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Army Lt. Gen. Jonathan M. Stubbs, the acting chief of the National Guard Bureau, said Tuesday he is intent on maintaining stability in that branch of the service until Congress confirms a successor to the bureau's previous chief.
Stubbs is scheduled to address the 146th NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition in Detroit at 3:50 p.m. Saturday.
He spoke remotely to the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States' 53rd annual conference Tuesday.
Stubbs likened his role as NGB's acting director to that of a supporter of talented Olympic athletes during his remarks at EANGUS' conference earlier this week.
"I do not intend to make waves or push a new agenda in this role," he said. "We will maintain our focus on people, readiness, modernization and reform."
Stubbs added his job is to maintain stability during a time of transition, and that senior Guard leaders are listening to concerns from the service's enlisted ranks.
"Since I've been in this role, I can tell you your leadership hears you," he said.
"They hear your fears and your frustrations; they hear your concerns and the concerns of your families; and every day, they're fighting to do what's right, to take care of you, our people, who make everything we do possible," Stubbs continued.
Stubbs then reemphasized the Guard's efforts to maintain its focus on people, readiness, modernization and reform.
"[This] includes reforming our processes and procedures — the ones you told us need changing," he explained.
"Keep those lines of communication open, and be open to the possibility of change," Stubbs added, encouraging those in attendance to continue engaging with their leadership at all levels.
Stubbs noted that despite all of the present-day uncertainty, tension and transition, the Guard stands ready to meet all challenges.
"We're the National Guard," he said. "This is what we're built for. Whatever the mission throws at us, we rise to meet it and exceed it."
Stubbs backed up his statement by listing some of the Guard's recent accomplishments, including the massive humanitarian aid response to the COVID-19 pandemic; coming to the aid of flood victims in Kentucky in 2022; and rescuing hundreds of stranded campers during California's Creek Fire in 2020.
"It's not just the people to your left and right who are counting on you," he said. "It's the entire nation."
Stubbs finished his remarks by saying that he is honored to serve as NGB's acting chief and that he is proud to be a Guardsman.
"The state of our world may be dangerous and dynamic, but the state of our Guard is strong," he said. "And you make it so."
The Senate confirmed Stubbs as the director of the Army Guard in late July. Stubbs then took on his additional role as NGB's acting chief Aug. 5.
Stubbs' additional appointment follows Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson's retirement from his role as NGB's 29th chief in August.
EANGUS' annual conference had 1,600 members, their spouses and partners and professional development partners in attendance in Detroit Aug. 17-24, according to Jeff Frisby, the association's executive director.
— By Matthew Olay, Defense Department News
