GeneralIn 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,
USAFThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the U.S. 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 18 September 1947 under the National Security Act of 1947 - 80 P.L....
is the 26th and current
Chief, National Guard BureauThe Chief of the National Guard Bureau is the head of the National Guard Bureau, which is a joint activity of the Department of Defense , 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...
. He is the first officer from the National Guard to ever achieve the grade of a
four-star4 star rank is a term used to describe a very senior commander in many of the armed services holding a rank described by the NATO OF-9 code. The term is also used by some armed forces which are not NATO members...
general. He also joins
George WashingtonGeorge Washington was the commander of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War and served as the first President of the United States of America...
and
Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant was general-in-chief of the Union Army from 1864 to 1869 during the American Civil War and the 18th President of the United States from 1869 to 1877....
as four-star officers who have served as Guardsmen in their military career. Prior to becoming chief, he served as the Director,
Air National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
from May 2006 to November 17, 2008. He assumed his current assignment on November 17, 2008.
As the Chief, National Guard Bureau, General McKinley is the senior uniformed officer of the National Guard of the United States, and the state National Guard, responsible for formulating, developing and coordinating all policies, programs and plans affecting more than half a million federalized and nonfederalized
Army National GuardEstablished under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states and territories operating under their respective governors...
and
Air National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
personnel. Appointed by the
PresidentThe President of the United States is the head of state and head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in the United States by influence and recognition...
, he serves as the principal adviser to the
Secretary of the ArmyThe United States Secretary of the Army is a civilian office within the Department of Defense with statutory responsibility for all matters relating to the United States Army: manpower, personnel, reserve affairs, installations, environmental issues, weapons systems and equipment acquisition,...
, Chief of Staff of the Army, the
Secretary of the Air ForceThe Secretary of the Air Force is the civilian head of the United States Department of the Air Force, a component organization of the Department of Defense. He reports directly to the Secretary of Defense and is responsible for running the day-to-day affairs of the United States Air Force...
, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. He also serves as the principal National Guard adviser to
Secretary of DefenseThe United States Secretary of Defense is the head of the U.S. Department of Defense , concerned with the armed services and military matters. This position roughly corresponds to Minister of defense in other countries...
though the
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of StaffThe Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is by law the highest ranking military officer in the United States armed forces, and the principal military adviser to the President of the United States, the National Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense...
on all National Guard issues. As National Guard Bureau Chief, he serves as the Army's and Air Force's official channel of communication with state governors and
Adjutants GeneralAn Adjutant General is a military chief administrative officer.-Imperial Russia:In Imperial Russia, the General-Adjutant was a Court officer, who was usually an army general. He served as a personal aide to the Tsar and hence was a member of the Svita...
concerning state National Guards.
General McKinley received his commission in 1974 as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force ROTC program at
Southern Methodist UniversitySouthern Methodist University is a private, coeducational university in University Park, Texas . Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU currently operates campuses in University Park, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico...
. He has served in numerous assignments in flying and operations, as well as command positions at group, wing, sector and field operating agency levels. He has also served as Commander, 1st Air Force (1 AF) and Commander, Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Southeast Region, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. General McKinley is a command pilot with over 4,000 flight hours, primarily in the
T-38 TalonThe Northrop T-38 Talon is an American supersonic jet trainer. It was the world's first supersonic trainer and to date, is also the most produced. It remains in service as of 2009 in air forces throughout the world including the United States Air Force , which remains its largest user.The basic...
,
F-106 Delta DartThe Convair F-106 Delta Dart was the primary all-weather interceptor aircraft for the United States Air Force from the 1960s through the 1980s. Designed as the so-called "Ultimate Interceptor", it has proven to be the last dedicated interceptor in USAF service to date...
,
F-16 Fighting FalconThe Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force. Designed as a lightweight, daytime Visual Flight Rules fighter, it evolved into a successful multirole aircraft...
and
F-15 EagleThe McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. Developed for the United States Air Force, it first flew in July 1972, and is one of the most recognized modern fighters. The F-15 is expected to remain...
. Additionally, General McKinley has been pilot in command in the
C-131 SamaritanThe Convair C-131 Samaritan was an American military transport produced from 1954 to 1956.-Design and development:The design began life in a production requirement by American Airlines for a pressurized airliner to replace the classic Douglas DC-3. Convair's original design had two engines and 40...
and
C-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft built by Lockheed. Capable of takeoffs and landings from unprepared runways, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport aircraft...
Operational Support Airlift aircrafts.
Education
- 1974 Bachelor's degree in business administration, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
- 1979 Master's degree in management and economics, Webster College, St. Louis, Missouri.
- 1984 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
- 1990 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
- 1995 Master's degree in national security strategy, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
- 1997 National Security Management Course, Syracuse, N.Y.
