battalions in the Army Reserve. In addition, the New Mexico National Guard's Drug Demand Reduction Program was praised by the National Guard Bureau and used as a pilot program for similar programs in other states. In 1994 Baca was promoted to lieutenant general and appointed Chief of the National Guard Bureau by President Bill Clinton. In 1995, the United States Department of Defense planned to cut the number of National Guard combat divisions by 50% in order to allocate more funding to active duty forces. Baca strongly resisted this attempt, replying to those in the Pentagon who called for a justification of Guard combat units' contribution to national security: "There were a lot of folks who said the same thing before World War II, 'Where's the threat?'" By 1998, his efforts paid off when Guardsmen were needed to supplement the US complement for SFOR in Bosnia, and were available, enabling the National Guard to deploy its first combat unit overseas in nearly thirty years. Of this time, Baca was able to say of the Guard's capacity: "We've got a reserve of untapped ability before we'd ever feel a pinch." In 1998, Baca unsuccessfully attempted to have the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery changed to eliminate what he perceived as cultural biases. Baca remained Chief until his retirement on July 31, 1998. After retirement he led a leadership training and consulting business in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Personal life Baca was married to Rita Hennigan of Muenster, Texas. The couple had seven children -- Brian (1974-2015), Brenda, Karen Nielsen, Mark, Michelle, David, and Daniel. Four served in the military, including two who were members of the New Mexico National Guard. Baca died from leukemia on September 15, 2020 at the age of 82. He was buried at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Education Baca attended the College of Santa Fe, and in 1986 he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Arts from Regents College (now Excelsior University). He was a graduate of the Ordnance Officer Basic and Advanced Courses and the Command and General Staff Officer Course. Awards Among LTG Baca's decorations were: Army Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Meritorious Service Medal Army Commendation Medal Army Reserve Component Achievement Award with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star Vietnam Service Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two Hourglass Devices Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm