Landrieu, Chambliss Stress Better Equipment, Pay & Benefits Needed for Guard and Reserve Components
Senators Request Study of Needs Linked to Increased, Lengthier Deployments
WASHINGTON — As part of a continuing effort to meet the needs of National Guard and Reserve Units called to active duty, U.S. Senators Mary Landrieu, (D-LA), and Saxby Chambliss, (R-GA), today requested a General Accounting Office (GAO) study of equipment as well as special needs associated with longer, more frequent deployments. At a press conference today, both senators announced they are jointly sending a letter requesting the GAO to explore issues and needs resulting from increased demands placed upon the Guard and Reserve. Chambliss and Landrieu, both members of the Senate Reserve Caucus, have introduced multiple pieces of legislation to increase funding for equipment needs and establish greater pay equity for members of the Guard and Reserve
"As the war in Iraq progresses, our Guard and Reserve Forces have served proudly alongside our regular forces, placing their lives on the line to protect our country and liberate the people of Iraq," said Senator Landrieu. "It is imperative that we provide adequate supplies for these units, and to do that, we have to first find out specifically what their needs are. This marks the first time in 18 years such a request has been made, and a number of shortages were noted at that time. Our Guardsmen and women and Reservists represent a far greater percentage of combat and support forces than they have in the past, and their deployments are longer and more frequent. All of these changes contribute to an increase in equipment needs as well as family expenses, so those issues must be examined. I look forward to getting the results of this report so that we can move forward to quickly meet the needs."
"As we continue to meet our operational goals in Iraq and move into the next critical phase of helping the Iraqi people rebuild their nation, we know that the demands we are placing on our Guard and Reserve components will only increase," Chambliss said. "It is important that we begin now to take a serious look at these issues and determine the best course of action necessary to effectively prepare and equip our guardsmen and reservists for the challenges that lie ahead. I will be looking at this GAO report to highlight those areas most in need including pay and benefit discrepancies, and equipment and weapons modernization needs."
From 1945 to 1990, Guard and Reserve forces were activated only four times contrasted with eight times since 1990. During the Vietnam Conflict, approximately 23,000 troops were called up from the Reserve forces. Yet, in Operation Desert Storm and Shield, over 100,000 reservists and guardsmen were activated. Again, since September 11, 2001, over 300,000 Reserve and Guard billets have been activated. Compromising 40 percent of the total force structure, the National Guard and Reserve receive only approximately 8 percent of the resources in the annual Department of Defense budget.
Specifically, the GAO report will:
- Identify modernization needs of Guard and Reserve;
- Identify pay and benefit inequities between Active Duty, Guard and Reserve;
- Identify equipment shortfalls of Guard and Reserve; and
- Investigate effects of Operations Tempo (OPTEMPO) on recruiting and retention of Guard and Reserve.
As of April 9th, 2003, 221,186 National Guard and Reserve Units were serving on active duty around the world. The Senators are requesting that the study be completed within six months.
