Daniel R. Hokanson

Daniel Hokanson
Born (1963-06-27) 27 June 1963 (age 61)
Happy Camp, California, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Army
Years of service1986–2024
RankGeneral
Commands
Battles / wars
Awards
Alma mater
Spouse(s)Kelly Triplett
Children3
Daniel R. Hokanson's voice
Hokanson's opening remarks at a DOD press conference on National Guard priorities
Recorded January 24, 2023

Daniel Robert Hokanson (born 27 June 1963)[1] is a retired United States Army general who last served as the 29th chief of the National Guard Bureau. He previously served as the 21st director of the Army National Guard. His previous military assignments include serving as vice chief of the National Guard Bureau, deputy commander of United States Northern Command, adjutant general of the Oregon National Guard, and commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Just Cause.

Early life

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Daniel Robert Hokanson was born in Happy Camp, California on 27 June 1963, the son of Bob and Diann (Kieffer) Hokanson.[2][3][4] He graduated from Happy Camp High School in 1980, and attended the College of the Siskiyous before being accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.[5]

Military career

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Hokanson graduated from West Point in 1986 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant on May 28th,[6] in the Aviation branch. During his time at West Point and the period immediately afterwards he completed: Level C Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) Course; Aviation Officer Basic Course; Air Assault School; and Initial Entry Rotary Wing Flight Training (Aeroscout). He is also a graduate of the United States Army Airborne School.

Hokanson then served for several years as an aviator with the 7th Infantry Division at Fort Ord, California, including deployment to Panama for Operation Just Cause in 1989–90. In 1991 he completed the Aviation Officer Advanced Course and AH-64 (Apache) Combat Aircraft Qualification Course. He subsequently served with 1st Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment at Fort Hood, including command of the battalion's Company B, and then served as a project engineer for the Aircraft Armament Test Division at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona.

Army National Guard

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Hokanson left the Regular Army in July 1995 and was a member of the Army Reserve Control Group until October.

Hokanson then began his career as a member of the Army National Guard, assigned initially as aide-de-camp in the office of Oregon's adjutant general. His later assignments included: operations officer, 641st Medical Battalion (Helicopter Evacuation); aviation operations officer, Oregon Army National Guard; plans analyst, Program Analysis and Evaluation Division, National Guard Bureau; executive officer, 641st Medical Battalion (Evacuation Helicopter), Oregon Army National Guard; deputy director, Army Aviation, Oregon Army National Guard; commander, 641st Medical Battalion (Helicopter Evacuation), Oregon Army National Guard; chief of staff, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix V, Afghanistan; deputy commander, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon Army National Guard; and commander, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, including deployment as part of Multi-National Corps – Iraq.

General officer

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Hokanson being sworn in as adjutant general by Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber

In 2010 Hokanson was promoted to brigadier general. His assignments as a general officer included: deputy director, Strategic Plans and Policy (J-5), North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command; and director, Strategic Plans and Policy (J-5), National Guard Bureau. Hokanson was promoted to major general in May 2013. From August 2013 to July 2015 he served as adjutant general of the Oregon Military Department.[7]

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper presides as Hokanson is promoted to general and takes over as 29th chief of the National Guard Bureau during ceremonies at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., 3 August 2020.

In June 2015, Hokanson was nominated by the president, for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general in the reserve active-duty, while serving as the deputy commander of United States Northern Command and as vice commander of U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command, at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.[8]

Hokanson's nomination for appointment as the 11th vice chief of the National Guard Bureau was confirmed by the United States Senate on 15 September 2016.[9] He assumed office in November 2016.

Director of the Army National Guard

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In March 2019, the president nominated Hokanson to succeed Timothy J. Kadavy as director of the Army National Guard.[10] Hokanson assumed his new duties in a ceremony on 21 June 2019.[11] In June 2020, the adjutant general of Minnesota, Jon A. Jensen was nominated to succeed him as Army Guard director.[12]

Chief of the National Guard Bureau

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In May 2020, Hokanson was nominated for appointment to the rank of general and assignment as chief of the National Guard Bureau.[13] He was confirmed by the Senate on 20 July 2020[13] and assumed office on 3 August 2020.[14]

