ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

The Senate has confirmed the nominations of two general officers who are set to lead the Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve.

Maj. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, who has been the adjutant general of Arkansas since January 2023, is slated to become the next director of the Army National Guard. He will receive his third star and succeed Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, who has led the Army National Guard since August 2020 and is expected to retire Aug. 5.

Influenced by images of Ukrainian soldiers in dug-in fighting positions, the Oklahoma National Guard is building a trench warfare training area to provide its citizen-soldiers more realistic combat scenarios.

Officials broke ground June 2 at the Oklahoma National Guard’s Camp Gruber Training Center, 60 miles southeast of Tulsa, and units are expected to be able to conduct trench warfare training as early as November, according to a news release.

Maj. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs has been nominated by President Joe Biden to be the next director of the Army National Guard, the Pentagon announced.

If confirmed by the Senate, Stubbs, who has been the adjutant general of Arkansas since January 2023, would receive his third star and succeed Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, who has led the Army National Guard since August 2020.

The National Guard and Army Reserve need increased support to modernize their equipment and manning for future conflict, the components’ top leaders testified June 18 on Capitol Hill.

After an early bout of severe weather, the National Guard is anticipating a busy disaster response season ahead, leaders from the component said.

“The operational tempo for the National Guard is pretty [high],” Col. Larry Doane, chief of the National Guard Bureau’s current operations division, said during a May 28 discussion with reporters. “With most of the country experiencing severe weather even early in the season, it doesn't look like that's going to change anytime soon.”

The National Guard and Army Reserve need continued investment to outcompete America’s adversaries, the components’ top leaders testified April 30 on Capitol Hill.

“Our nation’s investment in the National Guard comes at a pivotal moment,” said Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau. “Our strategic competitors are seeking advantages in every domain, [including] land, sea, air space and cyber. If we are to compete and deter successfully, and, if necessary, prevail in combat, we must invest in our people.”