An official website of the United States government         Here's how you know         
**Official websites use .mil**
A **.mil** website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
**Secure .mil websites use HTTPS**
 A **lock (lock )** or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Skip to main content (Press Enter).

National GuardAlways Ready Always There

National Guard

                - 

Search

Search
Search

-  Home		 
-  News    -  Guard News         
  -  Overseas Operations         
  -  State Partnership Program         
  -  News Features         
  -  RSS Feeds         
  -  Press Releases         
  -  Transcripts 
-  Features    -  Features by Year         
  -  Posture Statement         
  -  State Partnership Program         
  -  Special Features 
-  About the Guard    -  How We Began         
  -  Air National Guard         
  -  Army National Guard      -  DEERS Soldier Journey         
    -  Leader Development Program 
  -  History and Heritage         
  -  I am the Guard         
  -  NGB Official March 
-  Leadership    -  CNGB         
  -  VCNGB         
  -  SEA         
  -  DANG         
  -  DARNG         
  -  Joint Staff      -  J-1         
    -  J-2         
    -  J-3         
    -  J-4         
    -  J-5         
    -  J-6         
    -  J-7         
    -  J-8         
    -  Personal Staff        -  Inspector General         
      -  General Counsel         
      -  Public Affairs         
      -  Executive Support Services         
      -  Legislative Liaison 
    -  Special Staff        -  National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel         
      -  Office of the Provost Marshal         
      -  Office of the Joint Surgeon         
      -  Director of Acquisitions         
      -  Small Business Programs         
      -  Chaplain         
      -  Senior Leader Management Office         
      -  Diversity Equity Inclusion 
    -  Comptroller 
-  Resources    -  National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance         
  -  Community Engagement         
  -  FOIA         
  -  Fact Sheets         
  -  Helpful Links         
  -  Image Gallery      -  News Images         
    -  Graphics         
    -  Historical Paintings 
  -  Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion         
  -  Legislative Liaison         
  -  Small Business Programs         
  -  Social Media         
  -  State Websites         
  -  Videos      -  Featured Videos         
    -  On Every Front         
    -  2019 Videos         
    -  2020 Videos         
    -  2021 Videos 
  -  Suicide Prevention         
  -  Family Programs         
  -  Environmental         
  -  Trial Defense Service         
  -  Holistic Wellness Challenge 
-  Contact Us		 

Home : News : Article View

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

# Winnefeld: National Guard right for America

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Leisa GrantNational Guard Bureau

MILWAUKEE  - When he was commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command  and United States Northern Command, Navy Adm. James Winnefeld embraced the  National Guard.

Still  maintaining a close relationship with the National Guard, Winnefeld said it was  “no mistake, no accident” that this was his first speech in his new position as  the ninth vice- chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the 133rd General Conference  of the National Guard Association of the United States here last month.

Winnefeld  took special notice of this year’s conference theme – The National Guard: Right  for America, drawn from a quote by Army Col. Lewis Millett, a highly decorated  war veteran.

He  said that from his experience with the Guard, “Capt. Millett got it right – from  American’s early militias and the origins of the National Guard 375 years ago ...  to today, where over 53,000 Citizen Soldiers and Airmen are activated and  making a difference in contingency operations worldwide and right here at home.

“You  are uniquely postured, both as a personification of what is right about America  – namely, selfless service to country and community – and as a shining example  of what we are, what we believe and what we do in the United States military  for the American people.”

Winnefeld  recognized one such example of selfless service here at home – Air Force Master  Sgt. James Stranahan, a senior medic with the Indiana National Guard, who ran  toward a collapsed concert stage at the Indiana State Fair, to render medical  assistance to those who were injured.

“Every  day heroes like Sgt. Stranahan are what Capt. Millett meant when he was talking  about what is right about America’s Guard,” he said.

Winnefeld  also recognized the tens of thousands of Guard members who have served in  Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere throughout the world.

“Our  Guardsmen do their duties overseas, too. They always have and always will,” he  said.

The  admiral talked about the heroism of five Army Guard Special Forces Soldiers,  who recently earned the Croix de la Valeur Militaire, the French military award  roughly equal to the Silver Star, for demonstrating heroism – and are again  indicative of Guard members doing what is right for America, he said.

Winnefeld  said he is proud of his association with the Guard.

“I  want to assure you that I intend to continue building on my relationship with  the Guard,” he said, telling the audience they can count on him as a strong  supporter and advocate of the Guard.

“You  have transformed from a strategic reserve to one that also provides operational  full spectrum capabilities to our nation, and we’re grateful for this,” he  said, “So simply returning the reserve component, and especially the National  Guard ... to strictly strategic reserve role is a non-starter.” 

Winnefeld  said there will be tough choices ahead on force structure and that we need to  work together toward the collective good for our entire military – active,  Guard and Reserve.

He  pledged to stay connected to reserve component leaders, and to highlight the  importance of the Guard and Reserve forces, but he asked the audience for some  unique assistance.

“You  are the linchpin of maintaining the American people’s connections with the  military,” Winnefeld said. “You live and work alongside our fellow Americans in  communities. You are their aunts and uncles, friend and neighbors, their  coaches and their teachers. You as Guardsmen are uniquely postured in your  communities to take the lead in maintaining and strengthening this dialogue. 

“So  – just as we need to hear from you on the strategic issues you face, and how we  can work together – they need to hear from you about who we are and what we do  proudly each day, and every day, as members of our nation’s military.”

He  thanked Guard members and families for what they do in their states and  communities, and for the United States, here and overseas.

“Thank  you for truly living up to being all that is right about America.” 

**                    SHARE                

**                    PRINT