General Frank J. Grass serves as the 27th Chief, National Guard Bureau and as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In this capacity, he serves as a military adviser to the President, Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and is the Department of Defense's official channel of communication to the Governors and State Adjutants General on all matters pertaining to the National Guard. He is responsible for ensuring that the more than 470,000 Army and Air National Guard personnel are accessible, capable and ready to protect the homeland and to provide combat resources to the Army and Air Force.
Prior to his current assignment, General Grass served as Deputy Commander, United States Northern Command and Vice Commander, United States Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command (USELEMNORAD) at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. As Deputy Commander, United States Northern Command, General Grass helped lead the command to anticipate, prepare and respond to threats and aggression aimed at the United States, its territories and interests within the assigned area of responsibility and as directed by the President or Secretary of Defense, provide Defense Support of Civil Authorities, including consequence management operations.
General Grass enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard in October 1969. He attended the Missouri Army National Guard Military Academy Officer Candidate School and was commissioned in the Engineer Corps in 1981. He has served in a variety of command and staff positions as a traditional National Guard Soldier, in the Active Guard and Reserve program, and on active duty. In his first general officer assignment, he served as Deputy Director of the Army National Guard in Arlington, Virginia.
EDUCATION
1975 St. Louis Community College, Associates Degree, Environmental Technology, St Louis, Missouri
1985 Metropolitan State University, Bachelor of Science, Liberal Arts, St Paul, Minnesota
1997 Missouri State University, Master of Science, Resource Planning, Springfield, Missouri
2000 National War College, Master of Science, National Security Strategy, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, District of Columbia
2006 National Defense University, CAPSTONE General and Flag Officer Course, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, District of Columbia
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 1981 - October 1981, Platoon Leader, Detachment 1, 220th Engineer Company, Festus, MissouriAWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Commendation Medal (with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Army Achievement Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Gold Hourglass Device)
Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon (with Numeral 2)
Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (with Numeral 2)
Joint Meritorious Unit Award (with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Superior Unit Award
Parachutist Badge
Army Staff Identification Badge
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS:
National Guard Association of the US ( Life Member)
National Guard Association of Missouri (Life Member)
Society of American Military Engineers (Life Member)
Association of the United States Army (Life Member)
National War College Alumni Association (Life Member)
Missouri State University Alumni
Metropolitan State University Alumni
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
The Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal, The Army Engineer Association
Missouri Conspicuous Service Medal, Missouri National Guard
Honorable Order of St Barbara, United States Field Artillery Association
Distinguished Service Medal, National Guard Association of the United States
Washington Army National Guard Legion of Merit, State of Washington
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS:
Second Lieutenant ARNG 12 September 1981
First Lieutenant USA 19 April 1983
Captain USA 01July 1985
Major ARNG 04 August 1990
Lieutenant Colonel ARNG 07 February 1995
Colonel ARNG 31 May 2000
Brigadier General (LINE) ARNG 02 April 2004
Major General (LINE) ARNG 22 June 2006
Lieutenant General (LINE) ARNG 30 September 2010
General (LINE) ARNG 07 September 2012
(Current as of September 2012)
HOMELAND DEFENDERS
PROVEN in BATTLE
POSTURED for the FUTURE