H. Steven Blum
Encyclopedia
H. Steven Blum is a retired United States Army
lieutenant general
. He last served as Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command
, where he concurrently served as Vice Commander, U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command
from January 16, 2009 to May 21, 2010. Prior to that, Blum served as the 25th Chief of the National Guard Bureau
from April 11, 2003 to November 17, 2008. He retired from the Army and the National Guard on May 21, 2010.
As Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command, Blum helped lead the command to anticipate, prepare, and respond to threats and aggression aimed at the United States, its territories, and interests within the assigned area of responsibility and, as directed by the President or Secretary of Defense, provided defense support of civil authorities including consequence management operations.
As Chief, National Guard Bureau, Blum was the senior uniformed National Guard of the United States officer responsible for formulating, developing, and coordinating all policies, programs, and plans affecting more than half a million federalized and nonfederalized Army National Guard
and Air National Guard
personnel. Appointed by the President, he served as the principal adviser to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Army, and the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force on all National Guard issues. As National Guard Bureau Chief, he served as the Army's and Air Force's official channel of communication with state governors and Adjutants General
concerning state National Guards. Prior to serving as Chief, National Guard Bureau, Blum served as Chief of Staff, U.S. Northern Command.
, Maryland
, and attended Forest Park High School
, graduating in 1963. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts
degree in history
from the University of Baltimore
in 1968. Soon after graduating, Blum enlisted in the Maryland National Guard as a part-timer. His unit was almost immediately activated in response to riots that flared up in the wake of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Of this time, Blum would later recall that "he heard more shots fired in the weeks he worked downtown Baltimore's streets than during any of his other deployments - at home or abroad."
For a short time, Blum taught U.S. History at Pimlico Junior High School
before a full-time slot with the Guard became available in 1971. He received a Master of Science
degree in social science from Morgan State College
in 1973.
on August 28, 1971, graduating with honors. Since then, he has commanded at every level, including a Special Forces Operational Detachment-A, a Light Infantry Battalion, an Infantry Brigade, a Division Support Command, and twice as the Commanding General of the 29th Infantry Division (Light), MNG. Prior to this, Blum also served as Assistant Adjutant General for the Maryland Army National Guard, and Assistant Division Commander (Support), for the 29th ID. General Blum also served as the Commanding General for Multinational Division (North) Stabilization Force 10
in Operation Joint Forge, Bosnia Herzegovina in 2001.
During his tenure at SFOR, Blum received high marks for his military and diplomatic ability to command and coordinate multiple units of various nations. In his last work, To America: Personal Reflections of an Historian, the late historian Steven Ambrose compared Blum favorably to Dwight Eisenhower in 1945 when the latter was also 55 years old.
Following his retirement, Blum took up a position as managing director and group practice leader of the Sitrick Brincko Group in 2010.
and his paraphrased repetition of the "no atheists in foxholes" assertion. Several atheist organizations complained and called for an apology. Additionally, several soldiers filed formal equal opportunity
complaints and at least one officer resigned his commission over Blum's alleged bigotry and alleged illegal handling of formal EO complaints. Blum never apologized for his remarks and the Department of the Army Inspector Generals Office concluded that "Blum's remarks, though perhaps insensitive, did not rise to the level of an offense".
1st Lieutenant ARNG 28 August 1972
Captain ARNG 3 September 1974
Major ARNG 8 September 1978
Lieutenant Colonel ARNG 1 October 1982
Colonel ARNG 3 January 1989
Brigadier General (LINE) 1 August 1996
Major General (LINE) 1 February 2000
Lieutenant General (LINE) 13 April 2003
Note: LINE signifies that he was serving in the reserve of the United States Army while in rank.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
lieutenant general
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
. He last served as Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command
United States Northern Command
United States Northern Command is a Unified Combatant Command of the United States military. Created on 1 October 2002 in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 attacks, its mission is to protect the United States homeland and support local, state, and federal authorities...
