National Guard leader joins Joint Chiefs of Staff
Air Force Gen. Craig McKinley’s new role became law when Obama signed the Defense authorization act.
The Chief of the National Guard Bureau is now a statutory member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. By Caitlin Fairchild The development is the result of a provision included in the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, which President Obama signed it into law Dec. 31, 2011.
Air Force Gen. Craig McKinley currently serves as the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, developing and coordinating the service's policies as well as advising the Joint Chiefs of Staff on National Guard issues.
"We look forward to working alongside the other Joint Chiefs to provide our nation's senior leaders with a fuller picture of the nonfederalized National Guard as it serves in support of homeland defense and civil support missions," McKinley said.
The authorization act also allows requires National Guard officers to be considered for Army and Air Force command positions.