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The 142nd General Conference kicked off on Friday, livestreamed from the National Guard Memorial, the NGAUS headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The association’s chairman, Maj. Gen. Michael T. McGuire, opened the conference, addressing the unique circumstances that has brought the conference to the virtual space for the first time in association’s history, and the work the association has done during the pandemic.
Day Two of the conference will feature remarks by three members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee. NGAUS invited both Biden and President Trump to speak this year. The association has hosted at least one candidate for president every election year since 1992.
On Friday, NGAUS leaders focused on the unique events that have made the year a busy one, both for the Guard and the association.
“While this has truly been an unprecedented year with the coronavirus, I can assure you your association has continued to tireless advocate on your behalf,” McGuire said. “Despite telework and the changes that has put in our life, Capitol Hill has been open for business. And this teleworking profile has put our legislative staff here at NGAUS into new and uncharted waters, but they have marched forward and got major Guard priorities included in this year’s annual defense bill.”
Specifically, McGuire mentioned the association’s successful lobbying to get Guardsmen activated for COVID-19 duty on Title 32 orders as a major accomplishment.
“Even after the initial Title 32 approvals were published, the work did not end,” he said. “NGAUS’s legislative staff stayed in the fight to ensure orders were longer than 30 days, assuring our service members would have medical Tricare coverage. After that, as we approach the 89 day point, we wanted to make sure accruals rolled passed that 90 day mark, to allow our service members to retain early retirement credit and GI Bill eligibility for all Guardsmen responding to the coronavirus outbreak.”
McGuire also praised Guardsmen across the country for their role in historic activations related to the pandemic, natural disasters and civil unrest.
“It was the largest peace time mobilization of the Guard in the history of the United States, and you all answered the call,” he said.
Due to the pandemic, elections of the board of directors and regional representatives have been deferred until the 143rd General Conference and Exhibition scheduled to take place next year in Charlotte, North Carolina. All NGAUS bylaw changes will also be postponed until next year’s conference.
Day Two will feature remarks from several military leaders and Biden. The schedule follows:
• Gen. Daniel R Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau: 1:00 PM
• Joe Biden, former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee: 1:45 PM
• Gen. Charles Q Brown Jr., Air Force Chief of Staff: 2:00 PM
• Gen. John W “Jay” Raymond, Chief of Space Operations: 2:30 PM
• Lt. Gen. Jon A. Jensen, Director of the Army National Guard: 3:40 PM
• Lt Gen. Michael A. Loh, Director of the Air National Guard: 4:10 PM
