National Guard leaders talk fiscal constraints, cost-effective solutions

  • Published
  • By Army Sgt. Darron Salzer
  • National Guard Bureau
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  As part of the total force, the National Guard has successfully transformed into an operational force, the top National Guard leader said here May 11.

This transformation would be impossible without the investments made in the Guard and Reserve, said Air Force Gen. Craig McKinley, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill.

The Guard must remain operational so "this significant investment is not squandered," General McKinley said. The Guard is in the midst of a transition "bordering on transformation" and must maintain readiness to continue to be a part of the national security framework.

"Through a number of National Guard-specific missions," he said, "we've demonstrated the unique capabilities of our citizen-soldiers, who bring a unique blend of civilian skills.

"These missions include our support to the combatant commanders around the world, to the State Partnership Program ... the agribusiness development teams in Afghanistan, and as a critical partner in the Department of Defense chemical, biological, radiological and high-yield explosive enterprise," General McKinley added.

These missions would not have been possible without the men and women of the National Guard, he said, and the transformation to an operational force has increased the stress on families.

"That is why it is critical that family programs in the (fiscal 2012) request are fully funded," General McKinley said.

The redesign of the Guard into an operational force as it has met the challenges of the 21st century has taken a heavy toll on families and employers, General McKinley said.

One of the challenges is how to integrate Guard members back into their families and communities, he said. The Yellow Ribbon program is one solution to this challenge, as it already does a great deal to bring families back together as a team.

"Yellow Ribbon has been critical in the effort to provide our Soldiers with the same access to services that active component Soldiers can find on installations," said Army Maj. Gen. Raymond Carpenter, acting director of the Army National Guard.

The program has also played a major part in addressing suicides within the Air Guard, said Air Force Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt, the director of the Air National Guard.

Later in the hearing, the generals addressed equipment concerns. General Wyatt said the main concern for the Air Guard is the age of its equipment.

"Modernization is the key to remain an operational force," he said.

The Guard leaders agreed about the role the committee has played throughout the last decade in shaping what the Guard has become: an operational force.

"This operational force did not just happen," General McKinley said. "It came on the backs of taxpayers of this great country and this committee.

"The top priority (in) my tenure as chief is to ensure that the organization of the National Guard Bureau supports our new role as an operational force," he added.