For the first time, the House has three current National Guard brigadier generals in its ranks.
The latest to get his stripes was Mississippi Rep. Trent Kelly. He is a 32-year Mississippi Army National Guard combat engineer. Just before his official ceremony last week, he said, “I am humbled to accept this promotion and honored to serve and represent our state and nation.”
I am humbled to accept this promotion and honored to serve and represent our state and nation. #MS01 https://t.co/E05QR8YYX5
— Trent Kelly (@RepTrentKelly) December 15, 2017
He joins Ohio Rep. Steve Stivers, the head of the National Republican Congressional Committee, and Pennsylvania Rep. Scott Perry. All three are Republicans.
Stivers often refers to his military training in explaining his approach to Congress and NRCC efforts to keep control of the House and fundraising.
“It is a testament to the role citizen soldiers play in our nation’s defense that we have three National Guard generals elected to Congress. I also believe that our strategic military knowledge helps Congress make better decisions on our collective security,” he told Secrets.
Happy birthday to the @NationalGuard. 381 years of being ready and there. pic.twitter.com/J6WdZSTaE3
— Steve Stivers (@RepSteveStivers) December 13, 2017
National Guard spokesman Kurt Rauschenberg added, “This is just another example of how vested our [National Guard] leaders are in the communities we serve.”
I’m not the judge. I’m not the jury. I’ll tell you what else I’m not: I’m not happy about this. https://t.co/SxrlACpBhA
— RepScottPerry (@RepScottPerry) November 3, 2017
He also played up the dual role of the three when he said, “We’re in over 3,000 communities nationwide, supporting our citizens and civil authorities in various capacities. This is why we’re citizen/soldiers.”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
