Thomas Carden
Thomas Carden | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | |
| Service years | 1986–present |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau Georgia National Guard 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade Georgia Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion |
| Conflicts | Iraq War |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal |
Thomas M. Carden Jr. is a United States Army general who has served as the 13th vice chief of the National Guard Bureau since January 2026.[1] He previously served as the deputy commander of United States Northern Command from May 2024 to January 2026. Prior to that, he served as the adjutant general of Georgia from 2019 to 2024, and as the deputy commander of Multi-National Division Southeast (Romania) from 2017 to 2019.[2][3]
In January 2024, Carden was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as deputy commander of the United States Northern Command and vice commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command.[4][5]
In June 2025, Carden was nominated for promotion to general and assignment as vice chief of the National Guard Bureau.[6][7] His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on 12 January 2026,[6][8][9] and assumed office on 13 January 2026.[10][1]
Awards
Carden's decorations include:
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References
- ^ a b "General Thomas Carden". National Guard.
- ^ "National Guard Biography". www.nationalguard.mil.
- ^ "Maj. Gen. Tom Carden Sworn in as Ga.'s 43rd Adjutant General". DVIDS.
- ^ "PN1296 – 1 nominee for Army, 118th Congress (2023–2024) | Congress.gov | Library of Congress". 31 January 2024.
- ^ "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024.
- ^ a b "PN352 — Lt. Gen. Thomas M. Carden Jr. — Army, 119th Congress (2025–2026)". U.S. Congress. 17 June 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "Secretary of Defense General Officer Announcements for June 26, 2025". U.S. Department of Defense. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ Goheen, John (13 January 2026). "Senate Confirms Four-Star NGB Vice Chief | National Guard Association of the United States". www.ngaus.org. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
- ^ "Senate Confirms Carden as First Four-Star Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau". National Guard. 13 January 2026. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
- ^ Raymond, Jonathan (13 January 2026). "Former Georgia National Guard commander confirmed to National Guard Bureau post after months of delays". 11Alive.com. Retrieved 14 January 2026.