Oct. 1, 2010
Rockefeller, Rahall Support Elevating National Guard to Joint Chiefs Status
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
From a Nick Rahall Press Release
Washington, DC (HNN) – U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall and Senator Jay Rockefeller (Both D-W.Va.) yesterday, introduced the Guardians of Freedom Act of 2010, a bill to elevate the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to a position on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“The men and women of our National Guard are serving America now more than ever. As the last Guard troops return home from Iraq and from the front lines in Afghanistan to the flooded main streets in storm weary cities and towns, and to disaster areas in every corner of our Nation, they answer the call of duty,” said Rahall.
“They deserve a seat at the head table when decisions are made affecting their lives, missions and resources. Congress must take action to elevate the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to a position on the Joint Chiefs of Staff to serve as an advocate and liaison,” Rahall continued, adding, “ Senator Rockefeller and I will work together on this common sense measure for our dedicated Guard members.”
“As the former Governor of West Virginia and Chairman of both the Veterans Affairs and Intelligence Committees in the Senate, I know first-hand the enormous importance of the National Guard. Whether it is flooding, mudslides and tornadoes, or fighting overseas to defend our national security, these brave men and women protect our communities each and every day - and we are deeply indebted to them for their service,” said Rockefeller.
"Since 9/11, the mutual respect and inter-dependence between the active-duty forces and the National Guard has grown,” Rickefeller continued. “ Our legislation will strengthen this crucial partnership by making sure the National Guard has an equal voice at the Joint Chiefs of Staff as our nation prepares to respond to emerging domestic concerns and foreign threats. The people of West Virginia count on the National Guard and we must see to it that they have the resources and support they need to keep us all safe and secure.”
In recent years the National Guard has been challenged by long-term and multiple deployments to front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan, yet, currently is not represented in the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which is a group of key military leaders that advise U.S. civilian government leaders including the President.
Elevating the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to a position on the Joint Chiefs of Staff places the Chief in a position to offer the appropriate input during the planning and budgetary process within the Department of Defense and advise about proper use of troops in the homefront mission, both for natural disasters and terrorist attacks.
“I am truly thankful for this, and want to thank Congressman Rahall and Senator Rockefeller for understanding the Federal and State mission of the National Guard,” said Major General Allen E. Tackett, The Adjutant General West Virginia National Guard. “Until the National Guard has a seat on the Joint Chiefs, we will never have a voice that understands the National Guard’s homeland defense mission and support to civil authorities. We need a seat at the table to avoid actions like the recent efforts to remove C-130 aircraft from Air National Guard units without input from affected Governors and Adjutants General, and to ensure funding support for the multi-mission National Guard and its Constitutional roles.”
As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau would have responsibility and authority to advocate and coordinate the Guard’s war fighting support and force provider mission with its homeland security and support missions to ensure the Guard has the resources to perform its multiple missions and fulfill its Constitutional role to our country.
“From the home front to the front lines, we call upon our National Guard to fulfill missions of public safety and security on and between our borders here at home, and send them to foreign lands to combat terrorism abroad,” said Rahall. “I urge my colleagues to support the Guardians for Freedom Act of 2010 – so each branch of the military—especially our National Guard always has a voice at the table.”
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Rockefeller, Rahall Support Elevating National Guard to Joint Chiefs Status
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
From a Nick Rahall Press Release
Washington, DC (HNN) – U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall and Senator Jay Rockefeller (Both D-W.Va.) yesterday, introduced the Guardians of Freedom Act of 2010, a bill to elevate the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to a position on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“The men and women of our National Guard are serving America now more than ever. As the last Guard troops return home from Iraq and from the front lines in Afghanistan to the flooded main streets in storm weary cities and towns, and to disaster areas in every corner of our Nation, they answer the call of duty,” said Rahall.
“They deserve a seat at the head table when decisions are made affecting their lives, missions and resources. Congress must take action to elevate the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to a position on the Joint Chiefs of Staff to serve as an advocate and liaison,” Rahall continued, adding, “ Senator Rockefeller and I will work together on this common sense measure for our dedicated Guard members.”
“As the former Governor of West Virginia and Chairman of both the Veterans Affairs and Intelligence Committees in the Senate, I know first-hand the enormous importance of the National Guard. Whether it is flooding, mudslides and tornadoes, or fighting overseas to defend our national security, these brave men and women protect our communities each and every day - and we are deeply indebted to them for their service,” said Rockefeller.
"Since 9/11, the mutual respect and inter-dependence between the active-duty forces and the National Guard has grown,” Rickefeller continued. “ Our legislation will strengthen this crucial partnership by making sure the National Guard has an equal voice at the Joint Chiefs of Staff as our nation prepares to respond to emerging domestic concerns and foreign threats. The people of West Virginia count on the National Guard and we must see to it that they have the resources and support they need to keep us all safe and secure.”
In recent years the National Guard has been challenged by long-term and multiple deployments to front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan, yet, currently is not represented in the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which is a group of key military leaders that advise U.S. civilian government leaders including the President.
Elevating the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to a position on the Joint Chiefs of Staff places the Chief in a position to offer the appropriate input during the planning and budgetary process within the Department of Defense and advise about proper use of troops in the homefront mission, both for natural disasters and terrorist attacks.
“I am truly thankful for this, and want to thank Congressman Rahall and Senator Rockefeller for understanding the Federal and State mission of the National Guard,” said Major General Allen E. Tackett, The Adjutant General West Virginia National Guard. “Until the National Guard has a seat on the Joint Chiefs, we will never have a voice that understands the National Guard’s homeland defense mission and support to civil authorities. We need a seat at the table to avoid actions like the recent efforts to remove C-130 aircraft from Air National Guard units without input from affected Governors and Adjutants General, and to ensure funding support for the multi-mission National Guard and its Constitutional roles.”
As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau would have responsibility and authority to advocate and coordinate the Guard’s war fighting support and force provider mission with its homeland security and support missions to ensure the Guard has the resources to perform its multiple missions and fulfill its Constitutional role to our country.
“From the home front to the front lines, we call upon our National Guard to fulfill missions of public safety and security on and between our borders here at home, and send them to foreign lands to combat terrorism abroad,” said Rahall. “I urge my colleagues to support the Guardians for Freedom Act of 2010 – so each branch of the military—especially our National Guard always has a voice at the table.”
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