[L]awmakers selected a new leader for the Vermont National Guard on Thursday, choosing Col. Greg Knight to replace Maj. Gen. Steven Cray as adjutant general of the state militia.
Knight, who had the endorsement of a former adjutant general, retired Maj. Gen. Martha Rainville, defeated three other candidates to win the two-year post. Knight won over retired Brig. Gen. David Baczewski, who served in the Vermont Air National Guard, including as wing commander; retired Lt. David Graham; and retired Air Force colonel and F-35 critic Rosanne Greco.
Cray, first elected in 2013, did not seek another term and will go back his job as a pilot at American Airlines. The term ends in March.
Knight, who is active duty with the Army National Guard and lives in Huntington, won on the first ballot with 95 votes. A majority of the 176 House and Senate members who attended was required. The vote was done by paper ballot. Baczewski received 58 votes, Greco 21 and Graham won 2.
The selection came at a time when the Guard has faced increased scrutiny after allegations of improper activity, recent and potential deployments and the phase-out of the F-16 fighter jet program to make way for the arrival of the new F-35’s.
The allegations of wrongdoing included claims of sexual harassment and assault, and retaliation against a whistleblower. All four candidates promised reforms in the wake of the seven-part series by VTDigger in December.
After winning the Thursday vote, Knight reiterated his promise to reform the Guard culture. He renewed his vow to meet with every woman in the Guard and said he would address the climate of sexism and harassment in the Guard that one of his legislative nominators called rampant.
“Is it rampant? There’s enough to be of concern and we’re going to focus on getting that fixed,” Knight told reporters moments after being congratulated by the other candidates. He also promised to look into establishing a provost marshal, a military police official with investigatory powers.
Knight said the vast majority of Guard members were “amazing” but said “it only takes just a handful of folks to make it bad for everybody and that’s been evidenced in recent reports.” He promised to follow the “clear direction” by Gov. Phil Scott, who called for a top-to-bottom review of procedures and policies in the Guard, with an emphasis on “systems in place to prevent, report or respond to sexual harassment, assault and professional misconduct or preferential treatment in the National Guard,” issues that were the focus of the VTDigger series. After the series appeared in December, Scott initially threw his support behind the Guard and blamed the problems on “an occasional bad apple.”
The Vermont National Guard has a capacity of approximately 3,600 soldiers — 2,600 in the Army National Guard and 1,000 in the Air National Guard. Knight said recruitment and retention were a major problem and there were 400 vacancies to be filled.
This year’s adjutant general selection also took place as the governor and lawmakers questioned the selection process. Vermont is the only state where lawmakers elect the adjutant general. In every other state, the governor makes the appointment. Some lawmakers admitted they were unqualified to make the selection, felt the campaign process for the candidates was undignified and in the future should be changed to include a vetting process similar to judicial nominees. Scott wants the governor to select the adjutant general; lawmakers are divided on whether their body should retain a role in the selection process.
For the past month, the candidates have been a constant presence in the Statehouse, often in uniform, speaking with lawmakers. They outlined their qualifications and promised reforms in a meeting with lawmakers.
During the joint hearing Thursday, held in the House chamber, Rep. Laura Sibilia, I-Dover, highlighted Knight’s 30 years of military experience and told fellow lawmakers he would protect women in the Guard.
“He is committed to leveling the playing field for all who serve,” Sibilia said in a nominating speech, adding Knight would “rebuild” the Guard at a time that the organization needed “a culture change.” Sen. Ruth Hardy said Knight would “assure women in the Guard are heard and safe and have an equal opportunity to lead.”
Baczewski’s supporters highlighted his leadership experience, including his tenure as wing commander, the highest ranking officer in the Vermont Air National Guard. At a hearing with lawmakers earlier this month, Baczewski of Westford said directly that harassment and discrimination against women existed in the Guard and promised to address the problem.
Sen. Debbie Ingram, D-Chittenden, nominated Greco, who the senator said was running to help the “problematic treatment of women” in the military. Ingram said Greco had “high standards and impeccable values” who would reform the culture of the Vermont National Guard. Greco, who also served as chair of the South Burlington City Council, has been a vocal opponent of the basing of the F-35 fighter jets in Vermont.
Afterward, Knight supporters said he had the right temperament and had run a vigorous campaign.
Rep. Chip Troiano, D-Stannard, said he voted for Knight in part because he wanted someone from the Army side after years of Air Guard leadership. He and Knight discussed Guard issues over a recent breakfast in Hardwick.
“I thought General Cray didn’t own a lot of the things that happened under his command,” Troiano said.
Rep. Jean O’Sullivan, D-Burlington, who has highlighted the issues of sexual assault and discrimination against women in the Guard, said she supported Knight.
“I think he’s got and I have been convinced that he’s got the feel for bringing the Guard back into our communities and supporting women,” O’Sullivan said. Her goal, she said, is a Guard where women can be safe and “thrive and survive.”
“That’s what I want to be able to say, but we can’t say that now,” O’Sullivan said.
Greco said she was not disappointed and had confidence that Knight would address the problems reported by women in the Guard. She also hoped to persuade him to reconsider the F-35 program, though Knight told reporters he had no reservations about the new generation of fighter jets, which are expected to first arrive later this year.
Prior to the vote, Rep. Cynthia Browning, D-Arlington, said she was undecided between Knight and Baczewski and complained lawmakers were not qualified and didn’t have the time to make the selection.
With other legislative duties more pressing, “I haven’t been able to give this decision the attention it deserves. So I’m depending on other people saying this is a good guy,” Browning said. “It’s very hard to feel I’m doing a good job at this. I don’t feel good about the process.”
On Wednesday, Sen. Tim Ashe, D/P-Chittenden, the body’s leader, said the selection process was flawed and was too much of a popularity contest.
Lawmakers are expected to consider changing the selection process later in the session. They are also considering holding hearings on the issues raised in the VTDigger series.
