National Guard Units Are Being Affected By Budget Shortfalls

2014-09-06T11:24:14-04:00

"If you have to lose 18 pounds, you can change your diet and exercise, or simply cut off your head," asserted Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, a former National Guard Bureau Chief.

Homeland Defense’s Paul McHale, former Assistant Secretary of Defense, while speaking at the Heritage Foundation warned that, "It's very likely that 20,000 National Guard troops will be cut." McHale added that the Army will have to relocate some of its funding and support the National Guard with the shrinking budgets.

Both the retired officers believe extensive budget cuts like these would not only put the National Guard’s domestic readiness at risk but also the national security of the country.

The Army National Guard units from all 50 states and four territories are bearing the brunt of a budgetary shortfall of $101 million at a national level. Thousands of soldiers belonging to the Army of National Guards in Wisconsin State have had their trainings delayed, with their counterparts in Ohio and Delaware following closely.

The Delaware News Journal quotes Delaware’s top officer, Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala: “September training has been called off for the state’s soldiers to make up for the sins of others.”

With more troops stationed at home, this situation has further strained the budget. Captain John Fesler said the Guard's national shortfall came from fewer mobilizations and more training sessions than expected over the past year.

National Guard members are paid anywhere from $284 to $726 for a weekend of training, depending on their ranks and years of service. The decision to stall or cancel their trainings hurts them economically and disrupts in their social and family lives. These guards are technically used as reserve armed forces by the president and state governors to help deal with state emergencies like civil unrest or natural disasters and sometimes for military action.

As soon as Ohio Governor John Kasich declared a state of emergency in three of Ohio’s counties last month, the National Guard delivered clean drinking water and water purification systems. Similarly in Missouri, last month, after the killing of an unarmed black man by a white police officer, protests got out of hand. The Missouri Guard members were then called in to help deal with violent protesters and keep the situation under control.

According to National Guard Bureau, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, around 500,000 guard members have been sent on federal missions to date, including overseas combat duties as well.

Overall, the National Guard Bureau is looking to reprogram other available year-end funds.

If the Pentagon decides to cut funding in areas of equipment and facilities, then this would result in less-trained, less-equipped personnel and longer response periods. Congress has some tough decisions to make.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Sep 6 at 2014 12:18 PM

2014-09-06T12:18:36-04:00

My unit had to cancel/postpone our regular drill this weekend. This means cancelled ranges (which can't just easily be rescheduled) and training, and also since a lot of our unit members come from significant distances, just rescheduling the date is highly disruptive to achieving the mission. We'll of course adjust as best as we can, and realize that this is above even our State level, but this does seem like a very unfortunate situation.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2014 1:02 PM

2014-09-07T13:02:39-04:00

My ADOS orders(and everyone else's) were cut with an approx 7-10 day notice and now SEP drill has been pushed back to the end of the month and my be cancelled altogether.

Response by SN Kevin Townsend made Sep 7 at 2014 1:17 PM

2014-09-07T13:17:57-04:00

I've been wondering whats going on with the National Guard. My next door neighbor is Louisiana Army National Guard. Last month he had to go do his 2week annual training and it was cut short by a week. He told me, the Army didn't have the money to pay/feed them?! I wasn't quite clear about what he meant but I guess now I have an idea.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2014 2:58 PM

2014-09-07T14:58:39-04:00

I'm in Oklahoma. Drill was moved to end of month and from a MUTA 5 to a MUTA 4. We were scheduled to convoy for WTT and now it's a home station drill.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2014 9:19 PM

2014-09-07T21:19:01-04:00

I know here in Minnesota their training has been pushed back to the end of the month. Nothing has been cancelled... Yet.

Now, for the Iowa NG our drills have also been pushed back to the end of the month. But, only those who HAVE to complete the SRP due to theirs expiring will be attending drill that month.

I am on Title 10 ADOS via Cadet Command. There were possibilities of my orders being extended until I left for BOLC. Um... Not so much anymore. The budget cuts are affecting everyone even those who aren't in NG units.

Thankfully, I got an earlier BOLC date. But, we will see if the budget cuts affect the NG BOLC slots/dates.

