Final days to reserve for NPC luncheon featuring Gen. Grass, head of the National Guard

Gen. Frank J. Grass, member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and chief of the National Guard Bureau, will explore issues facing the National Guard amid budget cuts and overseas mobilizations at a National Press Club luncheon Thursday, Jan. 9.

As military wrestles with tight budgets and competition among branches for shrinking resources, Grass will highlight the National Guard's value to America as a proven force that is ready and accessible, at home or abroad, as needed by the states or nation.

Grass, who took command Sept. 7, 2012, is responsible for ensuring that the more than 460,000 Army and Air National Guard citizen-warriors stand ready to protect the nation and mobilize as active duty soldiers and airmen and women. Since 9-11, National Guard citizen soldiers and airmen have supported more than 760,000 overseas mobilizations, some more than once.

The luncheon begins at 12:30 p.m. Remarks begin promptly at 1 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session. The event ends at 2 p.m.

Tickets, which can be purchased online, cost $22 for Club members and $36 for non-members. Club members may buy two tickets at the member price. Tickets must be paid for at the time of purchase.For questions regarding reservations, please e-mail [email protected] or call 202-662-7501.

Grass serves as military advisor to President Barack Obama and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and is the official Defense Department liaison to the governors and adjutants general in all 54 states and territories on matters involving the National Guard.

Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has called Grass “a thinker, a learner and one of the most experienced leaders in our military today.”

Club members who wish to attend the pre-luncheon reception must have a paid reservation to the luncheon and RSVP separately to [email protected] 48 hours before the event. Space may be limited. You must have a paid reservation to the luncheon to attend the VIP reception.

To submit a question for the speaker in advance of the luncheon, please e-mail your question to [email protected] with GRASS in the subject line before 10 a.m. Jan. 9.

Upcoming Luncheons:

Jan. 7 – General Ray Odierno, U.S. Army Chief of Staff

Jan. 10 - Joseph H. Boardman. Amtrak president and CEO

Jan. 15 - Christine Lagard, managing director, IMF

Jan. 22 - DeMaurice Smith, NFL Players Association