Evers appoints new National Guard chief
Brigadier Gen. Paul Knapp was named Monday the new chief of Wisconsin’s National Guard, succeeding a leader who resigned after a federal investigation that found dozens of sexual assault investigations conducted by the National Guard violated state and federal laws.
Gov. Tony Evers announced that Knapp, an Air Force Reserve officer who lives in Whitefish Bay, will become the state’s next Adjutant General, leading its Army and Air National Guard units.
“Brig. Gen. Knapp is a dynamic, proven leader who has selflessly served our nation during his 28-year military career,” Evers said in a statement. “His strong leadership and dedication to the State of Wisconsin are a perfect fit for the Wisconsin National Guard during this time of transition.”
Knapp has served as the 908th Airlift Wing’s vice commander at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. He also worked as a civilian contractor with Boeing, testing new fighter planes as they were manufactured, according to an online biography from the 908th Airlift Wing website.
Currently, he is the mobilization assistant to the
Commander of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, overseeing more than 1,300 personnel at 18 locations around the world.
Concurrent with his appointment as Adjutant General, Knapp will be promoted to the rank of Major General, according to Evers’ office. He earned a bachelor of science degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a master of science degree from the University of Maryland.
Though he is a federally recognized military officer, Knapp reports to the governor. He will serve a five-year term and can only be removed for cause, according to the state Constitution.
According to the ad for the job, Knapp’s starting salary will be between $105,000 and $145,000 per year plus “an excellent fringe benefits package.” The adjutant general also serves as the state’s homeland security advisor and chairman of the governor’s Homeland Security Council.
Knapp’s start date is not set yet but will begin with a swearing-in ceremony that is still being scheduled, according to Evers’ office.
“Being appointed as the Wisconsin Adjutant General by Governor Evers is a dream job for this kid from
Antigo, Wisconsin, who chose a military career,” said Knapp. “I am humbled, grateful, and privileged to serve the professional soldiers, airmen and civilians of our amazing state.”
Knapp takes the helm from Donald Dunbar, who resigned in December after the investigation into the Guard’s handling of sexual assault allegations.
According to a report from the National Guard Bureau, released Dec. 9, the Wisconsin National Guard ignored Department of Defense protocols for how to conduct sexual assault investigations, did not track or report data on sexual assaults to the federal government as required, and did not sufficiently fund or staff training programs. The Air Force is now investigating Dunbar in two separate probes, according to Evers’ office.
Katelyn Ferral, public affairs and investigative reporter for the Cap Times, is examining sexual assaults in the National Guard system and how they are handled during a nine-month O’Brien Fellowship in Public Service Journalism at Marquette University. This story, and others, are being co-published by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which is a partner in the effort.
Marquette University and administrators of the program played no role in the reporting, editing or presentation of this project.