National Guard Wants to Expand State Partnership Program with Allies

July 23, 2024

The National Guard is looking to expand the program that partners Guard units with ally nations’ militaries, adding up to 20 partner countries, Military.com reported.

The State Partnership Program started in 1993 to help former Soviet bloc states build independent militaries. Now it includes 106 countries around the world, allowing Guard members to train with counterparts in other nations, along with other activities.

The Pentagon will determine the new countries this summer and then look for state partners, National Guard chief Gen. Daniel Hokanson told Military.com.

“We allow all states to apply and make the case why they would be the best fit for that country,” Hokanson said.

Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Brown

July 23, 2024

Recent News

New Guidance on DOD Civilian Hiring Freeze

New Guidance on DOD Civilian Hiring Freeze

The heads of the military services may now ask for exemptions to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s blanket hiring freeze for all civilian positions, according to a new memo. “While the Department remains under the hiring freeze, DOD will only hire mission-essential...

Military Reopens Recruitment Test Sites

Military Reopens Recruitment Test Sites

The sites across the country where military recruits take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test are open again. They had been briefly closed because of sweeping DOGE cuts, as Task & Purpose reported. DOGE leaders had deemed that military officials’...

Navy Destroyer Deployed in Immigration Policy Push

Navy Destroyer Deployed in Immigration Policy Push

In an unusual move, the Trump administration has deployed Navy Destroyer USS Gravely from Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Virginia as part of its military buildup on and near the Mexico border, as Military.com reported. “Gravely’s sea-going capacity improves our...

Shutdown Averted; Leaders to Discuss Budget at Summit

Shutdown Averted; Leaders to Discuss Budget at Summit

President Trump signed a stopgap spending bill Saturday that kept the government open and operating at fiscal year 2024 spending levels through September, the end of fiscal year 2025. The bill provides a small boost for defense spending and secures funding for a...

Feinberg Confirmed as Deputy Secretary

Feinberg Confirmed as Deputy Secretary

Stephen Feinberg was confirmed by the Senate Friday to become deputy secretary of defense. “His appointment is well-deserved, and he’s the right man for the job, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Let’s get to work,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said, according to a DOD...

PAST STORIES