A commander in chief of the California National Guard was fired after officials received reports that he was using subordinates to do personal errands.
Brig. General Jeffrey Magram deployed troops to take his mother shopping and complete mandatory online cybersecurity training.
Reports also suggest the general was deploying an F-15C fighter jet in a way that some said could be used in a way that could startle civilian protesters.
According to National Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Brandon Hill, Magram is said to be “involuntarily” transferred to the U.S. Air Force Reserves after retirement, which is believed to be “concurrent” with a shot.
Brig. General Jeffrey Magram deployed troops to take his mother shopping and complete mandatory online cybersecurity training
Reports also suggest the general was deploying an F-15C fighter jet in a way that some said could be used in a way that could startle civilian protesters
While investigating the allegations against the general, National Guard officials also found that Magram had a member of the Guard drive him 120 miles round-trip to a dentist appointment.
The soldier who complained is quoted in a document as saying, “My job is to take care of the airmen in the state of California, not a general’s chauffeur.”
Officials also said they had heard allegations that Magram was preparing a fighter jet for a “possible domestic mission” in 2020.
The group said they feared his order would be seen as “buzzing” and simply an attempt to disperse crowds during the George Floyd protests.
Maj. Gen. David Baldwin suspended Magram with pay in 2021 after the Los Angeles Times published a report on the incident.
At the time, Baldwin denied the jet was ready to fly and insisted the suspension had nothing to do with the LA Times report.
While investigating the allegations against the general, National Guard officials also found that Magram (third from left) had a member of the Guard drive him 120 miles round-trip to a dentist appointment
The general said he believes the trips fell under the Air Force’s “wingman concept,” which involves being on the lookout for other soldiers and women
The guard who took Magram’s mother to the grocery store spoke to officers and described the trip.
“She was special. When I say special, it had to be at Whole Foods. … It just took her a long time to decide what she wanted and made a lot of comparison purchases between products,” the unnamed guard member explained.
The report said Magram did not dispute the claims and even broadly confirmed the accounts.
The general said he believes the trips fell under the Air Force’s “wingman concept,” which involves being on the lookout for other soldiers and women.
“I would like to reiterate that if I had ever heard of or perceived any such ethical issues from subordinates, colleagues or commanders, I would have corrected or addressed them immediately,” Magram said in a statement to an inspector general.
“I want to reiterate that if I had ever heard of such ethical issues from subordinates, colleagues, or commanders, or perceived them, I would have corrected or addressed them immediately,” Magram said
An internal National Guard investigation also found that Magram failed to complete its annual cybersecurity training course
An internal National Guard investigation also found that Magram failed to complete its annual cybersecurity training course.
The report noted that every day the general asked lower-ranking members of the Guard to allow him temporary access to his computer.
This system lasted two weeks until finally a member of the lower guard did the training for him.
Magram said it was his “enormously busy pace of operations” that did not allow him to complete the workout in a statement.
A memo from the guard obtained by the Los Angeles Times said the man “had a subordinate click through the training questions and get him a certificate of completion.”
Officials also said they had heard allegations that Magram was preparing a fighter jet for a “possible domestic mission” in 2020
In 2017, the general, who has since been fired, was charged with similar behavior.
“Your conduct has caused me to lose faith, trust and confidence in your ability to continue your service,” Maj. Gen. Matthew Beevers, the Guard’s assistant adjutant general, wrote in a memorandum to Magram.
According to his biography on the National Guard website, Magram first enlisted in the California Air National Guard in 1985 as a musician in the 561st Air Force Band.
The General has served in the Service Department at bases in Moffet and Sacramento during his nearly 40-year career.
Magram is now the fifth general to resign, retire, or be fired from the California National Guard
All officers were fired or resigned after the LA Times reported scandals
Magram is now the fifth general to have resigned, retired or been fired from the California National Guard in the past four years due to scandals reported by the LA Times.
In July 2022, Baldwin resigned following a misconduct investigation by senior officials.
In April 2019, two colonels were relieved of their duties for misconduct.
Maj. Gen. Clay L. Garrison was discharged April 5 for his inability to “maintain a positive command climate,” Lt. Cmdr. Col. Thomas Keegan then.
Less than a week later, the LA Times reported that Col. Victor Sikora was relieved of his command after he “behaved inappropriately for an officer” over complaints that whistleblowers felt threatened.
In April 2021, Maj. Gen. Gregory Jones resigned as commander of the California Air National Guard after Baldwin said he had “lost faith, confidence and confidence.” [Jones’] Ability to foster an inclusive and healthy leadership climate.’