JFTB hosts Selective Service swearing in ceremony

Pasadena community leader and retired U.S. Coast Guard officer, John Arbogast, appointed as California State Director for Selective Service System

by Robert Kenny
Selective Service Public & Intergovernmental Affairs

March 13, 2023

ROSSLYN, Va. – Cal Guard senior leaders including U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robert Wooldridge, 40th Infantry Division's deputy commanding general, and Lt. Col. Manju Vig, garrison commander of Cal Guard's Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, participated in a swearing-in ceremony for Selective Service California State Director John A. Arbogast, March 13, in the 40th Infantry Division Headquarters on the base. National Selective Service Acting Director Joel C. Spangenberg presided over Mr. Arbogast's oath of office proceeding.

As part of his remarks Acting Director Spangenberg said, “The driving principles of our mission are to ensure that a national draft lottery and the system established to classify registrants are operationalized in a fair and equitable manner. Mr. Arbogast will support our efforts to do so in California. We are fortunate to have him on our team.”

As California State Director, Arbogast will lead agency efforts to strengthen Selective Service System readiness capabilities across the state in coordination with California’s state, county, and local officials. Cal Guard supports these enduring efforts under the leadership of the adjutant general and the work of select National Guard Reserve Service Members (RSMs) assigned to the Selective Service System.

Currently, the Selective Service System has 11 RSMs, including three with the Cal Guard serving statewide and has over 800 presidentially-appointed local board members volunteering their time throughout state to assist with the classification of registrants should the President and Congress reinstate a national draft for induction into military service.

In recognition of his appointment as California State Director, Arbogast said, “The Selective Service stands ready to mobilize operations fairly and rapidly throughout the State of California and across America during a national emergency. I am proud to be part of the Selective Service System and work closely with the California National Guard and the State of California to build in and refine operational efficiencies and to support the personnel needs of the Department of Defense should the President and Congress reinstate a military draft.”

The Selective Service System is an independent federal Agency that has been a distinguished part of America’s history for over a century, spanning eras of conflict and peacetime. The national framework and structure of the modern-day Selective Service System embody the very essence of government leaders’ collaborative efforts to preserve American security in alignment with the foundation upon which American freedoms exist – the U.S. Constitution.

Army officer stands and speaks to group of men in suits.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robert Wooldridge, left, deputy commanding general of the California Army National Guard’s 40th Infantry Division, talks about the division’s history while welcoming senior leaders from the Selective Service System including Acting Director Joel C. Spangenberg before a swearing in ceremony for John A. Arbogast, the system’s new state director for California, during a ceremony, March 13, at Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos,

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robert Wooldridge, left, deputy commanding general of the California Army National Guard’s 40th Infantry Division, talks about the division’s history while welcoming senior leaders from the Selective Service System including Acting Director Joel C. Spangenberg before a swearing in ceremony for John A. Arbogast, the system’s new state director for California, during a ceremony, March 13, at Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos,

Man raises hand for oath.

Selective Service System Acting Director Joel C. Spangenberg, right, administers the oath of office to John A. Arbogast, center, the system’s new state director for California, as Arbogast’s wife, Nancie, looks on during a ceremony, March 13, at Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos. Arbogast, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and Pasadena resident who has served in a variety of community roles including city commissioner, history teacher and track coach in addition to other Selective Service Systems positions at the state and local level, was nominated for his new role by California Governor Gavin Newsom. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Crystal Housman)

Selective Service System Acting Director Joel C. Spangenberg, right, administers the oath of office to John A. Arbogast, center, the system’s new state director for California, as Arbogast’s wife, Nancie, looks on during a ceremony, March 13, at Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos. Arbogast, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and Pasadena resident who has served in a variety of community roles including city commissioner, history teacher and track coach in addition to other Selective Service Systems positions at the state and local level, was nominated for his new role by California Governor Gavin Newsom. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Crystal Housman)

Certificate in gold frame.

A framed appointment certificate is displayed for John A. Arbogast, the Selective Service System’s new state director for California, during a ceremony, March 13, at Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos,

A framed appointment certificate is displayed for John A. Arbogast, the Selective Service System’s new state director for California, during a ceremony, March 13, at Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos,

Man speaks at podium.

John Arbogast, new California state director for the Selective Service System, speaks, March 13, following his swearing in ceremony at the 40th Infantry Division Headquarters at Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos.

John Arbogast, new California state director for the Selective Service System, speaks, March 13, following his swearing in ceremony at the 40th Infantry Division Headquarters at Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos.

Group photo of service members and civilians.

From left: U.S. Army Lt. Col. Manju Vig, garrison commander of Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos; Col. Robin Hoeflein, chief of staff of the 40th Infantry Division, California Army National Guard; John Arbogast, California state director for the Selective Service System, Joel Spangenberg, Selective Service System acting director, Brig. Gen. Robert Wooldridge, 40th Infantry Division deputy commanding general, and Steven Kett, Selective Service System Region III manager, stand for a group photo in the 40th Infantry Division headquarters following Arbogast’s swearing in ceremony, March 13, at Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Crystal Housman)

From left: U.S. Army Lt. Col. Manju Vig, garrison commander of Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos; Col. Robin Hoeflein, chief of staff of the 40th Infantry Division, California Army National Guard; John Arbogast, California state director for the Selective Service System, Joel Spangenberg, Selective Service System acting director, Brig. Gen. Robert Wooldridge, 40th Infantry Division deputy commanding general, and Steven Kett, Selective Service System Region III manager, stand for a group photo in the 40th Infantry Division headquarters following Arbogast’s swearing in ceremony, March 13, at Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Crystal Housman)