Ooofta. Such a mess. I am thankful for being on orders. I receive a check either way. But there are many SM out there that do not have the luxury as I do for being on orders. Nor does everyone have a job period. Some kids in my unit travel over 3hrs to drill. Due to budget cuts there will be no reimbursement for hotels. (Usually up to $50 a weekend) unless you get decent MPGs your car eats up your entire drill check.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2014 10:17 PM

2014-09-07T22:17:52-04:00

I think it is asinine that the Guard is having to penny pinch and may not have money to pay for drills. First of all, its not like we don't know how much money we need to cover the drills for the year? But, really for all the the Guard does on the state and federal level it always seems like you all are getting the shaft. But lets wait until the next time there is an issue and how is going to get the phone call?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2014 10:12 AM

2014-09-08T10:12:52-04:00

I am in Texas and our drill was moved to the end of the month with possibility of cancellation or curtailing (I assume that this would be a cancellation of 1 or more UTAs).

Response by 1SG Frank Rocha made Sep 8 at 2014 9:38 PM

2014-09-08T21:38:04-04:00

My units drill was postponed to the end of the month. Most california units were cancelled for sep drill. I just got back from SLC and luckily I was able to finish it. we'll see how this turns out. should be interesting.

Response by LTC Ray B. (Ret) made Sep 29 at 2014 1:41 PM

2014-09-29T13:41:57-04:00

I am a Reservist and we are feeling it also. But on the brighter side the country is going to spend 500 million dollars to train rebels in Syria to fight Isis and Asad. Hmmmmm...how much did we spend in over 8 years training the Iraqi security forces and they cut and ran like bitches when Isis invaded and don't get me started on the Afghan Security forces issues. I wont even use the term Army to describe either element they don't rate.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Oct 30 at 2014 4:25 AM

2014-10-30T04:25:27-04:00

Funny how we never run out of money for aid to the illegals or the presidential vacation budget. Since the national average annual budget deficit is about a trillion a year and the funding for many projects have been cut back, where is the money going?

Response by MAJ Dallas D. made Oct 30 at 2014 9:54 AM

2014-10-30T09:54:47-04:00

Let's stop giving aid to the enemy and fund our units. It is sad to see this happening again. When we will learn from Task Force Smith?????

The often-used phrase "No more Task Force Smiths." This catchphrase is used to express a desire to avoid the perceived mistakes that lead to the defeat of Task Force Smith during the Korean War, July 1950. It deployed and was decimated by the North Korean advance. The defeat has generally been blamed on poor training, poor leadership and poor equipment.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Oct 30 at 2014 11:39 AM

2014-10-30T11:39:25-04:00

Budget cuts hurts the entire U.S. Armed Forces, it causes low pay raises, inadequet funds for proper training, purchasing or fixing equipment, bonuses, TDY or PCS Move, lowering numbers for reenlistment, and promotions.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Oct 30 at 2014 4:44 PM

2014-10-30T16:44:42-04:00

We have missed a drill at the end of the year two years running now. That affect my retirement, the welfare of my family, and most importantly the readiness of my unit and soldiers.

I do agree that the defense budget needs trimmed, but why must it be trimmed with benefits or personnel? Why not remove bloated and unnecessary contracts for tanks and helicopters that we do not need? Why not remove crony capitalism from the equation and sustain a well trained force?

If we go to war again, it will be much easier to manufacture and supply tanks and planes then effectively train and prepare troops for battle.

Response by SFC Eric Williams made Feb 15 at 2016 6:50 PM

2016-02-15T18:50:11-05:00

NG families, paying for The sins of others....another avenue to crippling a great nation. This could be step one of another govt shut down threat.
Voters really mead to send a message and clean both houses and start from scratch with our political players.....

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 14 at 2018 1:09 AM

2018-03-14T01:09:53-04:00

Thanks Big Army! You “say again”; we don’t need you, RIGHT NOW. !!!

Response by SSG Curtis Vaughn made Mar 14 at 2020 12:44 AM

2020-03-14T00:44:44-04:00

Does anyone think this is the money which was redirected from the Military budget for the Beautiful Wall