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The Senate yesterday confirmed by unanimous consent Lt. Gen. Thomas Carden to be the vice chief of the National Guard Bureau.
Carden will receive a fourth star and take over a position that has been filled in an acting capacity since June 2024.
A Georgia Army Guard officer, he had been the deputy commander of the U.S. Northern Command at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, since May 2024.
He was also the vice commander, U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command.
Carden’s formal promotion will be the first time the Guard has two four-star generals. Gen. Steve Nordhaus, the NGB chief, is the Guard’s ranking general.
The NGB vice position had been three stars until the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act elevated it to four stars.
“This has been a long time coming,” said retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn, the NGAUS president. “The Guard needs two four-stars to properly represent our force in all the important meetings in the Pentagon. And Congress recognized that requirement.
“We look forward to the combined leadership of General Carden and General Nordhaus on behalf of the Guard,” he said.
Prior to going to USNORTHCOM, Carden was the adjutant general of Georgia for five years.
“Congratulations to a great Georgian and true American hero, General Tom Carden, who was just confirmed as Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau!” Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp posted on X last night. “He has made our state proud through an incredible career dedicated to keeping Americans safe. He’ll do so in this impressive new leadership role.”
President Donald Trump nominated Carden to be NGB vice chief in June.
—By John Goheen
