Reinforced Wartime Priorities

National Guard, Jul 2004 by Hargett, Gus L

A lot of people, including the media, are completely wrong when they question our troops' willingness to serve.

Our job here at the NGAUS only would be half done without up-close communication with Guardsmen fulfilling their roles as delenders of freedom at home and abroad.

That's why my trip to Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait last month really paid off. It was an opportunity to meet Guard troops and to thank them for their work and sacrifice. But it was also a chance to see firsthand the conditions and environment in which the Guard must work. These dedicated people deserve our tireless efforts on Capitol Hill now more than ever before.

For starters, the trip revealed once again the Guard's obvious contributions as the nation makes large strides in the war on terror. But we're doing it at the considerable expense of an extremely high operations tempo.

In addition, active-component leaders were particularly quick to pay compliments, saying the Afghanistan and Iraq missions would be impossible if not for the Guard. As I encountered troops on the ground, the connection between the Guard and active-component force was seamless.

From a broader perspective, it was clear that a lot of people, including the media, are completely wrong when they question our troops' willingness to serve at home and abroad. Our Guardsmen are more willing than ever, and they understand that it's better to fight on the terrorists' turf than our own.

Even a world away, I was more convinced than ever that the issues the NGAUS continues to fight for in Washington are the right ones.

Several issues we're tackling here at home are on the minds of Guardsmen in harm's way, risking their lives overseas. And they repeatedly brought up several issues NGAUS continues to work in Congress.

Right now, the Guard is doing more than it did 30 or 40 years ago, and the troops feel they deserve the ability to retire at age 55.

They're operating at an unprecedented tempo-oftentimes a higher tempo than active folks because of special skills gained working in the civilian world.

They also deserve Tricare coverage for themselves and their families for which the NGAUS continues to fight. When supporting a joint, overseas mission with the rest of the country's dedicated military personnel, health care concerns are readiness concerns.

The cost-share plan the Pentagon agreed to test throughout 2004 continues to move too slowly. We're already halfway through the year and still our uninsured soldiers and airmen have no access to coverage. Encouraging news is that the House and Senate authorization bills each passed with Tricare coverage for Guardsmen. The House version limits it to those without insurance or the unemployed, but the Senate version is more inclusive and should be acted upon immediately.

Just as the troops abroad voiced their concerns, it's our responsibility at home to encourage Congress to support the Senate's efforts that will surely improve readiness.

Another big concern for troops is a lack of equity with the active component in promotions. Guardsmen continually face delays. This is exacerbated by the Guard operations tempo. With deployments lasting more than a year, Guardsmen performing the same jobs as their active duty counterparts shouldn't have to wait any longer for promotions.

Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum, National Guard Bureau chief, says the promotion problem would be worked out, and implementing guidance would be in the field not later than late August.

Finally, Guardsmen also were concerned about a bonus-pay system that leaves them behind their active-duty counterparts they continue to serve beside.

The bottom line is that the difference between the Guard and active duty is harder than ever to determine. The Guard is performing the same missions, and Guardsmen know they're making a necessary contribution to the war on terror. These are realities on which the active component agrees.

Our continuing mission here is to ensure these issues are echoed through Congress. The war on terror is a long, hard fight, and it's the least the NGAUS can do for those giving so much and asking so little.

Maj. Gen. Gus L. Hargett

Chairman of the Board, NGAUS