NH Congressional Delagation Emphasizes Importance of State in Setting Army National Guard Troop Levels
NH CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION EMPHASIZES IMPORTANCE OF STATES IN SETTING ARMY NATIONAL GUARD TROOP LEVELS
Gregg, Sununu, Bass, Bradley call on Army Secretary to work with
nation's governors, Adjutant Generals in developing plans for
Army National Guard's future
01/31/06
(Washington, D.C.)--In a letter to Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey, U.S. Senators Judd Gregg and John Sununu (R-NH) and U.S. Representatives Charles Bass and Jeb Bradley (R-NH) highlight the importance of the nation's governors and Adjutant Generals in developing plans for the Army National Guard's future. The delegation members wrote in response to reports that the Army has developed a force structure plan for the Army National Guard without direct input from governors and Adjutant Generals.
The text of the letter follows:
January 27, 2006
The Honorable Francis J. Harvey
Secretary of the Army
101 Army Pentagon
Room 3E718
Washington, D.C. 20310-0101
Dear Mr. Secretary,
We write regarding recent reports that the Army plans to reduce the end strength of the Army National Guard. Although we recognize the importance of the Army's ongoing transformation, we are concerned that such plans were devised without direct input from the nation's governors.
Throughout our country's history, our federal armed forces have cooperated with each of the states to train, equip, and maintain National Guard forces. This joint venture has resulted in the creation of a force well rooted in our local communities, equally capable of supporting civilian authorities during domestic emergencies or deploying alongside active duty forces in combat overseas.
As the Army considers transformational options for the Army National Guard, we urge you to include the governors and Adjutant Generals of the states and territories in the formulation and implementation of any proposals. Additionally, we respectfully request that you provide us with information on any plans to restructure the Army National Guard at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Judd Gregg
United States Senator
John Sununu
United States Senator
Charles F. Bass
Member of Congress
Jeb Bradley
Member of Congress
cc: The Honorable Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense
http://www.house.gov/bradley/20060131_main.html