OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Bridging the Pay Gap for Citizen-Soldiers Will Help National Guard Meet Its Personnel Needs

Statement

Date: Dec. 17, 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Military Personnel

In response to today's reports that the National Guard will fail to meet its recruiting goals by as much as 30 percent, Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA) issued the following statement:

"While numerous factors have contributed to the failure of the Army National Guard to meet its recruiting goals, a leading cause is the economic hardship imposed on many members of the National Guard. Legislation that I will reintroduce early in the 109th Congress will shore up recruitment and retention by eliminating disparities between one's civilian and activated military pay.

"As the head of the National Guard bureau. Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum pointed out, a major factor in this recruitment failure stems from the sharp reduction in the number of active duty soldiers joining the National Guard after leaving active duty. Clearly, these soldiers are aware of the pay problems National Guard soldiers are facing."


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