, where he concurrently served as Vice Commander, U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command
North American Aerospace Defense Command
North American Aerospace Defense Command is a joint organization of Canada and the United States that provides aerospace warning, air sovereignty, and defense for the two countries. Headquarters NORAD is located at Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado...
from January 16, 2009 to May 21, 2010. Prior to that, Blum served as the 25th Chief of the National Guard Bureau
Chief of the National Guard Bureau
The Chief of the National Guard Bureau is the head of the National Guard Bureau, which is a joint activity of the Department of Defense , and is the highest ranking officer in the National Guard and the National Guard of the United States ; the latter of which is a joint reserve component of the...
from April 11, 2003 to November 17, 2008. He retired from the Army and the National Guard on May 21, 2010.
As Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command, Blum helped lead the command to anticipate, prepare, and respond to threats and aggression aimed at the United States, its territories, and interests within the assigned area of responsibility and, as directed by the President or Secretary of Defense, provided defense support of civil authorities including consequence management operations.
As Chief, National Guard Bureau, Blum was the senior uniformed National Guard of the United States officer responsible for formulating, developing, and coordinating all policies, programs, and plans affecting more than half a million federalized and nonfederalized Army National Guard
Army National Guard
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
and Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
personnel. Appointed by the President, he served as the principal adviser to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Army, and the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force on all National Guard issues. As National Guard Bureau Chief, he served as the Army's and Air Force's official channel of communication with state governors and Adjutants General
Adjutant general
An Adjutant General is a military chief administrative officer.-Imperial Russia:In Imperial Russia, the General-Adjutant was a Court officer, who was usually an army general. He served as a personal aide to the Tsar and hence was a member of the H. I. M. Retinue...
concerning state National Guards. Prior to serving as Chief, National Guard Bureau, Blum served as Chief of Staff, U.S. Northern Command.
Early life
Blum was born in BaltimoreBaltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, and attended Forest Park High School
Forest Park High School (Maryland)
Forest Park Senior High School is a four year, public high school in Baltimore, Maryland. Forest Park was established in 1924 as the Forest Park Junior-Senior High School. In 1932, the Forest Park Junior High School was moved and renamed the Garrison Junior High School.-Notable alumni: *Billy...
, graduating in 1963. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
from the University of Baltimore
University of Baltimore
The University of Baltimore , located in downtown Baltimore, Maryland in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood at 1420 N. Charles Street, is part of the University System of Maryland. Through the Freshman Initiative or Lower Division Initiative, UB has transformed from an upper division university to a...
in 1968. Soon after graduating, Blum enlisted in the Maryland National Guard as a part-timer. His unit was almost immediately activated in response to riots that flared up in the wake of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
Of this time, Blum would later recall that "he heard more shots fired in the weeks he worked downtown Baltimore's streets than during any of his other deployments - at home or abroad."
For a short time, Blum taught U.S. History at Pimlico Junior High School
Pimlico, Baltimore
Pimlico, a neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland, is the site of Pimlico Race Course, which holds the Preakness Stakes, one of the three legs of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing...
before a full-time slot with the Guard became available in 1971. He received a Master of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
degree in social science from Morgan State College
Morgan State University
Morgan State University, formerly Centenary Biblical Institute , Morgan College and Morgan State College , is a historically black college in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Morgan is Maryland's designated public urban university and the largest HBCU in the state of Maryland...
in 1973.
Military career
Blum received his commission from Officer Candidate SchoolOfficer Candidate School (U.S. Army)
The United States Army's Officer Candidate School , located at Fort Benning, Georgia, provides training to become a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army...
on August 28, 1971, graduating with honors. Since then, he has commanded at every level, including a Special Forces Operational Detachment-A, a Light Infantry Battalion, an Infantry Brigade, a Division Support Command, and twice as the Commanding General of the 29th Infantry Division (Light), MNG. Prior to this, Blum also served as Assistant Adjutant General for the Maryland Army National Guard, and Assistant Division Commander (Support), for the 29th ID. General Blum also served as the Commanding General for Multinational Division (North) Stabilization Force 10
SFOR
The Stabilisation Force was a NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina which was tasked with upholding the Dayton Agreement. It replaced the previous force IFOR...
in Operation Joint Forge, Bosnia Herzegovina in 2001.
