Daniel Robert Hokanson (born 27 June 1963)[1] is a four-star general in the United States Army who currently serves 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. Hokanson assumed his current assignment on 3 August 2020.
Daniel Hokanson
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| Born | (1963-06-27) 27 June 1963 (age 61) Happy Camp, California, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1986–present |
| Rank | General |
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| Spouse(s) | Kelly Triplett |
| Children | 3 |
Hokanson's opening remarks at a DOD press conference on National Guard priorities Recorded January 24, 2023 | |
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]
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 DivisionatFort 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 RegimentatFort 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 GroundinArizona.
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.
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]
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.
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]
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]
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 Artsininternational 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.
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:
| Insignia | Rank | Date |
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General | August 3, 2020 |
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Lieutenant General | August 15, 2015 |
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Major General | May 23, 2013 |
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Brigadier General | December 22, 2010 |
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Colonel | August 2, 2006 |
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Lieutenant Colonel | July 24, 2002 |
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Major | October 30, 1997 |
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Captain | November 1, 1990 |
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First Lieutenant | November 28, 1987 |
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Second Lieutenant | May 28, 1986 |
Hokanson and his wife Kelly have three children.[16][17] All three Hokanson children pursued careers in the military.[18]
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| 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
Charles Whittington |
Director of the Army National Guard 2019–2020 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chief of the National Guard Bureau 2020–present |
Incumbent |
| Order of precedence | ||
| Preceded by asChief of Staff of the Air Force | Order of precedence of the United States as Chief of the National Guard Bureau |
Succeeded by asCommandant of the Coast Guard |
