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Brig. Gen. Robert G.F. Lee, a career citizen soldier from the U.S. Army Reserve, last month was chosen to head the state Department of Defense, commanding more than 2,970 Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers and 2,450 airmen and women of the Hawaii Air National Guard and the state Civil Defense agency. Isle national guard chief
pushes coalition trainingBy Gregg K. Kakesako
gkakesako@starbulletin.comLast week, Lee, 54, discussed his background and his plans for the Hawaii National Guard. Those plans include seeking more Pacific deployment for island soldiers, and establishing a selection board to pick the Guard's new generals and other key leaders. An edited version of the interview follows:
Question: As the state's newest Cabinet-level officer in charge of the Hawaii National Guard and Civil Defense operations, what are your immediate priorities?
Answer: The Hawaii National Guard needs to support and be part of the military transformation occurring in the Army and the Air Force. This will lead to more joint training and different ways of doing our defense business. We need to do this in order to remain a viable full partner in the defense of our state and nation.
Following Sept. 11, the capabilities of the Civil Defense Department needed to include homeland security in addition to the normal preparations for disaster relief. The citizens of Hawaii should know that we lead the nation in the development of homeland security procedures. The Joint Rear Area Coordination for Hawaii includes the military services, Guard and Reserve forces, federal, state and local agencies. One of my priorities will be to secure our fair share of homeland defense resources that will keep Hawaii leading the nation.
Q: Can you describe your military and civilian background?
A: I have been a part-time soldier for most of my career, except for two years on active duty. My initial assignment was the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, which is a U.S. Army Reserve unit. I had no intention in staying longer than my mandatory six-year obligation, but like in most military units, I enjoyed the camaraderie and the people I worked with. ... I was fortunate to serve on two years of active duty with the 100th Battalion. ... When there were no more positions in the 100th, I was fortunate to have positions of responsibility in the higher level of command in the Army Reserve ... running training and operations, chief of staff and finally commanding of the Army Reserve in the Pacific from 1999 to last December.
One part I couldn't balance was towards the end, when I was named the head of the reserve forces and at the same time I was the head of nuclear regional maintenance (at Pearl Harbor). It was tough to balance the civilian and military jobs. At that time in 1999-2000 time period, we were deploying soldiers to Bosnia, Kosovo and East Timor. I had to make a decision and I talked to the admirals, and I said the last time that I checked, no one was shooting at nuclear submarines. I am sending soldiers in harm's way as the reserve commander -- I had better pay a lot more attention to what I am doing there. So I took early retirement from Pearl Harbor in March 2000.
Q: What changes should the Hawaii Army National Guard expect?
A: From experience, we in the Army, especially in the Pacific, are not going to fight alone or engage alone; it's going to be in a coalition environment. Some of our Pacific Rim countries can do more, like the Republic of Korea, others not so, maybe peacekeeping. ... So we must continually train with them so that they know what we can do and how we can operate with them.
The Hawaii Army Guard will have opportunities to do some of this joint coalition training. I am going to make sure that the Army Guard is part of this. I can tell you right now that part of this development in engaging with Pacific Rim countries is that the Army has had to invite the Oregon Guard and the Texas Guard to do some of the missions. ... From my perspective, that doesn't make sense because if we have a conflict in the Pacific, I can tell you now the Oregon Guard and Texas Guard will not be coming to the Pacific. It's going to be us, so we better start training and understanding the leaders we will be working with.
Q: How far are you in picking your key leaders, including several new Army and Air Guard generals and a new head of the state Civil Defense?
A: I asked all incumbents to reapply. ... I want to know the intent of the current leaders. I am happy with the current leaders, but I want to foster an atmosphere where the younger leaders can look forward to upward mobility. ... We will have a selection board. It will include members of the Hawaii National Guard, representatives of the governor's office and a few retirees who know the Guard. If it is an Army position, I have asked the commanding general for a senior officer from U.S. Army Pacific; and for the Air Guard, a member of the active Air Force. The list would be narrowed down to two or three. I would then conduct interviews. I would then make recommendations to the governor.
Q: Your hobbies?
A: I like to do some golfing ... with 18 handicap. I run in my spare time. I devote enough time to stay in shape. ... I need to pass that PT (physical training) test. ... As a younger officer, I used to grouse about physical fitness; now, at my stage in life, I am glad I had that regimen as a normal part of my life.
State Department of Defense