Legislative Update 09/29/04

• 
  Presidential Announced MGIB Benefits upgrade
• FY05 National Defense Authorization Act
• Reserve Talking Points – for you to use, from the Rocky Mountain Chapter
• Navy plans for CAG 20
• Write your Congressional member – TODAY

Details:

• Reserve MGIB improvements. The President announced, at the VFW convention this summer, enhanced educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) for Guard and Reserve servicemembers called to active duty for 90 days or more.The administration plans to send enabling legislation to Congress.The proposal would raise Guard - Reserve Montgomery GI Bill benefits under Chapter 1606 of Title 10 proportional to Chapter 30 active duty rates for  reservists who serve: 
   
• 90 days but less than one year of continuous duty: 40% (or $402 for a full time student)
• 0ne year but less than two years of continuous duty: 60% (or $602 for a full time student)
• Two years or more of continuous duty: 80% (or $803 for a full time student)  

The third tier of the proposal -- 80% of active duty (Chapter 30) MGIB rates for two years active duty -   appears to be contrary to current policy in that reservists who now serve two continuous years active duty may be enrolled in Title 10, Chap. 30.  It's not clear whether the administration's proposal is limited only to Chap. 1606 proportionality for active duty served.  If that's the case, one issue would be de-conflicting Chapter 30 and Chap 1606 at the two year active duty mark.

In addition, tier three of the proposal is not as advantageous as S. 2100 (Sen. DeWine and Sen. Zell Miller).  S.2100 would authorize full Chapter 30 benefits to any reservist who aggregates 24 mos. active duty since Sep. 11, 2001.   Moreover, the Senators' S.2099 would restore Chapter 1606 to 47% parity over a three year period.   H.R. 4188 in the House (Rep. LoBiondo) is similar to S. 2100 / S.2099.  In terms of the goal of restoring and sustaining Guard and Reserve MGIB benefits at the historic benchmark of 47% of active duty MGIB rates, two of the three proposals head in the right direction, though the proportional increases would apply only to active duty time served of 90 days or more.  In other words, the proposal would not restore Chapter 1606 benefit levels for reserve service alone.  The NRA supports, along with members of The Military Coalition restoring Reserve MGIB proportionality to the 47% benchmark, supports getting this benefit (Chap. 1606) transferred from Title 10 to Title 38.  This transfer is viewed more as a "total force" approach to the MGIB.

• FY05 National Defense Authorization Act (S 2400, HR 4200). www.navy-reserve.org.  HASC-SASC will conference soon, you need to act now!Now would be a great time for you, your family, and friends to write your Congressional representative – House and Senate, to let them know how you feel about the issues. Current plans and efforts from the Navy for transformation (still not clear – see GAO report - http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-04-900) calls for decommissioning more Naval Reserve hardware units, and cutting up to 15,000 billets.Yet, there has not been a plan to show exactly what the vision is, and how remaining members will get to train on active duty equipment, nor how the ‘active-reserve culture will be integrated.Homeland Security is not addressed by Navy, but has recently been addressed by ASD – HLS office. Current provisions in the FY05 NDAA would allow changes in Naval Reserve name, training methods, NR personnel cuts that facilitate further reductions in the Navy Reserve Component.This will reportedly facilitate integration.These ‘transformational’ changes are said to address the unknown future, but allow for ‘predictable and periodic’ use of the Reserve component – with the Naval Reserve – that really means no hardware, and less units.How can an unknown future be predictable and periodic? 
   
• Other pending issues: SBP, TRICARE for Guard and Reserve, NR Force cuts, name change, Commission on Guard and Reserve, Reserve Retirement at 55: These issues are still hot items.Reserve Retirement at 55 is NOT being considered in this FY 05 NDAA bill.At this writing, HASC – SASC are starting to show signs (finally) of moving towards conference on the House and Senate Bills (HR 4200 & SR 2400).You can make the difference, but sending an e-mail, or calling, or faxing your opinions to your Congressional representatives and Senators now. See www.navy-reserve.org for the matrix of pending changes in the FY 05 NDAA.
• Many associations and many concerned citizens at this time believe that the only way to resolve integration issues and transformational issues for the Guard and Reserve is through a Commission on the Guard and Reserve, with an independent Review.   Please support S2400, section 902 & section 186! 
   