Awards and decorations

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Combat Action Badge
Master Army Aviator Badge
Basic Parachutist Badge
Air Assault Badge
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
National Guard Bureau Organizational Badge
41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team Combat Service Identification Badge
641st Aviation Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia
3 Overseas Service Bars
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Defense Distinguished Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Width-44 crimson ribbon with a pair of width-2 white stripes on the edges Legion of Merit
Soldier's Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Width-44 crimson ribbon with two width-8 white stripes at distance 4 from the edges.
 Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster[15]
Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Bronze star
Width=44 scarlet ribbon with a central width-4 golden yellow stripe, flanked by pairs of width-1 scarlet, white, Old Glory blue, and white stripes
 National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two service stars
Bronze star
 Iraq Campaign Medal with service star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver Hourglass device and "M" device
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 2
NATO Medal for service with ISAF
Oregon Distinguished Service Medal
Oregon 30 Year Faithful Service Medal

Assignments

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  1. July 1986 – July 1987, Student, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (Level C – Fort Bragg); Aviation Officer Basic Course; Air Assault School; Initial Entry Rotary Wing Flight Training (Aeroscout); Fort Rucker, Alabama
  2. July 1987 – March 1988, Executive Officer, Troop B, 2nd Squadron (RECON), 9th Cavalry, 7th Infantry Division (LIGHT), Fort Ord, California
  3. March 1988 – May 1989, Scout Platoon Leader, Troop B, 2nd Squadron (RECON), 9th Cavalry, 7th Infantry Division (LIGHT), Fort Ord, California and the Republic of Panama
  4. May 1989 – August 1990, Flight Operations Officer and 3rd Infantry Brigade Aviation Liaison Officer, 2nd Squadron (RECON), 9th Cavalry, 7th Infantry Division (LIGHT), Fort Ord, California and the Republic of Panama
  5. October 1990 – June 1991, Student, Aviation Officer Advanced Course and AH-64 Combat Aircraft Qualification Course, Fort Rucker, Alabama
  6. June 1991 – October 1992, Assistant S3, 1st Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment (Attack), Apache Training Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas
  7. October 1992 – June 1994, Commander, Company B, 1st Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment (Attack), XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
  8. June 1994 – April 1995 Project Engineer, Aircraft Armament Test Division, Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona
  9. July 1995 – October 1995, Army Reserve Control Group (Ready Reserve)
  10. October 1995 – September 1996, Aide-de-Camp, Office of The Adjutant General, Oregon National Guard, Salem, Oregon
  11. October 1996 – September 1997, Operations Officer, 641st Medical Battalion (EVAC), Oregon Army National Guard, Salem, Oregon
  12. October 1997 – December 1998, Aviation Operations Officer, Oregon Army National Guard, Salem, Oregon
  13. December 1998 – June 1999, Student, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California
  14. July 1999 – July 2000, Plans Analyst, Program Analysis and Evaluation Division, National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Virginia
  15. July 2000 – June 2001, Student, College of Naval Command and Staff, Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island
  16. June 2001 – June 2002, Executive Officer, 641st Medical Battalion (EVAC), Oregon Army National Guard, Salem, Oregon
  17. June 2002 – June 2004, Deputy Director, Army Aviation, Headquarters State Area Command, Oregon Army National Guard, Salem, Oregon
  18. July 2004 – June 2005, Commander, 641st Medical Battalion (EVAC), Oregon Army National Guard, Salem, Oregon
  19. July 2005 – July 2006, Student, Senior Service College Fellowship, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
  20. August 2006 – July 2007, Chief of Staff, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix V, Afghanistan
  21. July 2007 – March 2008, Deputy Commander, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon Army National Guard, Portland, Oregon
  22. March 2008 – July 2010, Commander, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Multi-National Corps – Iraq, and Oregon Army National Guard, Portland, Oregon
  23. August 2010 – August 2012, Deputy Director, J5, North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
  24. August 2012 – July 2013, Director, Strategic Plans and Policy (J-5), National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Virginia
  25. August 2013 – July 2015, The Adjutant General, Oregon, Joint Force Headquarters, Oregon National Guard, Salem, Oregon
  26. August 2015 – September 2016, Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
  27. September 2016 – June 2019, Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Virginia
  28. June 2019 – August 2020, Director of the Army National Guard, Arlington, Virginia
  29. August 2020 – August 2024, Chief, National Guard Bureau, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia

Education

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Hokanson is a 1986 graduate of the United States Military Academy, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering (aerospace).

