Posted on Jan 13, 2017
Head of D.C. National Guard to step down during Trump inauguration
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Schwartz has led the D.C. National Guard since 2008, responsible for the operational readiness and command and control of the District's Army and Air National Guard units and 2,700 troops.
Schwartz enlisted in the District of Columbia Army National Guard in 1976, according to his official bio. He was commissioned in June 1979 and appointed a platoon leader in the 104th Maintenance Company. He has served in many leadership positions, including as commander of the 372nd Military Police Battalion, and later the 74th Troop Command.
TSgt Joe C. SFC William Farrell PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Stephen F. SSG Warren Swan CSM Charles Hayden SGT Robert George SPC Margaret Higgins SGT (Join to see) MSG Chris Allen SN Greg Wright SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas PO2 (Anonymous) Maj Marty Hogan SGT (Join to see) SGT Damaso V Santana LTC (Join to see) SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"1stSgt Eugene Harless [~872532:SFC George Smith
Schwartz enlisted in the District of Columbia Army National Guard in 1976, according to his official bio. He was commissioned in June 1979 and appointed a platoon leader in the 104th Maintenance Company. He has served in many leadership positions, including as commander of the 372nd Military Police Battalion, and later the 74th Troop Command.
TSgt Joe C. SFC William Farrell PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Stephen F. SSG Warren Swan CSM Charles Hayden SGT Robert George SPC Margaret Higgins SGT (Join to see) MSG Chris Allen SN Greg Wright SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas PO2 (Anonymous) Maj Marty Hogan SGT (Join to see) SGT Damaso V Santana LTC (Join to see) SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"1stSgt Eugene Harless [~872532:SFC George Smith
Head of D.C. National Guard to step down during Trump inauguration
Posted from armytimes.com
Washington
Donald Trump
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" LTC (Join to see)
IF he had retired IAW 10 U.S. Code we would not be having this discussion. What is wrong with this picture?
Here is what I said on another discussion thread on this -
WHY is everyone so surprised about this? Is the National Guard that much different than the Regular Army or Reserves?
Let's put some facts out there about General Officer retirements.
1. 10 U.S. Code § 636: Mandates retirement for O8s after 35 years of active commissioned service or 5 years in grade, whichever is later; after 38 years of active commissioned service for O9s; and after 40 years of active commissioned service for O10s.
2. 10 U.S. Code § 1253: Mandatory retirement age for general and flag officers is age 64. Officers in O9 and O10 positions may have retirement deferred until age 66 by the SECDEF or until age 68 by the President.
Now some facts about MG Schwartz:
1. Date of Promotion: Major General ARNG 27 June 2008
2. Assignment: June 2008 - Present, Commanding General of the Militia of the District of Columbia National Guard, Washington, District of Columbia
3. Age: 65 years old
My question then becomes, why is he not already retired?
1. MG Schwartz is about three (3) years past the 5 years in grade.
2. MG Schwartz is about one (1) year past the 64 years plus one month.
And yes there is political significance of the date and time of ouster/retirement and the announcement being made now. But to insinuate that he is not partly responsible is a political statement in and of itself. (Selection of Date and Time appears to be a form of protest.)
In addition here is a list of his predecessors with their dates of assignment and date of rank if known. There is a pattern but note that out of the list only one was an outsider and came from the CA Army NG, and he was appointed by President Reagan. And I did not check their ages, but I think that their age at retirement was in line with the regulation or close.
MG David F. Wherley, Jr. / July 2003 - June 2008 / DOR 28 Oct 2005
MG Warren L. Freeman / December 1995 - December 2002 / DOR 19 Sep 1996
LTG Russell C. Davis / December 1991 - December 1995 / MG 3 Aug 1990 LTG 1 Sep 98
MG Calvin G. Franklin / December 1981 - December 1991 / DOR unk
IF he had retired IAW 10 U.S. Code we would not be having this discussion. What is wrong with this picture?
Here is what I said on another discussion thread on this -
WHY is everyone so surprised about this? Is the National Guard that much different than the Regular Army or Reserves?
Let's put some facts out there about General Officer retirements.
1. 10 U.S. Code § 636: Mandates retirement for O8s after 35 years of active commissioned service or 5 years in grade, whichever is later; after 38 years of active commissioned service for O9s; and after 40 years of active commissioned service for O10s.
