Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, Joint Chiefs Chairman, doesn’t think the National Guard Bureau chief should sit on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to a speech he gave this week to the Guard leadership. Dempsey told attendees at the 2011 Joint Senior Leadership Conference in National Harbor, Md., that he believes that “only one person can be in charge of the ‘brand,'” meaning that the Air Force Chief of Staff should be in charge of airmen, the Army Chief should have responsibility for soldiers, etc. He is expected on Thursday to recommend that Congress not enact legislation creating a seat for the Guard chief when he testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on this issue, alongside witnesses including the service Chiefs and NGB Chief Gen. Craig McKinley. Despite his stance, Dempsey said he has high esteem and respect for the Guard leadership and this component’s contributions. (AFPS report by Jim Garamone)
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