Legislative Briefing
January 2012
NGAUS Ngaid.orgThe National Guard Officer’s Association
of Idaho
The National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) was created in 1878 for the purpose of providing united National Guard representation before Congress.
Today, just as then, NGAUS seeks to obtain better equipment, standardized training and a more combat-ready force by petitioning Congress for resources.
Honoring the Guard’s Heritage
Since 1878
President’s Top Priorities
1. Grow Membership
2. Work Capitol Hill
3. Endow the Educational Foundation
MG (Ret) Gus HargettPresident, NGAUS
Telling the Guard Story
NGAUS Legislative Staff
Richard GreenLegislative Director
Peter DuffyDeputy Director Joint
Programs
Anthony WallisLegislative Assistant
Air Programs
Annie LivelyLegislative Assistant
Army Programs
Dixie RossLegislative Analyst
Joint Programs
Emily SassSenior Legislative Affairs Manager - Air Programs
Kevin McColaughSenior Legislative Affairs
Manager - Army Programs
Your voice on Capitol Hill
"We have a battle-proven, operational force, and it would be a disservice for our National Guard to revert back to pre-9/11 levels of equipment, readiness and training.”
MG (Ret) Gus Hargett, testifying before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, June 22, 2011
Driving the Conversation on Capitol Hill
“Battle-proven, operational force”
Working Capitol Hill
Record Capitol Hill meetings in 2011 – Over 170!
National Guard Empowerment
Last year, NGAUS executed a successful “all hands on deck” approach to build support for the National Guard Empowerment, signed into law by the President! The key provisions:
Created a permanent seat on the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the Chief of the National Guard BureauRe-established the position of Vice Chief, National Guard Bureau at the Three-Star level
Historic achievement for the Guard
Behavior health support for members of the Reserve Component during scheduled unit training assemblies
Reemployment Rights for Title 32 National Guard duty Expansion of state licensure exceptions for certain health care
professionals to facilitate access to healthcare for National Guard soldiers in rural and remote areas
NGREA: $325 million for ARNG & $315 million for ANG MILCON: $773.6 million for ARNG & $116.2 million for ANG $47.2 million for ANG F-15 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA)
Radar
FY2012 Accomplishments
Last year was great for the Guard!
Guard Funding from FY03-FY12
10 Years of Robust Budgets
ARNG
Army
ANG
DOD
Air Force
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
58.9%
47.3%
44.3%
42.5%
27.6%
% Increase in Budget from FY03 to FY12
National Guard accounts have been among the highest recipients of this increased funding over the past 10 years.
Army Guard accounts went from $9.6 billion in FY03 to $15.3 billion in FY12, an increase of $5.7 billion or a nearly 60% increase.
Over the same period, Air National Guard accounts went from $6.4 billion to $9.3 billion, an increase of $2.9 billion or an increase of 44%.
FY2013 Priorities
Cost Effective, Readily Accessible Solution for America’s National Defense
Maintain a fully operational, relevant, and ready 21st Century National Guard for timely response to contingency and domestic operations
Support shifting Active Component missions and manpower into the National Guard to maintain capabilities and improve efficiencies at a fraction of the cost
Personnel Initiatives Establish dwell time medical readiness Worldwide Space A travel for Reserve
Component members and dependents Fund embedded mental health programs Veteran status for all retired members Allow employers to pay TRS with pre-tax
dollars
Early Retirement Credit Authorize retroactive credit to September
11, 2001 Provide an incentive for continued service beyond 20
years by authorizing one year early retirement credit for every two years served beyond twenty
Leverage ANG Principles Continue use of cost-effective basing using shared
infrastructure and runways with non-DoD members Increase balance of higher cost per flying hour platforms
to a more experienced force with less training requirements
Fully Equip and Modernize the ARNG and ANG
Continue to provide funding for ARNG equipment and the National Guard and Reserves Equipment Account (NGREA) for critical dual-use equipment
Modernize legacy ANG platforms guaranteeing no gap in National Defense capabilities or missions prior to fielding of next generation weapon systems
Modernize National Guard Facilities Provide robust military construction funding to assure
modern and functional training and mobilization facilities Support Guard and Reserve Initiative (GRI) funds to
provide flexible options for critical infrastructure projects
But….challenges ahead
Get Involved!
How You Can Help
Know Your Congressional Delegation
They Want to Hear Directly From You
Write to Congress
Nearly 125,000 Letters Sent Last Year!
Last year, NGAUS members sent 124,638 letters using our Write to Congress feature! We’re doing great…but we can and must do better!
“Grassroots-Up” Approach to Resolutions
States submit draft resolutions, adopted at state conferences, directly to NGAUS – MAY 15th Deadline; Emergencies due by 7/31
Reviewed by stakeholders—NGB, NGAUS Task Forces – MAY to AUGUST
Voted on/approved at NGAUS general conference – AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
NGAUS Resolutions Process
Setting our priorities, from the Grassroots-Up!
NGAUS Resolutions Process
“Grassroots-Up” Approach (CONTINUED)
Resolutions Published at NGAUS Industry Day – DECEMBER
Prioritized by NGAUS Task Force Chairs and form legislative agenda for the next year – NOVEMBER to JANUARY
Worked on Capitol Hill – JANUARY to DECEMBER
Setting our priorities, from the Grassroots-Up!
AVIATION BG Eric Peck (KS)
AVIATION BG Eric Peck (KS)
NGAUSCHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
MG Frank Vavala(DE)
NGAUS VC - ARMYMG John Walsh
(MT)
NGAUS VC - ARMYMG John Walsh
(MT)
NGAUS VC - AIRBrig Gen William Burks
(NV)
NGAUS VC - AIRBrig Gen William Burks
(NV)
FIRE SUPPORTMG Robert Bray
(RI)
FIRE SUPPORTMG Robert Bray
(RI)
COMBAT VEHICLEMG Wesley Craig
(PA)
COMBAT VEHICLEMG Wesley Craig
(PA)
C4I COL Jim Begley
(DE)
C4I COL Jim Begley
(DE)
CS/CSS BG M. Washburn
(IN)
CS/CSS BG M. Washburn
(IN)
COMBAT AIR FORCESBrig Gen Jeff Johnson
(DC)
COMBAT AIR FORCESBrig Gen Jeff Johnson
(DC)
MOBILITY AIR FORCESBrig Gen Harold Reed
(WY)
MOBILITY AIR FORCESBrig Gen Harold Reed
(WY)
COMBAT SUPPORTMaj Gen Scott Rice
(MA)
COMBAT SUPPORTMaj Gen Scott Rice
(MA)
PERSONNEL/BENEFITSBG Kathy Wright
(WY)
PERSONNEL/BENEFITSBG Kathy Wright
(WY)
MEDICAL Lt Col Preston Smith
(PA)
MEDICAL Lt Col Preston Smith
(PA)
NGAUSPRESIDENT
MG (Ret.) Gus Hargett
NGAUSPRESIDENT
MG (Ret.) Gus Hargett
ENGINEERBG Jeff Holmes (TN)
ENGINEERBG Jeff Holmes (TN)
MISSION SUPPORTCol Murray Hansen
(GA)
MISSION SUPPORTCol Murray Hansen
(GA)
HOMELAND SECURITY MG Herbert Newton
(SC)
HOMELAND SECURITY MG Herbert Newton
(SC)
NGAUS Task Forces
www.ngaus.org
Ngaid.orgThe National Guard Officer’s Association of Idaho
Join the Conversation!