Outgoing adjutant general tells lawmakers Vermont Guard is ready, urges duty-status reform
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Summary
Major General Gregory Knight told legislators the Vermont National Guard has improved readiness and relationships with partners, highlighted recent short-notice deployments and international partnerships, and urged Congress to simplify duty-status rules.
Major General Gregory Knight, Vermont's outgoing adjutant general, briefed a joint session of the Senate Government Operations Committee and the House Government Operations & Military Affairs committee on the Guard's recent work, readiness and administrative responsibilities.
Knight said the Guard has professionalized its operations during his tenure and strengthened ties with the legislature, employers and communities. He cited recent mobilizations and training missions as evidence of operational readiness and singled out the 158th Fighter Wing's ability to deploy on short notice. "Most recent 1, the unit was ready and deployed in 11 days," he said.
Knight also described a send-off for roughly 160 Guard members heading to a joint military training group to support Ukraine-related training for about 11 months. He emphasized that a substantial share of Guard funding comes from the federal government while the state covers specific programs and certain benefits.
On policy, Knight urged the congressional delegation to advance "duty-status reform," saying the mix of Title 10 and Title 32 authorities has created complex and sometimes unequal benefits and authorities for Guard members. He told lawmakers he is preparing a continuity binder for his successor and said the adjutant general's office manages on the order of $200 million in budgets and programs.
Knight thanked the legislature for its partnership and encouraged a collegial review of the candidates who will present themselves before the Feb. 19, 2026 joint assembly vote.