‘‘(c) ADVISER ON NATIONAL GUARD MATTERS.—The
Chief of the National Guard Bureau is the principal ad-
viser to the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff
of the Army, and to the Secretary of the Air Force and
the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, on matters relating
to the National Guard, the Army National Guard of the
United States, and the Air National Guard of the United
States.
‘‘(d) GRADE.—The Chief of the National Guard Bu-
reau shall be appointed to serve in a grade above major
general.
‘‘§ 293. Chief, National Guard Bureau: functions
‘‘Subject to the authority, direction, and control of
the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of the Air
Force, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau is respon-
sible for the following:
‘‘(1) Allocating unit structure, strength author-
izations, and other resources to the Army National
Guard of the United States and the Air National
Guard of the United States.
‘‘(2) Prescribing the training discipline and
training requirements for the Army National Guard
and the Air National Guard and the allocation of
Federal funds for the training of the Army National
Guard and the Air National Guard.
‘‘(3) Ensuring that units and members of the
Army National Guard and the Air National Guard
are trained by the States in accordance with ap-
proved programs and policies of, and guidance from,
the Chief, the Secretary of the Army, and the Sec-
retary of the Air Force.
‘‘(4) Monitoring and assisting the States in the
organization, maintenance, and operation of Na-
tional Guard units so as to provide well-trained and
well-equipped units capable of augmenting the active
forces in time of war or national emergency.
‘‘(5) Planning and administering the budget for
the Army National Guard of the United States and
the Air National Guard of the United States.
‘‘(6) Supervising the acquisition and supply of,
and accountability of the States for, Federal prop-
erty issued to the National Guard through the prop-
erty and fiscal officers designated, detailed, or ap-
pointed under section 708 of title 32.
‘‘(7) Granting and withdrawing, in accordance
with applicable laws and regulations, Federal rec-
ognition of (A) National Guard units, and (B) offi-
cers of the National Guard.
‘‘(8) Establishing policies and programs for the
employment and use of National Guard technicians
under section 709 of title 32.
‘‘(9) Supervising and administering the Active
Guard and Reserve program as it pertains to the
National Guard.
‘‘(10) Issuing directives, regulations, and publi-
cations consistent with approved policies of the
Army and Air Force, as appropriate.
‘‘(11) Facilitating and supporting the training
of members and units of the National Guard to meet
State requirements.
‘‘(12) Performing such other functions as may
be prescribed by the Secretary of the Army or the
Secretary of the Air Force.
‘‘§ 294. Chief of National Guard Bureau: annual re-
port
‘‘(a) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Chief of the National
Guard Bureau shall submit to the Secretary of Defense
an annual report on the state of readiness of the National
Guard and the ability of the National Guard to meet its
missions. The report shall be prepared in conjunction with
the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of the Air
Force and may be submitted in classified and unclassified
versions.
‘‘(b) SUBMISSION OF REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The
Secretary of Defense shall transmit the annual report of
the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to Congress, to-
gether with such comments on the report as the Secretary
considers appropriate. The report shall be transmitted at
the same time each year that the annual report of the Sec-
retary under section 113(c) of this title is submitted to
Congress.
‘‘§ 295. Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau
‘‘(a) APPOINTMENT.—(1) There is a Vice Chief of the
National Guard Bureau, selected by the Secretary of De-
fense from officers of the Army National Guard of the
United States or the Air National Guard of the United
States who—
‘‘(A) are recommended for such appointment by
their respective Governors or, in the case of the Dis-
trict of Columbia, the commanding general of the
District of Columbia National Guard;
‘‘(B) have had at least 10 years of federally rec-
ognized commissioned service in an active status in
the National Guard; and
‘‘(C) are in a grade above the grade of colonel.
‘‘(2) The Chief and Vice Chief of the National Guard
Bureau may not both be members of the Army or of the
Air Force.
‘‘(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an
officer appointed as Vice Chief of the National Guard Bu-
reau serves for a term of four years, but may be removed
from office at any time for cause.
‘‘(B) The term of the Vice Chief of the National
Guard Bureau shall end upon the appointment of a Chief
of the National Guard Bureau who is a member of the
same armed force as the Vice Chief.
‘‘(4) The Secretary of Defense may waive the restric-
tions in paragraph (2) and the provisions of paragraph
(3)(B) for a limited period of time to provide for the or-
derly transition of officers appointed to serve in the posi-
tions of Chief and Vice Chief of the National Guard
Bureau.
‘‘(b) DUTIES.—The Vice Chief of the National Guard
Bureau performs such duties as may be prescribed by the
Chief of the National Guard Bureau.
‘‘(c) GRADE.—The Vice Chief of the National Guard
Bureau shall be appointed to serve in a grade above briga-
dier general.
‘‘(d) FUNCTIONS AS ACTING CHIEF.—When there is
a vacancy in the office of the Chief of the National Guard
Bureau or in the absence or disability of the Chief, the
Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau acts as Chief