By Paul Bean
Major General Gregory Knight, the Vermont National Guard’s Adjutant General, delivered the first ever ‘State of the Guard’ address to a joint session of the Vermont Legislature on Wednesday evening, April 2 at the State House in Montpelier.
A significant portion of the address focused on recruitment challenges, an increasingly urgent issue for the Vermont National Guard, which is currently short about 700 recruits from its target. “The Guard needs your help… as you all know, we have a significant recruiting challenge,” Knight said.
Knight, who has served as Vermont’s Adjutant General since 2019, opened his speech by thanking lawmakers and Guard members in attendance, as well as former U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy and his wife, Marcelle.
“The state of our Guard is strong,” said General Knight, “but with your help, we can become even stronger and grow our capabilities and capacity.” His address explained the Guard’s dual mission, serving both Vermont communities and federal operations abroad.
He mentioned recent examples, and the Guard’s swift response to flooding in Vermont, where its Quick Reaction Force rescued 19 residents and their pets from rising waters. Knight also mentioned national efforts, such as the deployment of 100 Guard members to Capitol Hill following the January 6 incident. He also highlighted the guard’s response to the pandemic, administering covid-19 vaccinations and efforts made by the guard to slow the spread of disease.
He urged lawmakers to support programs that would increase enlistment and recruitment, including a proposed bill (S.17) to exempt military retirees’ pensions from state taxes. Some lawmakers have told VDC that S.17 has bipartisan support and would be a great opportunity for the legislature to show they do in fact have the ability to work together.
In short, Knight’s message was Guard’s dependence on their partnership. With recruitment woes and leadership changes on the horizon, the legislature’s response in the coming months could shape the future of Vermont’s “Green Mountain Boys” for years to come.