Washington, DC - October 28, 2009 - Today, President Barack Obama signed into law the Fiscal Year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which authorizes funding and sets policy for the Department of Defense.  Included in the NDAA was legislation authored by Congresswoman Niki Tsongas to improve the research, development and procurement of lighter weight body armor to better protect servicemen and women on the battlefield.  The bill also includes a provision authored by Tsongas that will expand pre-deployment access to TRICARE, the military's health care benefits, for National Guard and Reservists.  Tsongas also worked with a bipartisan group of House Armed Services Committee members to include language in the conference report that will improve sexual assault prevention in the military. 

"The Defense Authorization Act, signed into law today, provides the resources that our service members and armed forces require to keep our country safe and protect our national interests," said Congresswoman Niki Tsongas.  "I am particularly pleased this bill includes legislation I introduced earlier this year which will accelerate the development of lighter weight body armor for soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  By devoting specific accounts to body armor development and procurement, we can more easily address shortcomings with the current body armor program and promote the development of body armor that is best suited to protecting our soldiers against current threats."

Currently, soldiers deployed in both theatres are outfitted with body armor that weighs as much as 30 pounds.  Combined with traditional rucksack, rifle, ammunition, and other equipment, the load that troops are carrying in the field can weigh up to 90 pounds.  In 2007 alone the Army reported 257,000 acute orthopedic injuries that were linked to the stress of bearing heavy loads during repeated deployments, leading to 20,000 non-deployable soldiers.  The problems associated with these heavy loads will no doubt increase with an expanded commitment in Afghanistan.  The Congresswoman's bill would create an account specifically for the procurement and development of body armor.  Currently, our armed services draw funding for body armor from a general account that funds a vast array of military technology and equipment. 

"I used the two most recent versions of body armor while deployed to Afghanistan in 2007 and 2008," said Major Chris Gramstorff of the Massachusetts Army National Guard.  "I have no doubt that Soldiers today are benefiting from this equipment in the form of increased survivability that was not previously possible. With that being said, Soldiers also labor under the heavy weight and restrictive nature of the current version of the Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV).  Any initiative that results in the fielding of a lighter, less restrictive piece of equipment will result in Soldiers being able to move faster for longer distances with less fatigue.  Every ounce you can take off Soldiers equipment without sacrificing protection is a godsend, especially when operating in challenging geographic locations such as Afghanistan."

The Defense Authorization Act also includes a provision authored by Tsongas to increase early access to TRICARE for National Guard and reservists who are called up to active duty from the current 90 days to 180 days.  This change would provide sufficient time for service members to seek needed medical care, schedule minor surgeries, or resolve other conditions that could easily be addressed given enough lead time.

The current time between Early Eligibility TRICARE and mobilization date is insufficient to address many treatable conditions.  As a result, some soldiers are unable to be deployed for medical reasons and our nation's military readiness is compromised.  According to the Army National Guard, in a given 3000 soldier unit, 100 soldiers with correctable medical conditions are non-deployable.  Soldiers must then be moved from one unit to another to replace their non-deployable counterparts.  This creates rotation and cohesion problems.  Expanding access to 180 days will allow these treatable conditions to be addressed and improve soldier readiness and cohesion.

"The current 90 day period has proven to be inadequate to correct medical and dental readiness deficiencies which can cause significant hardships to units who lose key personnel who are rendered nondeployable for conditions that could have been addressed had a funded medical and dental care program been in effect for a greater period," said Peter Duffy, Deputy Director, Legislative Programs, National Guard Association.  "This measure provides needed relief to deploying National Guard units.  Representative Tsongas’ effort is a huge step in the right direction for the National Guard."

Tsongas was also part of a bipartisan group of Armed Services Committee members who included language in the bill to address the unacceptably high incidents of sexual assault in the military.  The language provides needed oversight and improves the investigative procedures, training and prevention of sexual assault, and the rights and care provided to victims, including access to care in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 "Our troops sacrifice so much for our country.  It is our responsibility to provide them with the very best and most up to date equipment and services to keep them protected and able to do their jobs effectively. I believe that the Defense Authorization Act helps to advance these goals.  As a member of the committee, I am pleased that the bill includes improvements which reflect input I received at Armed Services hearings and through conversations with service members and leaders of the National Guard. I'd like to thank President Obama, Chairman Skelton, Ranking Member McKeon and all the members of the Armed Services Committee for their support of these important measures and for their support of our service members," Tsongas concluded.  

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