Missouri National Guard at 100% strength; active duty forces need more support
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by Congressman Sam Graves
In the supplemental budget appropriations bill voted on last week. There was a solemn reminder of the dangers our military service members face. In the budget, we appropriated $44 million to repair the USS Cole which was attacked by terrorists during its refueling in Yemen last year. The terrorist attack killed 17 sailors and wounded 39. Regardless of the time or place that our men and women serve, the dangers are real.
Our own Missouri National Guard, with hometown armories across the 6th District, is currently at 100% strength with more than, 8,230 soldiers and 2,624 airmen. These men and women spend one weekend a month and two weeks a year supporting our active duty force structure and insuring that our nation’s military is ready and able to meet the challenges of a changing world.
For instance, 110 Military Police Guard members will be activated this fall for a 6-month deployment in Kosovo. Additionally, Missouri Guard engineers will lead a mission to Alaska creating a new road and ferry to connect the mainland and Annette Island. Their commitment to our country coupled with the patience of the employers allows our nation’s forces to be more flexible and responsive to world threats and conditions.
Despite the increased dependence on our reserve forces, our active duty forces are not receiving the funding and training they deserve. Currently, over 5,100 military families are on food stamps and thousands of families live in inadequate housing units on military bases worldwide. I have made it a priority to increase military pay and improve housing and living conditions on our military installations. This year’s budget includes a $5.7 billion increase in funding for our military personnel including a $1.4 billion, 7% increase in pay and a $400 million increase in funding for housing.
I am equally concerned about the increasing operational tempo and number of military deployments. Between 1960 and 1991, the Army conducted 10 operations. Yet, between 1992 and 1998 the Army’s number increased to 26. Additionally, from 1982 to 1989, the Marines conducted 15 contingency operations. Since 1989, the Marines have conducted 62 contingency operations. With an active force that is approximately half the size it was during the Gulf War, these additional deployments are putting increased strain on military families and the morale of our armed forces.
President Bush has ordered the Secretary of Defense to conduct a comprehensive military review to analyze the state of our military strategy, the structure of our forces, and the priorities of our budget. I agree with the President. The military of our future must be lethal, agile and easier to deploy.