Brigadier General James Combs (U.S. Army - Ret) was sworn in as California ESGR State Chairman in October, 2015 and was named to the ESGR Board of Directors, Vice Chair for Strategic Planning in 2018. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of Defense program was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment. Jim retired in 2009 from the Army after 42 years in uniform. He is a veteran of both Vietnam and Enduring Freedom campaigns. His capstone assignments included commanding the California Army National Guard, while deploying over six thousand troops to Iraq and Afghanistan and command of the 40th Infantry Division which deployed over two brigades under their oversight. Jim has also served as Marketing Director for BaleySuit Inc. while serving in the California National Guard. Jim has worked closely with California’s ESGR team while facilitating the Army’s force generation cycle. Jim supports many veteran oriented nonprofits since his retirement including his current post as President of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Association of the United States Army.