MAJOR GENERAL JOHN R. GROVES JR. APPOINTED TO RESERVE FORCES POLICY BOARD
Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen has announced the
designation of Maj. Gen. John R. Groves Jr. as the Army National
Guard member of the Reserve Forces Policy Board effective June 1,
1997. Groves currently serves as the adjutant general of the
Kentucky National Guard.
The 24-member board was created by Congress in 1952. Acting
through the assistant secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs,
the board serves as the principal policy advisor to the secretary
of Defense on reserve component matters. Members include the
assistant secretary responsible for reserve affairs from each of
the military departments, and active and reserve component
general and flag officers representing all Services, including
the Coast Guard.
Born and raised in Lexington, Ken., the general's military
career spans more than 31 years in both the U.S. Army Reserve and
Army National Guard. His career began as an enlisted soldier
who, after serving more than three years, moved on to a
commission as a second lieutenant from Officers Candidate School
in August 1968. His military experience includes service as a
training officer, intelligence officer, a variety of staff and
operations positions, and several command billets before assuming
his current position in December 1995.
Groves holds a bachelor's degree in architecture, as well as
a law degree and doctrate, all from the University of Kentucky at
Lexington. He has also completed numerous military schools
including Command and General Staff College and Army War College.
His military decorations include the Meritorious Service
Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with
one oak leaf cluster, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal
with one silver oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service
Medal, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one hourglass device.
Additionally, the general wears the Air Assault Badge,
Parachutist Badge and Special Forces Tab.
Groves currently resides in Lexington, Ken.
