Arkansas Native Makes History as First Lieutenant General to Lead Army National Guard

LITTLE ROCK — Former Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard Jonathan Stubbs was accepted by the U.S. Senate to lead the Army National Guard as a whole and was given the rank of Three-Star General last year.

As the first news organization to talk to General Stubbs about his new job, Channel 7 did so on Saturday.

General Stubbs made history when he became the first Arkansas National Guardsman to receive the rank of Lieutenant General and lead the Army National Guard in the country.

“What an amazing honor. “It makes me humble every day to speak for about 325,000 soldiers in 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia,” Stubbs said. “I’m proud to be an Arkansan.” And the best part is that even though I work in Washington, D.C., I will always be an Arkansas Guardsman.

General Stubbs told high-ranking army guard officers from 54 U.S. states and territories about his plans as the new head at the Green Tab Commanders Conference, which is held every year at Camp Robinson on Saturday.

Focus points included making training more effective and getting ready for battle because of rising tensions with big powers like China and Russia.

Stubbs said, “As Director of the Army National Guard, my top priority is to make soldiers and leaders ready for battle and to build combat-ready or lethal units.” “Then we’ll work to strengthen partnerships within our own organization, across the whole army, across the joint force, from the local to the global.”

Stubbs also talked about the National Guard’s other job, which is to help with domestic situations like natural disasters. Recently, troops from the National Guard have been sent to help Californian authorities fight terrible wildfires and to help the State Police here in Arkansas during the winter storm.

“This just goes to show how important the army and air National Guard are to the safety and well-being of our country,” Stubbs said. “Soldiers who are getting ready for battle to serve their country abroad during a war.” They are ready for battle, though, which means they are ready for anything. We’re ready to help our Governors when they call.