LaVern E. Weber

LaVern E. Weber was a native of Lone Wolf, Oklahoma, who progressed in the military to become Chief of the National Guard Bureau. In his National Guard position, he had responsibility for more than 500,000 members of the Army and Air National Guard, located in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and Guam.

His military career started in the United States Marine Corps in World War II, followed by service in the Korean War with the 45th Infantry Division. Following the Korean War he served in several command and staff positions with the 45th Division, and was appointed Adjutant General of Oklahoma in 1965. In 1971, Weber was named director of the Army National Guard in Washington, D.C., and three years later he became Chief of the National Guard Bureau, where the was responsible for an annual federal budget of $5.8 billion. Following his tour as Chief of the Bureau, he served as Deputy Commanding General for Mobilization at the US Army Forces Command at Fort McPherson, Georgia.

In 1983, he returned to Washington serving as the Military Executive of the Defense Department Reserve Forces Policy Board until his retirement in 1984. His uniformed military career spanned more than 42 years. Following his retirement he was appointed as the Executive Director of the National Guard Association of the United States. During the nine years of his tenure with NGAUS, many "quality of life" measures were accomplished. After leaving NGAUS, Weber worked as a defense consultant in the Washington area and continued participation with NGAUS.