Thomas Carden

Thomas Carden
Official portrait, 2024
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army Army National Guard
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 February 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] [10]} and assumed office on 2 February 2026. ^{[11] [12]}

Awards

Carden's decorations include:

Badge Combat Infantryman Badge Badge Parachutist Badge 1st Row Army Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal 2nd Row Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters 3rd Row Army Commendation Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster National Defense Service Medal with 1 Oak leaf cluster Iraq Campaign Medal 4th Row Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal 5th Row Army Service Ribbon Army Overseas Service Ribbon U.S. Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with 1 silver Oak leaf cluster 6th Row Armed Forces Reserve Medal with award numeral 2 Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon NATO Medal for service with ISAF with 1 servicestar Badges 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade British Army Parachute Badge Two Overseas Service Bars

References

1. "DVIDS Webcast - Vice Chief, National Guard Bureau Promotion and Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony". DVIDS. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
2. "National Guard Biography". www.nationalguard.mil.
3. "Maj. Gen. Tom Carden Sworn in as Ga.'s 43rd Adjutant General". DVIDS.
4. "PN1296 – 1 nominee for Army, 118th Congress (2023–2024) | Congress.gov | Library of Congress". 31 January 2024.
5. "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024.
6. "PN352 — Lt. Gen. Thomas M. Carden Jr. — Army, 119th Congress (2025–2026)". U.S. Congress. 17 June 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
7. "Secretary of Defense General Officer Announcements for June 26, 2025". U.S. Department of Defense. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
8. 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.
9. "Senate Confirms Carden as First Four-Star Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau". National Guard. 13 January 2026. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
10. 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.
11. "DVIDS Webcast - Vice Chief, National Guard Bureau Promotion and Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony". DVIDS. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
12. "General Thomas Carden". National Guard.

Military offices
Preceded by Joseph Jarrard	Adjutant General of Georgia 2019–2024	Succeeded by Richard D. Wilson
Preceded by A. C. Roper	Deputy Commander of the United States Northern Command 2024–present	Incumbent