Gen. Henry H. Shelton, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has selected Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Michael W. Davidson and Air Force Reserve Maj. Gen. Robert A. McIntosh to serve as assistants to the chairman.
These full time Joint Staff positions were established by the FY 1998 National Defense Authorization Act.
Davidson and McIntosh will advise Shelton on National Guard and Reserve matters, act as his personal liaison with their respective service branches and associations, and will participate when Guard and Reserve issues are brought before defense forums such as the Joint Review Board.
The assistants will serve for a term of two years, which may be extended for an additional term.
"Both of these officers bring tremendous talent, experience and energy to these new positions", said Shelton.
"I'm confident that General Davidson and General McIntosh will help further our goal of forging a Total Force to meet the defense challenges of the 21st Century."
Born in Memphis, Tenn., Davidson's military career spans more than 27 years in both the active Army and Army National Guard.
His career began in 1969 and quickly lead to a commission as a second lieutenant from Officers Candidate School in 1970.
His military experience includes service as a infantry officer, intelligence officer, professor of military science and a variety of staff and operations positions.
He has also held several command billets including service as the adjutant general of Kentucky, deputy commanding general, Army National Guard, U.S. Army Special Operations Command and deputy commander-in-chief (Mobilization and Reserve Affairs), U.S. Special Operations Command, before assuming his current position as mobilization assistant to the director, Joint Staff, in May 1995.
The general holds a bachelor's degree in history, a master's degree in community development, a law degree and doctorate, all from the University of Louisville, Ky.
He has also completed numerous military schools including the Army Command and Army General Staff College and Army War College.
His military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster and "V" device, Vietnam Service Medal with three campaign stars, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with bronze star.
Additionally, the general has earned the Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge and Special Forces Tab.
He and wife JoAnn have three children; twin daughters Margaret and Claire and son Brian.
McIntosh currently serves as chief of Air Force Reserve, Washington, D.C., and commander of Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.
The general entered the Air Force in 1966 as a graduate of the Ohio University Reserve Officer Training Corps program, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration.
He has commanded an Air Force Reserve wing, two Reserve numbered air forces and served as vice commander of the Air Force Reserve.
He separated from active duty in August 1971 to join the air reserve technician program as a full-time civil service employee with active participation as an Air Force reservist.
A command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours in the A-10, A-37, C-130 and F-4, McIntosh's awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 18 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.
He and wife, Susan, have a son, Mark, and a daughter, Amy.
The new assistants will begin their assignments in June 1998.
