'Hollow force could mean more money for guard

National Guard, Oct 1998

Barracks are leaking. Recruiting numbers are low. Soldiers are leaving the Army for civilian jobs. The decline in force strength is beginning to show, concerning military leaders and politicians that a "hollow force" may be developing.

A hollow force occurs when units show a superficial readiness which may not be entirely accurate.

Commanders may not accurately report their status, operations and maintenance needs are backlogged, and training may suffer

This concern led two of the Army's top generals to Capitol Hill last month, as Congressional leaders begin to look more closely at the problem. At a Senate Armed Services hearing on Sept. 24, former Forces Command (Forscom) commander Gen. David Bramlett joined the current commander, Gen. Thomas Schwartz to call on Congress to deliver more money in order to curtail what is being called an imminent "train wreck" of force strength.

As downsizing continues, the Department of Defense has felt the budget constrict. That has equaled new problems for the Army, which is now saying it cannot afford the current operations tempo (optempo). While deployments have increased significantly, money has dwindled.

At the hearing, Bramlett told senators Forscom had seen the quality of life for soldiers dwindle. A booming civilian economy has made recruitment and retention difficult. Bramlett said several years ago, Forscom made a conscious decision to continue funding training and modern ization, knowing that the quality of life on installations would decrease.

Now those deficiencies are becoming a large factor in the hollow force fear

For the Guard, though, that could mean increased funding. President Clinton issued a letter of concern to the Secretary of Defense at the end of last month, stating the importance of military readiness.

"More needs to be done," for readiness, Clinton wrote. Calling readiness a "top priority," the letter says, "We need to examine options with Congress to secure additional funds in FY [fiscal year] 1999."

Exactly how much money that is was not known at press time. But any increase is likely to send more money in the Guard's direction.