WEBVTT

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Hey Guard Nation , Steve Nordhaus ,

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Chief of the National Guard Bureau from

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our nation's capital . It is an honor

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to represent 435,000 soldiers and

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airmen of the National Guard . Today ,

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nearly 42,000 guardsmen are engaged

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worldwide , securing our homeland ,

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including right here in DC and

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supporting every combat commander

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across the globe . The National Guard

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is having a remarkable year , defined

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by historic levels of recruiting ,

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transformation . and simultaneity of

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our operations . We are powered by our

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greatest advantage , the citizen ,

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soldier and airman . They combine the

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warrior ethos with civilian acquired

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skills , creating a force that is as

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lethal as it is innovative ,

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community-focused , and globally

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engaged . Defending the homeland is our

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number one priority , dual mission .

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Serving as the primary combat reserve

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of the Army and the Air Force , while

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acting as America's military first

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responders in domestic crisis . Without

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hesitation during Operation Midnight

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Hammer and Epic Fury , National Guard

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crews delivered decisive blows to Iran ,

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alongside our joint force partners . In

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Operation Absolute Resolve , we

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countered narcoterrorism in our

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hemisphere . And at home , we answer

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the call daily , providing millions of

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hours of direct support to our fellow

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citizens . The strength of our citizen

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soldier is amplified through

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partnerships from hometowns to

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worldwide . Your National Guard is an

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undeniable return on investment for

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America , representing 20% of the joint

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force , yet we operate on less than 4%

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of the department's budget . While

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threats are unpredictable , our

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readiness is not . We are the

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indispensable core of the joint force

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built to respond with speed , power ,

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and precision . We're stronger together ,

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integrated from our hometowns to the

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farthest reaches of the globe , helping

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to build a secure tomorrow for all

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Americans . We will always keep our

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promise to this nation to be always

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ready and always there , your National

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Guard .