The troopers and airmen who fill the Nationwide Guard’s ranks are on the core of the US’ decisive benefit over its world opponents, the newly appointed Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the Nationwide Guard Bureau John T. Raines III stated immediately.
In laying out his priorities as he assumed duty because the senior-most noncommissioned officer and principal army advisor on enlisted issues from outgoing Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony L. Whitehead, Raines stated he would proceed to place individuals first.
“Our individuals will underpin every little thing I do, whereas I work to perform [National Guard Bureau Chief Air Force Gen. Steven] Nordhaus’ priorities [and] whereas staying centered on our guard tenets of warfighting, homeland and partnerships,” Raines stated throughout the change of duty ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Corridor, Virginia.
“We, the Guard, are at all times there,” he stated. “And the [noncommissioned officers] of the Military Nationwide Guard and Air Nationwide Guard will be certain we’re at all times prepared.”
Raines famous the lengthy historical past of Nationwide Guardsmen who’ve defended the homefront for the reason that nation’s founding, and the fundamental function NCO’s play in finishing up the mission.
“There isn’t a different army on the earth that has a Nationwide Guard like us, and no different army on the earth that has an NCO corps like us,” he stated. “These two issues give us a strategic benefit over anybody who needs to trigger us hurt.”
That benefit is now extra crucial than ever, Raines stated.
“Our enemies will not be resting,” he stated. “They aren’t overwhelmed. In actual fact, they’re conspiring about how you can defeat us, or at a minimal, change our lifestyle. Have a look at the Center East, Ukraine, China. The outdated axis of evil is not gone. It nonetheless exists.
“I need to be certain my kids and grandchildren have a life as equally rewarding as mine,” Raines continued. “What’s our true strategic benefit to make sure this? Our individuals.”
Throughout his remarks Nordhaus emphasised the crucial function the Nationwide Guard serves in defending the homeland, noting that there are at the moment greater than 40,000 guardsmen actively engaged in missions each abroad and at dwelling.
Raines, who has served in each the Military and Military Nationwide Guard over his 35-year army profession, assumed the function as senior enlisted advisor after serving most just lately because the command sergeant main of the Military Nationwide Guard.
Whitehead, who served within the function since August 2020, closed out 42 years of service in each the Air Power and Air Nationwide Guard has he handed the reins to his successor.
“Our United States Armed Power is the very best that the world has ever seen, and we’ll proceed to be, it doesn’t matter what anyone says,” Whitehead stated.
“I am proud to do have been in a position to do what I’ve performed for these years,” he stated. “And I did not do it on my own. I did it as a result of I used to be surrounded by a few of the most phenomenal individuals which can be proper right here on this room.”