2. 10 U.S. Code § 1253: Mandatory retirement age for general and flag officers is age 64. Officers in O9 and O10 positions may have retirement deferred until age 66 by the SECDEF or until age 68 by the President.
Now some facts about MG Schwartz:
1. Date of Promotion: Major General ARNG 27 June 2008
2. Assignment: June 2008 - Present, Commanding General of the Militia of the District of Columbia National Guard, Washington, District of Columbia
3. Age: 65 years old
My question then becomes, why is he not already retired?
1. MG Schwartz is about three (3) years past the 5 years in grade.
2. MG Schwartz is about one (1) year past the 64 years plus one month.
And yes there is political significance of the date and time of ouster/retirement and the announcement being made now. But to insinuate that he is not partly responsible is a political statement in and of itself. (Selection of Date and Time appears to be a form of protest.)
In addition here is a list of his predecessors with their dates of assignment and date of rank if known. There is a pattern but note that out of the list only one was an outsider and came from the CA Army NG, and he was appointed by President Reagan. And I did not check their ages, but I think that their age at retirement was in line with the regulation or close.
MG David F. Wherley, Jr. / July 2003 - June 2008 / DOR 28 Oct 2005
MG Warren L. Freeman / December 1995 - December 2002 / DOR 19 Sep 1996
LTG Russell C. Davis / December 1991 - December 1995 / MG 3 Aug 1990 LTG 1 Sep 98
MG Calvin G. Franklin / December 1981 - December 1991 / DOR unk
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SSG Robert Webster
CW4 Guy Butler - Thank you again. I have been able to figure it out with your assistance.Besides it being a political appointment, there are 'mandatory' retirement dates based on age that are applicable to the positions of the state TAGs. And I have found that it appears that MG Nash and LTG Vavala are exceptions to the rule. Though I can not find it published, I have been able to determine that the 'mandatory' retirement age for TAGs is 66, and with a letter of exception 68 (and possibly 70 depending).
See the following article on MG Nash's extension - http://www.minnesotanationalguard.org/press_room/e-zine/articles/index.php?item=5039
It appears that your information about LTG Vavala is in a process of change. The outgoing Governor promoted him to LTG about a week ago, and the incoming Governor said congratulations but I won't be working with you, and his replacement was announced. It also appears that the retirement and the announcement was well planned.
http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2017/01/07/delawares-adjutant-general-receives-surprise-promotion/96263996/
From this information it appears that MG Schwartz would have been retiring in less than a year anyway. It looks like he wanted to go out with a bang. He probably started planning this the day after the election. What a sad state of affairs when a military officer does something like this behind a cloud of obfuscation as a political statement. At least he could have been upfront about it. Stunts like this is what causes regular citizens to mistrust the military as a whole. No wonder this is getting some of the comments that it is getting about marshal law.
See the following article on MG Nash's extension - http://www.minnesotanationalguard.org/press_room/e-zine/articles/index.php?item=5039
It appears that your information about LTG Vavala is in a process of change. The outgoing Governor promoted him to LTG about a week ago, and the incoming Governor said congratulations but I won't be working with you, and his replacement was announced. It also appears that the retirement and the announcement was well planned.
http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2017/01/07/delawares-adjutant-general-receives-surprise-promotion/96263996/
From this information it appears that MG Schwartz would have been retiring in less than a year anyway. It looks like he wanted to go out with a bang. He probably started planning this the day after the election. What a sad state of affairs when a military officer does something like this behind a cloud of obfuscation as a political statement. At least he could have been upfront about it. Stunts like this is what causes regular citizens to mistrust the military as a whole. No wonder this is getting some of the comments that it is getting about marshal law.
www.minnesotanationalguard.org is the official website of the Citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen of the Minnesota National Guard.
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CW4 Guy Butler
SSG Robert Webster - Not quite. According to the last update from the WaPo, MG Schwartz did submit a letter of resignation as is standard. There are conflicting stories on what happened next:
"Two military officials with knowledge of the situation said the Trump team decided to accept the resignation. A person close to the transition said transition officials wanted to keep Schwartz in the job for continuity, but the Army pushed to replace him. Schwartz, who was appointed to head the Guard by President George W. Bush in 2008, maintained the position through President Obama’s two terms. He said his orders came from the Pentagon in the form of an email that names his interim successor, a brigadier general, who takes over at 12:01 p.m. next Friday."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/commanding-general-of-dc-national-guard-to-be-removed-from-post/2017/01/13/725a0438-d99e-11e6-b8b2-cb5164beba6b_story.html
It'll be interesting to see how much more information comes out.
