We the People Petition Response: Chief of the National Guard Bureau Joins the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Yesterday, the White House responded to a petition asking us to give the National Guard a seat on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  In the response, Christine Wormuth, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Defense Policy explained that through the Fiscal Year 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau became a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff with the specific responsibility of addressing matters involving non-Federalized National Guard forces in support of homeland defense and civil support missions.

 The response also included a video from Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications and Speechwriting, that explains the important role Chief of the National Guard Bureau Gen. Craig R. McKinley plays as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:

 You can read the full response below.  To check out more of the nearly 50 official petition responses from the White House, or to create or sign a petition visit the We the People platform at Whitehouse.gov/petitions. 

Chief of the National Guard Bureau Joins the Joint Chiefs of Staff

 By Christine E. Wormuth

 

Thank you for signing the petition “Give the National Guard a seat on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”  On December 31, 2011, the President signed the Fiscal Year 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, which made the Chief of the National Guard Bureau a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff with the specific responsibility of addressing matters involving non-Federalized National Guard forces in support of homeland defense and civil support missions.

 

The President looks forward to continuing to work with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau in his new role as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and appreciates the contributions of our National Guard across the 50 states and four U.S. territories. He also deeply values the dedication and sacrifices that all members of the Armed Forces, their families, and veterans make for our Nation's security.

 

In this video, Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications and Speechwriting, explains the important role Chief of the National Guard Bureau Gen. Craig R. McKinley plays as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:

 

 Christine E. Wormuth is Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Defense Policy