The National Guard Bureau is facing a leadership crisis as the top four officers are set to retire or have already left, with no replacements confirmed by the Senate. This leaves the bureau, the Air Guard, and the Army Guard without permanent leadership during a critical period that includes the upcoming hurricane season and a potentially challenging election period.
Gen. Daniel Hokanson, the chief of the Guard Bureau, is scheduled to retire in early August, while Lt. Gen. Marc Sasseville, the former vice chief, has already retired. Additionally, Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, who has been serving as acting vice chief, will also retire in early August.
The lack of progress on nominations for replacements has raised concerns within the bureau, which oversees the training and oversight of Guard and Reserve forces deployed for federal duty. The Guard chief plays a crucial role as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, serving as a key link to state Guard units across the country and its territories.
Guard troops are frequently called upon for various missions, including responding to natural disasters and providing security, as seen during the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2020. The retirements have prompted the National Guard Association of the United States to express disappointment in the nomination process and the delay in sending nominations to the Senate.
While some nominations have been made, including Maj. Gen. Duke Pirak for Air Guard director and Maj. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs for Army Guard director, no hearings or votes have been scheduled. The nominations for the chief and vice chief of the Guard are still pending White House approval.
Delays in the confirmation process could lead to gaps in leadership, potentially impacting the military's ability to respond effectively to emerging threats. The Pentagon has recommended Air Force Lt. Gen. Steven Nordhaus as the next chief and Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Jarrard as the vice chief, but their nominations have not been sent to the Senate.
If confirmed, Pirak is expected to serve as acting chief in the interim. The situation underscores the importance of timely leadership appointments to ensure operational continuity and readiness within the National Guard Bureau.
