SDNGEA Resolution  2007- 01 

RELATING TO AMENDING TITLE 10, USC WHICH WOULD REDUCE THE AGE AT WHICH A RESERVE COMPONENT MEMBER MAY BEGIN RECEIVING RETIREMENT PAY 

Background:

Congress established the age limit for receipt of retired pay by reserve component members decades ago when the National Guard was not relied upon the way it is today.  Current law states that a retired reserve component member will begin to draw military retired pay upon reaching 60 years of age.  A National Guard member who enlists after high school at age 18 and retires after 30 years of service at age 48 must wait twelve years before drawing a retirement check. 

In contrast, an active component member who enlists at the same age and serves 20 years on active duty can receive retirement pay immediately upon retirement at age 38.  Reducing the eligibility age to draw retirement benefits would be a big step in mitigating this disparity.  A more equitable retirement program would greatly aid recruiting and retaining members in the National Guard.

Under current law, the retirement age for a reserve component member to collect retirement pay is 60 regardless of number of years served.  A proposed solution to current law that would also encourage longer service would be a formula to base eligibility for receipt of retired pay on years of service with the age to draw retirement pay reduced one year for every two years of service beyond twenty years.  If an individual were to serve for 22 years, then that individual would be eligible for retirement benefits at age 59, and so on.

Recommendation:

The SDNGEA recommends that the National Guard Bureau, the Department of Defense, and the Congress of the United States support legislation to reduce the age at which a member of the National Guard can receive military retirement pay. 

SDNGEA RESOLUTION 2007-02

RELATING TO THE EQUITABLE TREATMENT OF ALL NATIONAL GUARD RETIREES AND VETERANS

 Background:

Use of the National Guard in the last two and half years has marked the largest sustained call-up since World War II.  Beneficial treatment of our National Guard retirees and veterans is the most powerful recruiting tool for the Army and Air National Guard.  A man or woman considering joining the National Guard will look to those who have “been through the system” to get the true picture of what service in the National Guard will entail. 

The Global War on Terrorism, particularly operations in Iraq, has increased the number of National Guard veterans. There is no telling when the goal of eradicating terrorism will be reached, but it is certain that the call for selfless service by the National Guard will continue.  The National Guard Association of the United States believes that more equitable treatment of our retirees and veterans would both honor those who have served and would enhance recruitment and retention in the National Guard.

 Recommendation:

The SDNGEA recommends that the National Guard Bureau, the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Congress of the United States support the authorization and appropriation of funding for programs that Eliminates the disparity between Title 10 and Title 32 service by making retired medical benefits of Title 32 Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) service members the same as Title 10 active duty members.  Allow military service under Title 32 to be creditable in the same manner as that of service under Title 10 in buying back civil service retirement

SDNGEA RESOLUTION 2007-03

RELATING TO FUNDING FOR TRICARE FOR MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE COMPONENT                        

Background:

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 contains language that authorized TRICARE coverage for all members of the National Guard and their families.  The new policy replaces the burdensome tier structure with a single-fee access to TRICARE for all members of the Selected Reserve in the form of a 28 percent cost-share for participants. 

This will not only enhance unit medical readiness and mission capabilities, but creates an added incentive for recruiting and retention purposes.

 Recommendation:

The SDNGEA recommends appropriation of funding to allow all members of the National Guard single-fee access to TRICARE as authorized in the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act.

Although employers are allowed and encouraged to contribute to the reservist’s share of the premium payment, requiring the men and women serving our country in such an honorable way to pay 85 to 50 of the cost share an insult.  We are appreciative of the congressional intent behind the provision, however the Department of Defense must take on more of the cost share for this coverage.

A significant portion of US troops serving in Iraq have been members of the National Guard. Additionally, National Guard members are fulfilling commitments in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Sinai.  Providing TRICARE coverage on an affordable cost-share basis during all phases of service increases unit readiness and improves the National Guard’s ability to carry out its mission.

