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THE CHAIN OF COMMAND.

PULSE CHECK: VALIDATED JUL 2026 · REVIEWED BY CADRE · 4 MIN READ

Here is the thing that makes the Guard different: you answer to two chains of command, not one. Which one is over you depends on the orders you are on. The people at the very top change, so we show who holds each seat now and stamp when we checked. The structure does not change, and neither do the roles closest to you.

Two chains, one Soldier

An active-duty Soldier has one chain, running up to the President. A National Guard Soldier has two. On state duty you answer up to the Governor of South Carolina. When the Guard is called into federal service, you answer up to the President. Same uniform, same unit, same equipment. The top of the chain is what changes.

The federal chain

When Guard units are ordered to federal active duty (Title 10 of the U.S. Code), they fall under the national chain. This is who holds each seat right now:

  • Official portrait, President of the United States COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF · FEDERALDonald J. TrumpPresident of the United States
  • Official portrait, Secretary of Defense CIVILIAN LEADERSHIPPete HegsethSecretary of Defense
  • Official portrait, Secretary of the Army CIVILIAN LEADERSHIPDaniel P. DriscollSecretary of the Army
  • Official portrait, Chief of Staff of the Army SENIOR OFFICERGen. Christopher C. LaNeveActing Chief of Staff of the Army
  • Official portrait, Sergeant Major of the Army SENIOR ENLISTED ADVISORSMA Michael R. WeimerSergeant Major of the Army

A NOTE ON NAMES: In 2025 an executive order authorized “Department of War” and “Secretary of War” as the department’s working titles, and its website now uses them. The legal name set by Congress is still the Department of Defense. You will see both, and both point to the same office.

The state chain

Most of the time, your Guard unit is not federalized. On State Active Duty or under Title 32, the chain runs through the state:

  • Official portrait, Governor of South Carolina COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF · STATEHenry McMasterGovernor of South Carolina
  • Official portrait, Adjutant General of South Carolina TWO-STAR OFFICER · RUNS THE GUARDMaj. Gen. Robin B. StilwellThe Adjutant General of South Carolina
  • Official portrait, State Command Sergeant Major SENIOR ENLISTED ADVISORCSM Norris K. McCallState Command Sergeant Major

PORTRAITS ARE OFFICIAL U.S. AND SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNMENT WORKS (PUBLIC DOMAIN). THEIR APPEARANCE DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT. NAMES AND FACES ARE CURRENT AS OF THE PULSE CHECK ABOVE.

Your everyday chain

Under either top, the chain closest to you is the one you use daily. Learn it in both directions:

  • BDE Brigade Commander and Brigade Command Sergeant Major
  • BN Battalion Commander and Battalion Command Sergeant Major
  • CO Company Commander and First Sergeant
  • PLT Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant
  • SQD Squad Leader
  • TM Team Leader, usually the first name you learn

Officers command; the NCOs beside them at each level run the day-to-day and advise. That pairing, an officer and a senior enlisted leader at every level, is the backbone of how the Army is led.

Why this matters before you sign

You will be asked to recite your chain of command. More than that, knowing it tells you who solves which problem. Pay issue, training question, or something going wrong at home: the chain is the map of who to go to, and it starts one rung up, with your team leader.

SOURCES: TC 7-21.13, THE SOLDIER’S GUIDE · TITLE 10 AND TITLE 32, U.S. CODE (FEDERAL AND STATE STATUS) · EXECUTIVE ORDER 14347, 2025 (DEPARTMENT NAMING) · SC NATIONAL GUARD (STATE CHAIN) · ROLES CURRENT AS OF PULSE CHECK DATE

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