Pasadena Community Leader and Retired Military Officer, John A. Arbogast, Sworn in as California State Director

Rosslyn, VA: Today, civic and community leader, John A. Arbogast, was sworn in as the California State Director of the Selective Service System by acting Director of Selective Service Joel C. Spangenberg. A native Californian, Mr. Arbogast was nominated for this leadership position by California Governor Gavin Newsom. The swearing-in ceremony was held this morning at the California National Guard Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos.

Acting Director Spangenberg said, “Mr. Arbogast is a highly regarded member of the Pasadena community, with a proven record of success in everything he does. He is an exceptional leader, recognized for his contributions as a veteran, first responder, teacher, and coach. We are fortunate to have Mr. Arbogast take the reins as California State Director. He will lead efforts to strengthen Selective Service System readiness capabilities statewide in coordination with California’s state, county, and local officials.”

“Having served our country in the U.S. Coast Guard with four years of voluntary active duty after 9/11, I appreciate and respect the sacrifices that the men and women who serve are making for our country. The Selective Service System enables our Nation to respond effectively to military personnel needs in times of national emergency. It is an honor and privilege to serve as California State Director and support this important mission by ensuring that we can fairly and rapidly mobilize operations across the state if called upon to do so,” said Mr. Arbogast.

During his 28 years of distinguished military service, Mr. Arbogast served as a Detachment Commander for the Selective Service System for Los Angeles County, California. He oversaw all volunteer board memberships, successfully increasing board member staffing levels from 63 percent to 97 percent during his tenure. He was subsequently awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal for his extraordinary achievements while serving in this leadership position.

Mr. Arbogast, recently retired from his duties as a Pasadena City Commissioner and volunteer Pasadena Fire Department medic, and previously served as a federal inspector for the U.S. Department of Justice, a chief warrant officer 4 in the U.S. Coast Guard, and a master training honors history teacher and track coach. He was also a lead law enforcement peace officer and fire suppression captain as a park ranger for the City of Los Angeles for 21 years. Most recently, he served as California’s Deputy State Director of the Selective Service System.

Mr. Arbogast is an honors graduate from both the University of Southern California and the California State University at Los Angeles Master Teaching Program.  He completed a graduate fellowship in field archeology at the College of William & Mary, as well as two advanced leadership schools at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He lives with his wife Nancie, who serves as the Chief of Internal Affairs for the Los Angeles Fire Department, in both Pasadena and San Clemente, California.

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Federal law requires all male citizens, as well as male non-citizens residing in the U.S., to register with Selective Service System within 30 days of their 18^th birthday. At 26, a man becomes too old to register. Those who do not comply are ineligible for numerous benefits, including state-level student financial aid, federal job training and employment, and U.S. citizenship for male immigrants.

The Selective Service System seeks volunteers to serve on its Local Boards and as State Resource Volunteers. Interested citizen-volunteers can apply at sss.gov.