The Chief of the National Guard Bureau (CNGB) is the head of the National Guard Bureau, which is a joint activity of the Department of Defense

United States Department of Defense

The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...

 , and is the highest ranking officer in the National Guard and the National Guard of the United States ; the latter of which is a joint reserve component of the United States Army

United States Army

The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...

 and the United States Air Force

United States Air Force

The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...

. The CNGB serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense

United States Secretary of Defense

The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...

, through the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is by law the highest ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces, and is the principal military adviser to the President of the United States, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council and the Secretary of Defense...

, on matters involving non-federalized National Guard forces and on other matters as determined by the Secretary of Defense . The CNGB also serves as the principal adviser to the Secretary of the Army

United States Secretary of the Army

The Secretary of the Army is a civilian official within the Department of Defense of the United States of America with statutory responsibility for all matters relating to the United States Army: manpower, personnel, reserve affairs, installations, environmental issues, weapons systems and...

, Secretary of the Air Force

United States Secretary of the Air Force

The Secretary of the Air Force is the Head of the Department of the Air Force, a component organization within the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Secretary of the Air Force is appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate...

, the Chief of Staff of the Army

Chief of Staff of the United States Army

The Chief of Staff of the Army is a statutory office held by a four-star general in the United States Army, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Army, and as such is the principal military advisor and a deputy to the Secretary of the Army; and is in...

, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force

Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force

The Chief of Staff of the Air Force is a statutory office held by a four-star general in the United States Air Force, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Air Force, and as such is the principal military advisor and a deputy to the Secretary of the...

, on matters relating to federalized forces of the National Guard of the United States and its subcomponents; the Army National Guard of the United States, and the Air National Guard of the United States .

The CNGB is a federally recognized commissioned officer who has served at least 10 years of federally recognized active duty in any of the Reserves of the Army or Air Force. The CNGB is nominated for appointment by the President

President of the United States

The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....

 from any eligible National Guard officers holding the rank of major general

Major general (United States)

In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...

 or above , whom also meets the requirements for the position as determined by defense secretary and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , under the advice and/or recommendation from their respective state governors and their service secretary . The nominee must be confirmed via majority vote from the Senate . The CNBG serves a four-year term of office at the pleasure of the President.. By statute, the CNGB is appointed as a four-star general

General (United States)

In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, general is a four-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. General ranks above lieutenant general and below General of the Army or General of the Air Force; the Marine Corps does not have an...

  serving in the reserve active duty of the Army or Air Force . The current CNGB is General Craig R. McKinley

Craig R. McKinley

General Craig Richard McKinley, USAF is the 26th and current Chief, National Guard Bureau. He is the first officer from the National Guard to ever achieve the grade of a four-star general. He also joins George Washington and Ulysses S. Grant as four-star officers who have served as state...

, USAF.

