31-Year Military Vet Named Top Enlisted Leader in Key Unit That Protects Nation's Capital

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Brig. Gen. Andrew J. Donnelly presents the flag of the D.C. National Guard to Chief Master Sgt. Albert Garver during a ceremony at the D.C. National Guard Armory in Washington, D.C., Sunday.

WASHINGTON, DC (09/16/2014)(readMedia)-- During the week, Al Garver dresses like a businessman. He wears a suit and tie and walks the halls of Congress, advocating for military members on important topics ranging from healthcare to retirement.

But his new gig will involve doing a very different job in Washington D.C.

The 31-year Air Force veteran, who commutes from Georgia where he lives with his wife and children, has been selected to serve as the new Command Chief Master Sergeant for the District of Columbia Air National Guard -- a coveted position as the top enlisted Airman who advises generals when it comes to use of personnel, readiness standards, operations tempo and quality of life issues.

Garver was officially sworn in Sunday at the District of Columbia headquarters for the Joint Army and Air Guard forces. In his role as the Command Chief, Garver will lead the Airmen tasked with supporting emergency response for incidents in the nation's Capital, and provide critical manpower for events like the presidential inaugurations.

This group of military members has the honor of being called the "Capital Guardians," and Garver says he is thrilled to join their ranks.

"I am excited about the opportunity to serve in the District," Garver said. "The DC Guard truly has global impact through the missions they execute and so I am honored to have the chance to work with them."

Garver takes the reins as the new Command Chief as a traditional Airman, meaning he will conduct his duties on a part-time basis while still working full time in that business suit, with the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States. As the executive director, he is the primary voice on Capitol Hill for 412,000 enlisted Soldiers and Airmen in the Guard.

That's is the life of a National Guard member. Pile one tough job on top of another daunting one.

"He's up to the challenge, and his story is a great example of what we ask National Guard members to do every day: maintain competency and professionalism in two careers at once," Brig. Gen. Andrew J. Donnelly, the Deputy Commanding General - Air for the DC National Guard said. "It is very hard work, but they pull it off with great efficiency and effectiveness. "

In previous years, Garver served as a security forces Airman and as a historian. He started his career as a law enforcement specialist and was eventually selected as the senior enlisted Reserve historian to serve in the Pentagon with the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff – the top appointed civilian and military commanders for the entire force. Garver was entrusted with documenting the highest-level Air Force meetings during key leadership transitions, especially in 2008 when then-Secretary Donley and General Schwartz had fast transitions into the offices.

But Garver said his "dream assignment" thus far was his service in Iraq in 2009 while deployed with then-Brig. Gen. Craig Franklin, who commanded roughly 26,000 military members at various locations.

"I conducted thirteen classified interviews relating to emerging missions, so I got to capture events that won't be known about for years to come, and it was a heritage wing, with the lineage and honors of the 332d Fighter Groupt, better known as the Tuskegee Airmen," he said.

Donnelly said Garver's breadth of experience was just one reason he was selected for the challenging position. But the Atlanta resident said he is happy he will be working with the Air National Guard in this assignment.

"I've been a total force Airman for 31 years, serving in active, Guard and reserve components. But of the three, my first choice would always be the Air Guard," Garver said.