Delaware National
GuardSenior Leaders briefed on Guard's strategic vision
Senior leaders, including officers, warrant officers and noncommissioned officers, of Delaware's Army and Air National Guard met in February for the fourth annual Senior Leaders Conference.
The conference provides an atmosphere that fosters the exchange of ideas, as well as an excellent forum for top military leaders to impart their strategic vision to their subordinate leaders. Bringing together officers and NCOs from all levels enhances the lines of communication by enabling a face-to-face exchange, said Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala, Delaware National Guard Adjutant General.
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Lt. Gen. Roger C. Shultz (left), director of the Army National Guard, enters the conference center with Brig. Gen. Ronald B. Stewart, Assistant Adjutant General, Army. |
Each year, knowledgeable and insightful speakers are sought to bring the vision from outside our state's national guard structure. This year, both directors of the Army National Guard, Lt. Gen. Roger Schultz and the Air National Guard, Lt. Gen. Dan James accepted the invitation. Each spoke about current operation of their respective branches.
In addition, Delaware's senior senator and the Ranking Member of the Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Joseph Biden, talked with our leadership about the current world situation and our international military relations.
Biden recognizes that our tempo has intensified tremendously in the past two months. He said that as the likelihood of conflict with Iraq increases, the role of the citizen-soldier is becoming more critical than ever.
"We are on the brink of war, and our active force is not enough," said Biden.
Lt. Gen. Roger C. Schultz, who oversees the nation's 350,000 Army National Guard troops, said that during this war, unlike what we've seen in the recent past, sometimes the notice is going to be almost nonexistent. He said he expects at least 40 percent of Delaware's Army Guard to be activated.
The director of the nation's Air National Guard, Lt. Gen. Daniel James III, whose father was the first black four-star general in U.S. history and who served two tours of duty in Vietnam, also stressed the importance of support for National Guard members.
"We will be successful as long as we maintain the will and resolve of the American people," he said. "The will of the American people is the most powerful weapon in our arsenal today." He stressed that Delaware National Guard leaders need to show their resolve, understanding, and commitment to the American people as well as their troops.
Another keynote speaker honored conference attendees, Lt. Gov. John Carney who stopped by to let our leaders know how valued they are by all in our state leadership and to express his appreciation for our service.
"Because of our unique size and force structure we are able to conduct a meeting of this nature," said Maj. Gen. Frank D. Vavala, Delaware National Guard Adjutant General.
Personnel who received the briefings learned more about the direction of our Delaware National Guard and appreciated the opportunity to network within and between the two components, he said. The Lieutenant Governor’s visit and Sen. Biden’s personal reflections on the situation in Southwest Asia and Korea were of especially appreciated.
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