BALANCING BETWEEN CIVILIAN LIFE AND SERVICE IN THE NATIONAL GUARD

How do I stay true to two masters--the Army & Air Force, and also the employers? Our series on Senior Leader Perspectives continue with an interview with the 28th Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Air Force General Joseph Lengyel. In the past two decades, the roles and commitments of the National Guard have grown tremendously, with ten percent of the force engaged worldwide whether for contingencies overseas or in response to state level missions, such as disaster response. But many men and women of the National Guard also work for an employer at home, and the demands of military service can put stress on relationships with employers. How does the Bureau Chief deal with these relationships at the national and state levels so to sustain and enhance the readiness of the National Guard? Joseph Lengyel is a General in the U.S. Air Force and the 28th Chief of the National Guard Bureau. Jacqueline E. Whitt is the WAR ROOM Podcast Editor. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo: Soldiers with the South Carolina National Guard conduct traffic as they build a barrier to prevent flooding off of Highway 501 in Conway, S.C. Photo Credit: U.S. Army National Guard/Staff Sgt. Jorge Intriago