ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

The senior enlisted leader for the Army National Guard is the featured speaker at a Nov. 10 webinar hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army.

Command Sgt. Maj. John Sampa, who has been in the job since February 2018, will speak as part of The AUSA Noon Report series. The event will begin at noon Eastern. It is free, but registration is required here.

Despite the Army National Guard’s visible role in responding to domestic missions, it’s “incredibly important” that the component continues to be the combat arms reserve for the Regular Army, no matter where in the world soldiers are needed, the component’s top officer said.

The National Guard and Army Reserve are stepping up efforts to tackle the most pressing mental health care issues facing their soldiers. 

As the Army modernizes and readies itself against future threats, the National Guard will continue to be “indispensable,” Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Joseph Martin said.

“I've been around the block a few times, and I've served with National Guard service members [on] multiple occasions,” Martin said. “So, I hope you believe me when I say that based on my experiences, I consider you to be indispensable.”

Two National Guard leaders have weighed in on an essay, published by the Association of the U.S. Army, on how the component has been used for various missions at home and overseas over the past two years.

National Guard troops from across the country continue to play a critical role in wildfire response as multiple fires burn across the United States. 

More than 1,400 National Guard soldiers and airmen from 12 states have been called up to help with multiple blazes, including in California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Montana, according to the National Guard. 

While the National Guard routinely responds to domestic emergencies, including natural disasters, the 2021 fire season has proven to be especially ruthless. 

Essays with vastly different views on how the National Guard has been used for various missions at home and overseas over the past two years are the newest professional papers published, in a point-counterpoint style, by the Association of the U.S. Army.