Army Lt. Gen. Thomas Carden has made history, becoming the first National Guard Bureau (NGB) vice chief to wear the four-star rank.
The Georgia Army National Guard officer was confirmed Tuesday by the U.S. Senate as the Bureau’s 12th vice chief. His confirmation means he will receive a fourth star due to the 2024 fiscal year National Defense Authorization Act elevating the position to four stars. He succeeds Air Force Lt. Gen. Marc Sasseville, who retired in May 2024.
Carden assumes position under and alongside NGB Chief Gen. Steven Nordhaus, also a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, marking the first time ever that two four-star generals lead the NGB. Nordhaus assumed the position as chief on Oct. 2, 2024.
“Congratulations to Lt. Gen. Tom Carden on his confirmation as the Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau,” Nordhaus wrote Monday on X. “His experience, steady leadership & unwavering commitment to our Soldiers, Airmen & families will be invaluable as the National Guard continues to meet the needs of the nation. We look forward to his impact in this critical role.”
Who Is Thomas Carden?
Carden most recently served as deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command, working in the role from May 2024 to the present month. His job involved assisting the combatant commander in preparing for and responding to threats against North America and within Northern Command’s assigned area of responsibility, including providing oversight of NORTHCOM’s mission to provide Defense Support of Civil Authorities.
The graduate of Georgia Southwestern State University possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in history. He also holds a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management from Webster University, and a Master of Science in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Carden has also held a multitude of other roles, including as vice commander of U.S. Element, at the North American Aerospace Defense Command at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. Other previous assignments include adjutant general of the Georgia National Guard, deputy commanding general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Multinational Division Southeast, headquartered in Bucharest, Romania, and assistant adjutant general of the Georgia National Guard, headquartered in Marietta.
He also commanded the 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade of the Georgia Army National Guard. Carden deployed to Iraq with the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Bosnia and Herzegovina during Operation Joint Forge. Other state guard duties included numerous domestic response operations.
Kudos to Carden
“Congratulations to a great Georgian and true American hero, General Tom Carden, who was just confirmed as Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau!” Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) wrote on Facebook. “He has made our state proud through an incredible career dedicated to keeping Americans safe. He’ll do so in this impressive new leadership role.”
“General Carden is a fellow Georgian and an American hero whose years of military service will serve him well in this new leadership position,” U.S. Rep Rick Allen, who represents Georgia’s 12th District, wrote on X. “We wish him all the best as he continues his exemplary career.”
The sentiment was shared by U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, who wrote the following on X: “He has had an exemplary military career, and I am confident he will continue to make our state and country proud in this new role.”
Carden now takes over a position that originated in 1988, with multiple duties that include assisting Nordhaus as his role entails being a principal advisor to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army secretary and chief, and Air Force secretary on National Guard-related matters.
The new vice chief will also assist Nordhaus in manning, training and equipping the 435,000-plus National Guard soldiers and airmen from 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia.
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