the chief of the national guard bureau is a federally recognized commissioned officer who has served at least 10 years of federally recognized active duty in any of the reserves of the army or air force, either from the united states army reserve, the army national guard of the united states, the united states air force reserve or the air national guard of the united states. the chief is nominated for appointment by the president from any eligible national guard officers holding the rank of major general or above, who also meets the requirements for the position as determined by defense secretary and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, under the advice and/or recommendation from their respective state governors and their service secretary. the nominee must be confirmed via majority vote from the senate. the chief serves a four-year term of office at the pleasure of the president. by statute, the chief is appointed as a four-star general in the army or air force, serving as a reserve officer on active duty.