During his tenure at SFOR, Blum received high marks for his military and diplomatic ability to command and coordinate multiple units of various nations. In his last work, To America: Personal Reflections of an Historian, the late historian Steven Ambrose compared Blum favorably to Dwight Eisenhower in 1945 when the latter was also 55 years old.
Following his retirement, Blum took up a position as managing director and group practice leader of the Sitrick Brincko Group in 2010.
Controversy
On July 18, 2006, Blum made controversial remarks about atheist and agnostic soldiers while addressing an NAACP convention. Blum said "Agnostics, atheists and bigots suddenly lose all that when their life is on the line....Something that they lived their whole life believing gets thrown out the door, and they grasp the comrade next to them, and they don’t care what color their skin is, and they don’t care when they pray". Atheists and agnostics objected to Blum's equating their lack of religious belief to bigotryBigotry
A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance, and animosity toward those of differing beliefs...
and his paraphrased repetition of the "no atheists in foxholes" assertion. Several atheist organizations complained and called for an apology. Additionally, several soldiers filed formal equal opportunity
Equal opportunity
Equal opportunity, or equality of opportunity, is a controversial political concept; and an important informal decision-making standard without a precise definition involving fair choices within the public sphere...
complaints and at least one officer resigned his commission over Blum's alleged bigotry and alleged illegal handling of formal EO complaints. Blum never apologized for his remarks and the Department of the Army Inspector Generals Office concluded that "Blum's remarks, though perhaps insensitive, did not rise to the level of an offense".
Education
- 1968 Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of ArtsA Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in historyHistoryHistory is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, University of BaltimoreUniversity of BaltimoreThe University of Baltimore , located in downtown Baltimore, Maryland in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood at 1420 N. Charles Street, is part of the University System of Maryland. Through the Freshman Initiative or Lower Division Initiative, UB has transformed from an upper division university to a...
, Baltimore, Maryland - 1973 Master of ScienceMaster of ScienceA Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in social science, Morgan State CollegeMorgan State UniversityMorgan State University, formerly Centenary Biblical Institute , Morgan College and Morgan State College , is a historically black college in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Morgan is Maryland's designated public urban university and the largest HBCU in the state of Maryland...
, Baltimore, Maryland - 1989 United States Army War College
Assignments
- August 1971 - September 1972, S-3, Detachment B3, Company B, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, Maryland Army National Guard
- October 1972 - August 1974, Air Operations Officer, Headquarters Detachment, 5th Special Forces Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, Maryland Army National Guard
- August 1974 - August 1976, Battalion S-2, Headquarters Detachment, 5th Special Forces Battalion, 20th Special Forces, Maryland Army National Guard
- September 1976 - November 1977, Recruiting and Retention Officer, Headquarters Detachment, Maryland Army National Guard
- November 1977 - August 1978, Commander, Special Forces Operations Detachment-A, Company B, 5th Special Forces Battalion, 20th Special Forces, Maryland Army National Guard
- September 1978 - October 1978, Recruiting and Retention Officer, Headquarters Detachment, Maryland Army National Guard
- October 1978 - June 1981, Special Forces Operations Officer, Command and Control, Headquarters, Maryland Army National Guard
- July 1981 - September 1981, Marksmanship Program Administrator, Headquarters Detachment, Maryland Army National Guard
- October 1981 - September 1982, Training Administrator, Headquarters Detachment, Maryland Army National Guard
- October 1982 - November 1984, Director Plans, Operations and Training, Headquarters, State Area Command, Maryland Army National Guard
- December 1984 - July 1985, Mobilization Operations Officer, Headquarters, State Area Command, Maryland Army National Guard
- August 1985 - September 1987, Battalion Commander, Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 115th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division (Light), Maryland Army National Guard
- October 1987 - October 1988, Executive Officer, Headquarters, 3rd Brigade, 29th Infantry Division (Light), Maryland Army National Guard
- November 1988 - January 1989, Operations and Training Officer, Headquarters, State Area Command, Maryland Army National Guard
- January 1989 - August 1992, Director, Plans, Operations, and Training, Headquarters, Maryland Army National Guard
- September 1992 - July 1995, Commander, 3rd Brigade, 29th Infantry Division (Light), Maryland Army National Guard
- July 1995 - August 1996, Commander, Division Support Command, 29th Infantry Division (Light), Maryland Army National Guard
- August 1996 - July 1999, Assistant Division Commander, 29th Infantry Division (Light), Maryland Army National Guard
- August 1999 - October 2001, Commanding General, 29th Infantry Division (Light), Virginia Army National Guard
- October 2001 - April 2002, Commanding General, Multi National Division (North), Stabilization Force 10, Operation Joint Force, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- April 2002 - August 2002, Commanding General, 29th Infantry Division (Light), Virginia Army National Guard
- August 2002 - April 2003, Chief of Staff, United States Northern Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
- April 2003 - November 2008, Chief, National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Virginia
