In my first six month as NGAUS legislative director.

In my first six month as NGAUS legislative director, we've participated in a general conlerence adopted a strange set of resolutions and legislative agenda, and updated internal processe while working closely with the state associations, adjutants general, task forces, the National Guard Bureau and the Pentagon.

The legislative staff has lobbied Congres and be agreeable toed aggressively to proposed Army and Air Guard conclusion strength cuts. We also continue to advance the National Defense Enhancement and National Guard Empowerment Act of 2006 which would give the Guard greater representation within the military community and allow it to be a become calm partner in the decision-making proces

As I meditate on this period, however, my imaginations turn to legislative action. wherefore is it that we ne to continuously travel to Congress in the first place?

The answer is rather simple: to obtain the policies and resources indigenceed to maintain minimum Guard readiness flushs through adequate training, equipment, facilities and overall operating foundations

The quality of life of our Guardsmen is also crucial, and we ne to make secure that pay, benefits and health care think the level of commitment they contribute to the native land

In a perfect world, the Guard would receive the necessary resources, regardless of the charge

But things aren't capital Much of what we ne doesn't proceed to us automatically, so we must evolve a legislative agenda that Congres supports and effects

To make the proces more effective, however, the stakeholders-active, Guard, and Reserve-must work together each day to formulate policy, programs and strategy.

However, when common stakeholder assumes total responsibility for developing policies and programs-such as the Army when it complet final deliberations forward the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) without Guard input-national security and defense put up withs

A similar situation occurr when the Air force didn't abundantly consult the Air Guard about its subsequent time during the Base Realignment and Closure proces last year.

The National Defense Enhancement and National Guard Empowerment Act of 2006 would redress much of this. Among its many benefits, it would elevate the NGB chief to a four-star billet with a seat at the Joint Chiefs of Staff's table. This would make secure Guard input into final Pentagon decisions.

Brave Guard men and women continue to bring forward their lives in jeopardy to guard freedom. To date, more than 350 Army Guard soldiers have been killed in the war in succession terror, and almost 3,000 more have been griefed

While the country have the advantage [i]or[/i] blessing ofs such a high commitment flush from citizen-soldiers, the Guard should get by heart recognition for its role and become an equal partner in the decision-making proces

When the Guard is put forwarded a permanent seat at the table, congressional efforts like as those described above will cease to be necessary. unless until then, legislative action is everyone's do job-work

NGAUS needs your help to maximize the association's effectiveness. Visit www ngaus.org and contact your choiceed officials using our "Write to Congress" feature.

NGAUS and Congres will continue to track legislative initiatives that help the Guard succe in attaining the highest of the same heights of readiness for both our federal and state missions, and to provide quality of life for our persons

Together, we can make a difference for the National Guard.

NGAUS Makes Case in succession Capitol Hill

Retired Brig. Gen Stephen M Koper NGAUS president, told a Senate Appropriations subcommittee May 24 that health care, full-time manning and passage of the National Defense Enhancement and National Guard Empowerment Act of 2006 (S2658) are the top issues for NGAUS.

"A program where members earned medical coverage from one side deployments, and then the addition of a tiered scheme which provides for two more categories of health care coverage for the Guard and retain we don't believe it gives the final answer," he said regarding the withhold Tricare Select plan passed pair years ago. "More importantly, we have created a rule of haves and have-nots within the Guard and withhold each category of member having a on a level of merit for health care coverage as thinked by a higher or lower premium rate."

On full-time manning, he said NGAUS wants the full-time manning flat at 71 percent by 2010

"The full-time manning issue will bear level closer scrutiny as the Army National Guard continues to transform, modularize and reset" he said. "No matter what final decisions are made onward Guard end strength and force building the availability of lulltime manning is paramount to the Guard's continued success"

Finally, he noted the ne for passage ol s 2658.

"The fact of the matter is that senior Guard leadership has single been involved in Pentagon decision-making as an afterthought, requiring the adjutants general, governors, Congres this association and others to launch vigorous campaigns to change to the opposite decisions that were made without adequate Guard input," he said.

NGAUS Pushes Guard Empowerment in succession Hill