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Senate committee holds confirmation hearing for Colonel Carlin Williams as brigadier general
Summary
The Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee opened a confirmation hearing for Colonel Carlin Williams to be promoted to brigadier general in the Kansas Army National Guard. Senators asked about force size, training and retention; the committee will vote on the nomination tomorrow.
The Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee opened a confirmation hearing for Colonel Carlin Williams, who is nominated to be promoted to brigadier general in the Kansas Army National Guard.
Colonel Carlin Williams, the nominee, described a nearly 30-year military career and said he was grateful for the nomination. "I stand here today seeking your approval to continue to serve our state and the nation and the great men and women in uniform," Williams told the committee.
The hearing included an introduction from General Schneider, who said Williams was nominated to replace Brigadier General Anthony Mohatt, who is retiring after more than 35 years of service. Schneider described Williams's background in active-duty and National Guard commands, deployments and his recent role as director of joint operations (J3) for the Kansas National Guard.
Williams told senators he has deployed multiple times to Afghanistan and Iraq, commanded battalions and a regional support group, and for the last year served as J3, responsible for domestic operations and coordination with local, state and federal partners. He also said he works in health-care information technology outside the Guard and that his civilian work has involved managing medical-imaging systems across multiple states.
Committee members asked Williams about his priorities if confirmed. Williams said his top priorities would be maintaining a manned force, ensuring training readiness and improving retention. "My number one mission is to ensure that we have a manned and trained Kansas Army National Guard," he said, adding the Guard's goal to grow "to over 5,000" members so units can be properly staffed and equipped.
Senators offered personal remarks and praise; Senator Dietrich noted a shared high-school connection and thanked Williams for his service, and Senator Gossage called his record "very impressive." No formal objections were raised during the hearing.
The committee closed the hearing and said it will hold a vote on Williams's nomination tomorrow.
Less-critical details noted during the hearing included Williams's family ties to a farm in Yates Center, his undergraduate and ROTC service, and that his wife previously served in the military. The committee did not take a vote during the hearing.