SDNGEA RESOLUTION 2007-04

RELATING TO EMPOWERMENT OF THE NATIONAL GUARD

 Background:

The end of the Cold War and the subsequent downsizing of our active forces brought with it an unexpected transformation of our armed forces.  With the support of Congress, an infusion of modern equipment, coupled with better training and increased integration of Active and Reserve Components to perform global peacekeeping missions, the vision of Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird in the early 1970’s of a “Total Force” was becoming a reality.  

However, the unanticipated attacks of September 11, 2001 and resulting Global War on Terror (GWOT), have stretched our armed forces to the limit and effectively transformed the Reserve Component from a strategic reserve to an operational force. 

Eventually, the high cost of prosecuting the war and depleting levels of equipment caused the Pentagon to rethink defense strategy and funding priorities.  Subsequently, the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) enacted into law the removal of aircraft from eighteen Air National Guard (ANG) facilities, and the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) recommended that six brigade combat teams (BCT) be converted to support missions and that the end-strength of the Army National Guard (ARNG) be reduced by 17,000 positions. 

At issue was the fact that neither document was produced with substantive input by the National Guard Bureau (NGB), adjutants general or governors.  Since both documents were a continuation of the Pentagon’s long-standing method of doing business without National Guard leaders being “in the huddle”, Senator’s Kit Bond (R-MO) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), co-chairs of the Senate National Guard Caucus introduced the National Defense Enhancement and National Guard Empowerment Act of 2006 (S. 2658).  This bold initiative proposed to give the National Guard a stronger voice within the Pentagon and enhance its ability to respond to emergencies at home and abroad. Representative’s Tom Davis (R-VA) and Gene Taylor (D-MS) followed suit by introducing an identical bill (H.R. 5200). 

Key provisions of the original legislation would elevate the Chief, National Guard Bureau (NGB) billet from lieutenant general to general, establish NGB as a joint activity of the Department of Defense (DOD), provide a seat on the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) for the Chief-NGB, require the deputy commander of United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) be a National Guard officer, and direct that NGB identify gaps between federal and state capabilities to prepare for and respond to emergencies. Although the original legislation was later amended (S.A. 4271) to eliminate several of the provisions, the FY2007 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) referred the issue to the Commission of the National Guard and Reserves for recommendations with a report back date of 1 March 2007. 

Understanding the importance of a strong National Guard to our nation’s security, Senator’s Bond and Leahy reintroduced the National Guard Empowerment Act of 2007 to the 110^th Congress, which, among other proposals, expands the original legislation by proposing that duty as an adjutant general is considered “joint”, and that Reserve officers be considered to fill active component lieutenant general positions.

 Recommendation:

It is the recommendation of SDNGEA that the Congress of the United States fully support the provisions of the National Guard Empowerment Act of 2007 to empower the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and enhance the functions of the National Guard Bureau.

SDNGEA RESOLUTION 2007-05

Pertaining to:  Family Service member’s Life Insurance (SGLI) is a program that covers spouse and children of a current Military member.

 Where as: SGLI currently covers $10,000.00 on dependent children of the service member.

 Where as:  the current cost of a funeral exceeds the amount that is currently issued by the SGLI coverage policy. 

Therefore, Be it resolved that the insurance amount of dependent children be raised from $10,000.00 to $25,000.00 at no additional cost to the service member.

SDNGEA RESOLUTION 2007-06

Pertaining to:  Relating to Tax Credit for Employers of National Guard members and for self-employed members. 

Whereas:  An estimated 41 percent of mobilized National Guard member face a reduction in pay while on active duty. Some employers have made up the difference in pay, and some have gone above and beyond, continuing to pay full salaries to mobilized employees.  But most employers, especially those self-employed, bear the increased financial burdens that increased National Guard deployments place on them. 

Whereas:  Offering tax credits to both employers and self-employed Guard members would reward these patriotic Americans and perhaps inspire greater generosity toward all members of the Guard in the workplace.   

Therefore, Be it resolved:  It is the recommendation of the South Dakota National Guard Enlisted Association that the United States Congress take action to provide various tax credits to employers of National Guard members and self-employed members of the National Guard.