- 1998 Capstone, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
- 2002 Combined Forces Air Component Commander Course, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
- 2004 U.S. - Russia Security Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Assignments
- December 1974 - November 1975, student, undergraduate pilot training, Moody AFB, Georgia
- November 1975 - March 1977, T-38 instructor pilot, Craig AFB, Alabama
- March 1977 - May 1979, equal opportunity and treatment officer, Air Force Military Training Center, Lackland AFB, Texas
- May 1979 - November 1980, T-38 instructor pilot, Laughlin AFB, Texas
- November 1980 - April 1986, F-106 alert pilot, 125th Fighter Interceptor Group, Jacksonville ANGB, Florida.
- April 1986 - June 1987, Chief of Safety, 125th Fighter Interceptor Wing, Jacksonville ANGB, Florida
- June 1987 - April 1989, F-16 instructor pilot, 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville ANGB, Florida.
- April 1989 - May 1990, Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville ANGB, Florida
- May 1990 - May 1991, Deputy Commander for Operations, 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville ANGB, Florida
- May 1991 - May 1994, Commander, 125th Fighter Wing
The United States Air Force's 125th Fighter Wing is an Air National Guard unit operationally-gained by the Air Combat Command , located at Jacksonville Air National Guard Base at Jacksonville International Airport, Florida...
, Jacksonville ANGB, Florida
- May 1994 - June 1995, student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
- June 1995 - March 1996, Commander, 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville ANGB, Florida
- March 1996 - July 1996, Air National Guard Vice Commander, Southeast Air Defense Sector, Tyndall AFB, Florida
- July 1996 - January 1998, Commander, Southeast Air Defense Sector, Tyndall AFB, Florida
- January 1998 - February 2001, Deputy Director, Air National Guard, Arlington, Virginia, and Commander, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Andrews AFB, Maryland
- March 2001 - July 2002, Deputy Inspector General of the Air Force, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- August 2002 - October 2004, Commander, 1st Air Force (1 AF) of Air Combat Command, and Commander, Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, Tyndall AFB, Florida.
- November 2004 - November 2005, Director, Mobilization and Reserve Affairs Directorate, U.S. European Command, Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany
- November 2005 - May 2006, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- May 2006 - November 2008, Director, Air National Guard, Arlington, Virginia
- November 2008 - present, Chief, National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Virginia
Flight Information
- Rating: Command pilot
- Flight hours: More than 4,000
- Aircraft flown: C-130, C-131, F-15, F-16, F-106, T-33, T-37 and T-38
- Pilot wings from: Moody Air Force Base, Georgia
Major Awards and Decorations
{| class="wikitable"
- Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. The medal was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel.Until 1955, the...
with oak leaf cluster
- Defense Superior Service Medal
The Defense Superior Service Medal of the United States is a senior decoration of the Department of Defense. It is awarded to members of the United States military who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
- Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued both to United States military personnel and to military and political figures...
- Meritorious Service Medal
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military award presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969. Effective 11 September, 2001, this award also may...
with two oak leaf clusters
- Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
- Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
- Combat Readiness Medal
The Combat Readiness Medal is a military decoration of the United States Air Force which was first created in 1964. The original Combat Readiness Medal was an award senior to the Air Force Commendation Medal and was awarded for superior and meritorious duty to the United States Air Force...
with four oak leaf clusters
- National Defense Service Medal
The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
with bronze service star
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy...
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003...
- Humanitarian Service Medal
The Humanitarian Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was created on January 19, 1977 by President Gerald Ford under...
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal
The Armed Forces Reserve Medal is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces which has existed since 1953. The decoration recognizes service performed by the Reserve and National Guard forces of the United States of America....
with silver Hourglass deviceThe Hourglass Device is a military award of the United States armed forces presented as an attachment to the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. The Hourglass Device denotes total service as a member of the Reserve or National Guard and is issued in three degrees....
- Air Force Training Ribbon
The Air Force Training Ribbon is the lowest decoration of the United States Air Force, ranking only above foreign military awards.The Air Force Training Ribbon was authorized by the Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force on Oct. 12, 1980. It is awarded to U.S. Air Force service members on completion of...
Other Achievements
- 1974 Distinguished graduate, Air Force ROTC, Southern Methodist University
- 1993 I.G. Brown Trophy
- 2003 Distinguished Alumni Award, Southern Methodist University
- 2004 Combined Forces Commander, Unified Engagement 04, U.S. Joint Forces Command
Promotion Dates
Second Lieutenant May 18, 1974
First Lieutenant December 8, 1976
Captain November 21, 1980
MajorIn the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. It is equivalent to the rank of lieutenant commander in the other uniformed services.The pay grade for the rank of major...
May 16, 1986
Lieutenant ColonelIn the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the rank of commander in the other uniformed services....
May 16, 1990
ColonelColonel is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every country in the world. It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
January 28, 1994
Brigadier GeneralA 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 services.-...
January 28, 1998
Major GeneralIn 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. Major general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the...
May 24, 2001
Lieutenant GeneralIn the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps and the United States Air Force, 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. Lieutenant general is equivalent to the rank of vice admiral...
May 20, 2006
GeneralIn 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...
November 17, 2008
External links