LTG H. Steven Blum, USA (ret.)

Lieutenant General H. Steven Blum is a 2015 JINSA Generals and Admirals Program participant.

Lieutenant General Blum served as Deputy Commander, United States Northern Command, and Vice Commander, United States Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). General Blum was the first National Guard officer to serve as a Deputy Combatant Commander.

General Blum previously served as Chief, National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Virginia. As Chief, he was the senior uniformed National Guard officer responsible for formulating, developing and coordinating all policies, programs and plans affecting more than half a million Army 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 the Governors and Adjutants General.

General Blum received his commission from Officer Candidate School on August 28, 1971. He has commanded at every level to include a Special Forces Operational Detachment-A, a Light Infantry Battalion and an Infantry Brigade, and a Division Support Command. Prior to commanding the 29th Infantry Division (Light), General Blum served as Assistant Adjutant General for Army, Commanding General, Maryland Army National Guard, and Assistant Division Commander (Support), 29th Infantry Division (Light). General Blum served as the Commanding General for Multinational Division (North) Stabilization Force 10 in Operation Joint Forge, Bosnia Herzegovina.