Posted on Sep 6, 2014
National Guard Units Are Being Affected By Budget Shortfalls
26.8K
58
44
9
9
0
"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.
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.
Posted in these groups: 
Training
Command Post
Training Command Post
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 16
7
7
0
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.
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.
(7)
(0)
7
7
0
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?
(7)
(0)
Sgt Packy Flickinger
1LT(P) (Join to see) It was meant to be sarcastic about the amount of money we waste on other things as opposed to important things. Its not about an arguement but rather a joke.
That being said if youre going to quote me, I never said anything about presidential protection. "Border security" still falls under the "aid to illegals" comment since in this day and age, they are the same thing. Help any?
The deficit number is matter of public record.
That being said if youre going to quote me, I never said anything about presidential protection. "Border security" still falls under the "aid to illegals" comment since in this day and age, they are the same thing. Help any?
The deficit number is matter of public record.
(0)
(0)
PO2 Floyd Fowler
1LT(P) (Join to see) - (You) forgot the lack there of didn't you? Yes, where does this money allocated for border security really go... If you can't account for where the money actually is then don't assume nothing... And how about you do a little research for you self... Unfortunately Sir, Your wonderful president is the most wasteful in history.
(0)
(0)
SPC Bobby Coble
1LT(P) (Join to see) - With all due respect Sir, I disagree. Have you ever seen the expenses incurred when the president travels anywhere? Those costs are enormous, because everything they use, the ship with them. Food, Fuel, everything, then there is the housing of all the staff and security personal who have to stay somewhere other than their own homes. Not to mention the upheaval thrust upon the local area in the form of road closures, extra security, etc.
(0)
(0)
5
5
0
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.
(5)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
SGT Jinger Jarrett, yep. Mine are 90 miles. I've watched cars sliding off the road on the way to drill. Pretty dangerous. Definitely not my idea of fun, either!
(1)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
But then again have a few units that are deploying so we have Fed money coming in.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google