"Two military officials with knowledge of the situation said the Trump team decided to accept the resignation. A person close to the transition said transition officials wanted to keep Schwartz in the job for continuity, but the Army pushed to replace him. Schwartz, who was appointed to head the Guard by President George W. Bush in 2008, maintained the position through President Obama’s two terms. He said his orders came from the Pentagon in the form of an email that names his interim successor, a brigadier general, who takes over at 12:01 p.m. next Friday."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/commanding-general-of-dc-national-guard-to-be-removed-from-post/2017/01/13/725a0438-d99e-11e6-b8b2-cb5164beba6b_story.html
It'll be interesting to see how much more information comes out.
Head of D.C. National Guard to be removed from post in middle of inauguration
Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz hands over command the moment Trump is sworn in as president.
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SSG Robert Webster
CW4 Guy Butler - Interesting, but I really think that it is a political stunt anyway. Especially if you look at the historical aspect of it. And the information about his orders coming from the Pentagon is extremely misleading, especially since HR actions like this actually go through the National Guard Bureau. If you take a closer look at the majority, to avoid any signs of impropriety or other BS the change (retirement and change of command) usually happens in December or February, otherwise it occurs the month after their birthday. You can check the recent historical data yourself.
Interesting that if the laws that LTG Vavala was a key architect of had gone through, the orders would have come from the Pentagon.
Interesting that if the laws that LTG Vavala was a key architect of had gone through, the orders would have come from the Pentagon.
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Read other articles on this. Apparently. the post he is in is an appointment. He was appointed by GW Bush as part of his cabinet and as part of this, he, along with other appointees submit their letters of resignation effective 1200 the day a president is inaugurated. He did the same for both of Obama's terms and Obama's team chose to keep him at that post.
Not sure why the Trump transition team decided to accept the resignation. There is conflicting reports that the Trump Transition Team wanted to keep the General for Continuity but the Army pushed to replace him. He turned 65 last October, so perhaps his age is one of the factors, regardless the General appears to be taking it in stride and wants to still work with the community. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/commanding-general-of-dc-national-guard-to-be-removed-from-post/2017/01/13/725a0438-d99e-11e6-b8b2-cb5164beba6b_story.html?utm_term=.5d54923bee11
Not sure why the Trump transition team decided to accept the resignation. There is conflicting reports that the Trump Transition Team wanted to keep the General for Continuity but the Army pushed to replace him. He turned 65 last October, so perhaps his age is one of the factors, regardless the General appears to be taking it in stride and wants to still work with the community. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/commanding-general-of-dc-national-guard-to-be-removed-from-post/2017/01/13/725a0438-d99e-11e6-b8b2-cb5164beba6b_story.html?utm_term=.5d54923bee11
Head of D.C. National Guard to be removed from post in middle of inauguration
Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz hands over command the moment Trump is sworn in as president.
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SN Greg Wright
SP5 Christine Conley - Jesus Christ. Your delusion never ceases to amaze me. Say, can I bring my daughter to your universe? She likes rainbows and unicorns, too.
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1stSgt Eugene Harless
From what I understand no, His appointment is like that of the State NG CO's except that he is appointed by president. His command effectively ends every inauguration.
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LTC (Join to see)
1stSgt Eugene Harless - thank you for clarifying this so this is routine okay now I get it
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MCPO Roger Collins
Sure, is there amy doubt? My question is why the hell does DC have a mini-National Guard and a commanding general with 2700 members?
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LTC (Join to see)
MCPO Roger Collins - that is one of the conundrums of trying to merge the National Guard with the Army Reserve is that each state and Puerto Rico and DC all have their own as in general their own to start with their layers of bureaucracy. each Governor has their own Army just like in the North Dakota pipeline situation they stand out there National Guard troops to spray water that was below freezing on protesters so the armies can be used like their own militias. if they got rid of the adjutant General's headquarters so that's part of the Constitution is like the right to bear arms so that's my guess on why there is a bureaucracy within the DC National Guard
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