In 1986, Secretary of the Army John O. Marsh nominated Burdick for promotion to major general and assignment as director of the Army National Guard. As director, he was a member of the Army Staff, and was responsible for plans, programs and policies pertaining to Army National Guard units in the 54 states and territories. His service as director included overseeing the mobilization of Army National Guard units during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, as well as the fielding of the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank and the Multiple Launch Rocket System to National Guard units. He served until 1991, when he returned to Georgia.