In 2000 he completed a Master of Arts in international security and civil-military relations at the Naval Postgraduate School. In 2001 he graduated from the Naval War College with a master of arts in national security and strategic studies. Hokanson completed the Senior Service College National Security Fellowship Program at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government in 2006. In 2011 he completed the CAPSTONE leadership course at the National Defense University.

Aviation qualifications

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In addition to completion of the Aviation Officer Basic and Advanced Courses and Initial Entry Rotary Wing Flight Training (Aeroscout), Hokanson's aviation qualifications include:

  • Rating: Command Pilot
  • Flight Hours: More than 2600 (over 50 combat hours)
  • Aircraft Flown: AH-64, OH-58, TH-55, UH-1, UH-60
  • Pilot wings from: Fort Rucker, Alabama

Effective dates of promotion

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Promotions
Insignia Rank Date
General August 3, 2020
Lieutenant General August 15, 2015
Major General May 23, 2013
Brigadier General December 22, 2010
Colonel August 2, 2006
Lieutenant Colonel July 24, 2002
Major October 30, 1997
Captain November 1, 1990
First Lieutenant November 28, 1987
Second Lieutenant May 28, 1986

Family life

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Hokanson and his wife Kelly have three children.[16][17] All three Hokanson children pursued careers in the military.[18]

References

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  1. ^ Register of Graduates and Former Cadets, United States Military Academy. West Point, New York: Association of Graduates U.S.M.A. 1986. p. 915. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Daniel R. Hokanson in California Birth Index, 1905–1995". Ancestry.com. Ancestry.com LLC. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  3. ^ "Hokanson promoted to Brigadier General". Morris Sun-Tribune. Morris, MN. 31 January 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  4. ^ "Major General Daniel R. Hokanson Leads the Oregon National Guard". Newsletter, Columbia River Chapter, Association of the United States Army. Portland, OR. 1 September 2013.
  5. ^ "Happy Camp Graduate Becomes Lt. General". Siskiyou Daily News. Yreka, CA. 16 September 2015.
  6. ^ "General Daniel Hokanson - Chief, National Guard Bureau official X (Twitter) account". X (formerly Twitter). 28 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  7. ^ King, Tim (23 January 2013). "Dan Hokanson Appointed to Adjutant General of the Oregon National Guard". Salem-News.com. Salem, OR.
  8. ^ "PN591 — Maj. Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson — Army". Congress.gov. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  9. ^ "PN1669 — Lt. Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson — Army". U.S. Congress. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  10. ^ Washington Report (12 March 2019). "Nominations Would Mean Leadership Switch at Guard Bureau". NGAUS Newsroom. Washington, DC: National Guard Association of the United States.
  11. ^ Soucy, Jon (24 June 2019). "NGB Vice Chief Hokanson takes over as Army Guard director". Army.mil. Arlington, VA.
  12. ^ "PN1947 — Maj. Gen. Jon A. Jensen — Army". Congress.gov. Washington, D.C. 2 June 2020.
  13. ^ a b "PN1761 — Lt. Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson — Army". Congress.gov. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  14. ^ Vergun, David (3 August 2020). "Esper Praises Outgoing National Guard Chief, Welcomes Incoming Chief". Defense.gov. Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  15. ^ "NGB Awarded Joint Meritorious Unit Award". 20 October 2020.
  16. ^ Sheely, Zach (1 December 2018). "First Welcomes National Guard Families to White House". National Guard.mil. Arlington, VA: National Guard Bureau. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  17. ^ "A Conversation with Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson". NGAUS.org but currently in syria. Washington, DC: National Guard Association of the United States. February 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  18. ^ Lynn, Capi (28 October 2016). "National Guard's vice chief calls Keizer home". Statesman Journal. Salem, OR. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Daniel R. Hokanson.
Military offices
Preceded by Adjutant General of the Oregon Military Department
2013–2015 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Commander of the United States Northern Command
2015–2016 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau
2016–2019 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Director of the Army National Guard
2019–2020 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief of the National Guard Bureau
2020–2024 		Succeeded by
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