When Command Sergeant Major Tony L. Whitehead accepted his role as the National Guard’s senior enlisted adviser in August 2020, Guard members were already facing an unprecedented surge in domestic deployments.
From COVID-19 response to record-breaking wildfires, the Guard’s civilian soldiers found themselves at the forefront of multiple crises – while maintaining overseas commitments that showed no signs of slowing.
Quick Facts
- Served 42 years in Air Force and Air National Guard
- Led during peak deployment of 120,000 Guard members in June 2021
- Oversaw domestic response to pandemic, wildfires, and hurricanes
- Managed simultaneous deployment of 36,000 personnel overseas
From Active Duty to Guard Leadership
Whitehead’s journey to the Guard’s top enlisted position began in 1982 when a VHS tape about Air Force security specialists caught the attention of a Jacksonville teenager who had never flown in an airplane.
After nine years of active duty spanning South Dakota, Japan, South Korea, and Panama, family obligations brought him back home – where a chance encounter with a security forces airman introduced him to the National Guard.
“We had a lot of fun together, but when it was time to turn it on — boom! — we could do it in a heartbeat,”
Whitehead recalls of his early Guard service, highlighting the dual nature of America’s citizen soldiers.
Leading Through Unprecedented Times
By June 2021, just months into Whitehead’s tenure, the National Guard reached a historic milestone with more than 120,000 members activated.
Guard units simultaneously managed pandemic response, natural disasters, and overseas deployments – demonstrating what Whitehead describes as the force’s inherent adaptability.
“Change is part of who we are,” Whitehead emphasizes. “It’s in our DNA.”
Building Future Readiness
As Whitehead prepares to transfer his responsibilities to Army Command Sgt. Maj. John T. Raines this Friday, his focus remains on three priorities: educating and empowering the force while executing the mission.
His approach extends beyond traditional training, encompassing cultural awareness and innovative thinking among junior enlisted members.
Analysis
The National Guard’s evolution from a strategic reserve to an operational force marks a significant shift in American military capability.
Under Whitehead’s leadership, the Guard demonstrated unprecedented domestic response capabilities while maintaining overseas commitments – a dual role that experts say will likely expand in coming years as climate change and global tensions create new demands.
The Guard’s ability to maintain readiness despite compressed training schedules and increasing operational tempo showcases the effectiveness of Whitehead’s focus on empowering junior leaders and fostering adaptability throughout the ranks.
Whitehead’s successor inherits a force that has proven its mettle in crisis response while facing recruitment challenges common across military services.
“The long-term gains of us as a nation are going to come from people who understand that they have to invest in what they want to see in the future,”
Whitehead notes, pointing to the continued need for investment in personnel and capabilities.
Sources: THX News & US Department of Defense.