- January 2009–present, Deputy Commander, United States Northern Command and Vice Commander, United States Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
Major awards and decorations
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal Defense Distinguished Service Medal The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States... |
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Army Distinguished Service Medal |
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Defense Superior Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."... |
| Legion of Merit Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements... (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters) |
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| Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (United States) The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969... (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters) |
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| Army Commendation Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster) | |
| Army Achievement Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster) | |
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Joint Meritorious Unit Award Joint Meritorious Unit Award The Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a military award that was established on June 4, 1981 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982... |
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Army Superior Unit Award |
| Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster) | |
| National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... (with Bronze Star) |
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Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy... |
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Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is a United States armed forces military award created by George W. Bush on March 12, 2003 by Executive Order 13289. It recognizes those military service members who have deployed overseas in direct service to the War on Terror from September 11,... |
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Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003... |
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Armed Forces Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal The Armed Forces Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created on January 11, 1996 by President Bill Clinton under... |
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Humanitarian Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal The Humanitarian Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States armed forces which was created on January 19, 1977 by President Gerald Ford under... |
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Armed Forces Reserve Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal The Armed Forces Reserve Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that has existed since 1950. The medal recognizes service performed by the Reserve and National Guard forces of the United States of America.... (with "M" Device and Gold Hourglass) |
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Army Service Ribbon Army Service Ribbon The Army Service Ribbon is a military decoration of the United States Army that was established by the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981 as announced in Department of the Army General Order 15, dated 10 October 1990.... |
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Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon |
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NATO Medal NATO Medal The NATO Medal is an international military decoration which is awarded to various militaries of the world under the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization . It is manufactured by Eekelers - Centini, International, of Hemiksem, Belgium... |
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Special Forces Tab Special Forces Tab The Special Forces Tab is a service school qualification tab of the United States Army, awarded to any soldier completing either the Special Forces Qualification Course, or the Special Forces Detachment Officer Qualification Course , at the U.S. Army John F... |
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Secretary of Defense Identification Badge |
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Expert Infantryman Badge Expert Infantryman Badge The Expert Infantryman Badge, or EIB, is a military badge of the United States Army. Although similar in name and appearance to the Combat Infantryman Badge , it is a completely different award: while the CIB is awarded for participation in ground combat, the EIB is presented for completion of a... |
| Master Parachutist Badge | |
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Air Assault Badge Air Assault Badge The Air Assault Badge, pictured to the right, is awarded by the U.S. Army for successful completion of the Air Assault School, a two-week course. The course includes three phases of instruction involving U.S. Army rotary wing aircraft: combat air assault operations; rigging and slingload... |
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Army Staff Identification Badge Army Staff Identification Badge The Army Staff Identification Badge is a badge of the United States Army worn by personnel who serve at the Office of the Secretary of the Army and the Army Staff at Headquarters, Department of the Army and its agencies. Neither an award nor a decoration, the badge is a distinguishing emblem of... |
| Canadian Parachutist Badge |
Effective dates of promotion
2nd Lieutenant ARNG 28 August 19711st Lieutenant ARNG 28 August 1972
Captain ARNG 3 September 1974
Major ARNG 8 September 1978
Lieutenant Colonel ARNG 1 October 1982
Colonel ARNG 3 January 1989
Brigadier General (LINE) 1 August 1996
Major General (LINE) 1 February 2000
Lieutenant General (LINE) 13 April 2003
Note: LINE signifies that he was serving in the reserve of the United States Army while in rank.