List of chiefs of the National Guard Bureau

Number	Name	Service	From	To
1	COL Colonel (United States) In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...  Erasmus M. Weaver, Jr.	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	February 14, 1908	March 14, 1911
2	BG Brigadier general (United States) A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...  Robert K. Evans	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	March 15, 1911	August 31, 1912
3	MG Major general (United States) In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...  Albert L. Mills	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	September 1, 1912	September 18, 1916
4	MG William A. Mann	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	October 26, 1916	November 26, 1917
5	MG Jessie Mcl. Carter	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	November 26, 1917	August 15, 1918
6	MG George C. Rickards	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	June 29, 1921	June 28, 1925
7	MG Creed C. Hammond	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	June 29, 1925	June 28, 1929
(Acting)	COL Ernest R. Redmond	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	June 29, 1929	September 30, 1929
8	MG William G. Everson	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	October 1, 1929	November 30, 1931
9	MG George E. Leach George E. Leach Major General George E. Leach was an American military officer and two-time Republican mayor of Minneapolis, Minnesota.He was commissioned a second lieutenant, Field Artillery on April 15, 1905 in the Minnesota National Guard....	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	December 1, 1931	November 30, 1935
(Acting)	COL Harold J. Weiler	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	December 1, 1935	January 16, 1936
(Acting)	COL John F. Williams John F. Williams John Francis Williams was an Army National Guard general and Chief of the National Guard Bureau during World War II. He was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania....	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	January 17, 1936	January 30, 1936
10	MG Albert H. Blanding Albert H. Blanding Albert Hazen Blanding was an United States Army soldier. Among the most distinguished military figures in Florida's history, he was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal.-Biography:...	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	January 31, 1936	January 30, 1940
11	MG John F. Williams John F. Williams John Francis Williams was an Army National Guard general and Chief of the National Guard Bureau during World War II. He was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania....	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	January 31, 1940	January 30, 1944
(Acting)	MG John F. Williams John F. Williams John Francis Williams was an Army National Guard general and Chief of the National Guard Bureau during World War II. He was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania....	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	January 31, 1944	January 31, 1946
12	MG Butler B. Miltonberger Butler B. Miltonberger Butler Buchanan Miltonberger was a distinguished officer in the United States Army and former Chief of the National Guard Bureau.-Biography:Miltonberger was born at North Platte, Nebraska, on August 31, 1897...	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	February 1, 1946	September 29, 1947
13	MG Kenneth F. Cramer	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	September 30, 1947	September 4, 1950
(Acting)	MG Raymond H. Fleming	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	September 5, 1950	August 13, 1951
14	MG Raymond H. Fleming	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	August 14, 1951	February 15, 1953
(Acting)	Maj Gen Major general (United States) In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...  Earl T. Ricks	USAF United States Air Force The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...	February 16, 1953	June 21, 1953
15	MG Edgar C. Erickson	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	June 22, 1953	May 31, 1959
(Acting)	Maj Gen Winston P. Wilson	USAF United States Air Force The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...	June 1, 1959	July 19, 1959
16	MG Donald W. McGowan	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	July 20, 1959	August 30, 1963
17	Maj Gen Winston P. Wilson	USAF United States Air Force The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...	August 31, 1963	August 31, 1971
18	MG Francis S. Greenlief Francis Greenlief Major General Francis S. Greenlief was the 18th Chief of the National Guard Bureau, serving in that office from 1 September 1971 until 23 June 1974.Greenlief was born in Hastings, Nebraska in 1921...	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	September 1, 1971	June 23, 1974
19	LTG Lieutenant General (United States) In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...  La Vern E. Weber	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	August 16, 1974	August 15, 1982
20	LTG Emmett H. Walker, Jr. Emmett H. Walker, Jr. Lieutenant General Emmett H. 'Mickey' Walker was a retired U.S. Army officer who served as the Chief of the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C...	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	August 16, 1982	August 15, 1986
21	LTG Herbert R. Temple, Jr.	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	August 16, 1986	January 31, 1990
22	Lt Gen Lieutenant General (United States) In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...  John B. Conaway John B. Conaway Lieutenant General John B. Conaway is a retired U.S. Air Force officer who served as the Chief of the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C. from 1990 to 1993.-Education:...	USAF United States Air Force The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...	February 1, 1990	December 1, 1993
(Acting)	MG Raymond F. Rees Raymond F. Rees Major General Raymond F. Rees assumed duties as The Adjutant General for Oregon on July 1, 2005. He is responsible for providing the State of Oregon and the United States with a ready force of citizen soldiers and airmen, equipped and trained to respond to any contingency, natural or manmade...	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	January 1, 1994	July 31, 1994
23	LTG Edward D. Baca Edward D. Baca Edward D. Baca, LL.D. was a United States Army general in the New Mexico National Guard. Under Baca's leadership in the 1980s, the NMNG rose to national prominence as a part of the U.S. Army's 'Total Force Policy.' Later, he became the first Hispanic to head the National Guard Bureau...	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	October 1, 1994	July 31, 1998
24	Lt Gen Russell C. Davis Russell C. Davis Lieutenant General Russell C. Davis was Chief, National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Virginia.Davis began his military career in the U.S. Air Force in 1958 as an aviation cadet. Following pilot training, he was assigned at Lincoln Air Force Base, Nebraska. He was released from active duty in April...	USAF United States Air Force The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...	August 4, 1998	August 3, 2002
(Acting)	MG Raymond F. Rees Raymond F. Rees Major General Raymond F. Rees assumed duties as The Adjutant General for Oregon on July 1, 2005. He is responsible for providing the State of Oregon and the United States with a ready force of citizen soldiers and airmen, equipped and trained to respond to any contingency, natural or manmade...	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	August 4, 2002	April 10, 2003
25	LTG H Steven Blum	USA United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...	April 11, 2003	November 17, 2008
26	Gen General (United States) In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, general is a four-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. General ranks above lieutenant general and below General of the Army or General of the Air Force; the Marine Corps does not have an...  Craig R. McKinley Craig R. McKinley General Craig Richard McKinley, USAF is the 26th and current Chief, National Guard Bureau. He is the first officer from the National Guard to ever achieve the grade of a four-star general. He also joins George Washington and Ulysses S. Grant as four-star officers who have served as state...	USAF United States Air Force The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...	November 17, 2008	Present