 1087 00:38:31,420 --> 00:38:33,476 throughout the month . And sometimes 1088 00:38:33,476 --> 00:38:35,642 the training that takes place that may 1089 00:38:35,642 --> 00:38:37,753 not even take place on the field , it 1090 00:38:37,753 --> 00:38:39,809 may take place on a computer or when 1091 00:38:39,809 --> 00:38:39,350 they get together in small groups , but 1092 00:38:39,360 --> 00:38:41,527 our folks , they get the training done 1093 00:38:41,527 --> 00:38:43,693 as soon as there's new training , they 1094 00:38:43,693 --> 00:38:45,860 learn it and they share their training 1095 00:38:45,860 --> 00:38:48,082 with the Masters as much as possible to 1096 00:38:48,082 --> 00:38:50,304 the research , to the to the units that 1097 00:38:50,304 --> 00:38:50,180 need the training and then we're set 1098 00:38:50,180 --> 00:38:52,180 back and we're ready to go whenever 1099 00:38:52,180 --> 00:38:54,880 we're called . That's all we have time 1100 00:38:54,880 --> 00:38:57,047 for today . Thank you for joining us . 1101 00:38:57,047 --> 00:38:59,102 If we did not get to you or you have 1102 00:38:59,102 --> 00:39:01,324 additional questions , please feel free 1103 00:39:01,324 --> 00:39:00,890 to send those to the National Guard 1104 00:39:00,890 --> 00:39:03,001 Bureau Media desk and we'll follow up 1105 00:39:03,001 --> 00:39:05,001 on those and any taken questions as 1106 00:39:05,001 --> 00:39:07,057 soon as possible . Thank you . Thank 1107 00:39:07,057 --> 00:39:07,870 you , everybody . Great to see you .