• Reserve Force Talking Points for you to use with your Representatives, or when needed.These points were developed by our Rocky Mountain Chapter, and I think they are well worth passing along.Providing these to the staffs of your Representatives in Washington, local districts, or communities, may help them to have a better understanding of our Naval Reserve Force.                                                                             

THE UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE 

• UNIQUENESS OF NAVAL RESERVE
  • The Naval Reserve is composed primarily of former service members (26,000 officer and 60,000 enlisted) who have served extensive time on active duty.Most come into the Reserve after 3, 4, or more years of active duty, where they received extensive training and experience.
  • This makes the Naval Reserve made up almost entirely of Sailors who, after completing their active duty obligations, voluntarily join the Naval Reserve and participate by drilling as a minimum on the week-ends or at other times of the month and going on active duty, usually with their active duty gaining command. 
     
• A TRAINED AND REAL WORLD EXPERIENCED RESERVE COMPONENT
  • Because of their experience, the dollars expended training these volunteer Naval Reservists is not lost when they leave active duty.The perishable skills are maintained, even enhanced, through their Naval Reserve participation.An example of this great savings is exemplified, in the cost of training a Naval Aviator – approximately $1.2 million.If his/her effective Navy flying time is 5 years, and then is lost by his/her leaving active duty, that $1.2 million must be re-spent on his/her replacement, the annual cost to the taxpayers of some $240,000.If, however, that Naval Aviator becomes part of the Naval Reserve and has the opportunity to stay current in his flying skills, and serves another 10 years in the Naval Reserve in a flying billet, that $1.2 million training cost can now be apportioned out over 10 to 12 years.This experienced aviator also provides the Navy with an effective surge capability that is available immediately in case of need.Otherwise, the training pipeline takes some 24 months to develop a replacement pilot.
  • This example is applicable to practically every officer and enlisted in the Naval Reserve.Furthermore, many in the Naval Reserve enhance their worth and efficiency to the Navy by working and pursuing higher education in their civilian life.Many continue their education.Many receive additional training/experience from their civilian jobs, all at no cost to the Navy. 
     
• THE COSTS OF THE NAVAL RESERVE MAKE IT OUR MILITARY’S MOST COST EFFECTIVE BUY
  • Approximately 47% of our country’s military personnel are in the Reserve and National Guard.Out of the Department of Defense’s budget, approximately 8% is spent on the Reserve and National Guard.It is estimated that one active duty person costs our country about the same as 5 Reservists.When one takes in the long term cost of retirement benefits, this ratio goes even higher (basically active duty personnel who retire starting after serving 20 years, receive 50% of their base pay for life.This means that an active duty retiree will receive that 50% of basic pay for any average of 35 years or more.The Reservist after serving at least 20 years on active duty and the Naval Reserve receives no retirement pay currently until he/she reaches 60, and then receives only a smaller portion of what his active duty base pay was.This amounts often to the active duty retirement pay requirement being 30 times or more greater than the Naval Reservist retirement pay.
  • Of the 85,900 currently in the Naval Reserve, approximately 25,000 have recently been mobilized.At the present time, 3900 Naval Reservists are mobilized on active duty with 26,000 on orders in support of Active duty operational mission - this week (drilling, many with their gaining commands), and over 6100 on their two week (or longer) active duty requirement.The best example of cost effectiveness is the utilization of the Naval Reserve Intelligence by the active duty.Over 4,000 drilling Naval Reserve Intelligence specialists provide the great bulk of actionable operational intelligence to the fleet today.
  • These 26,000 sailors, once they return to their civilian world (after their weekend or active duty), do not require the maintenance and support their active duty counterparts do.Once back in the civilian world, no need for permanent housing to be provided, no need for medical care, no need for child care, or emergency leave, etc.All of these factors are what makes the Naval Reserve such a cost-effective buy for our country. 
     
• NAVAL RESERVE PROVIDES THE NAVY’S ONLY REAL SURGE CAPABILITY
  • Should our Navy at any point of time require a surge capability worldwide or for specific conflicts, a trained (to current fleet procedures and equipment), experienced, and immediately mobilizable Naval Reserve is the only answer.While the Active Duty can get its current equipment (ships and planes) into a readiness status faster, it is still limited to those existing ships, planes and personnel.And with the training pipeline for so many of today’s technician sailors being months, often many months, there are no immediate replacements if needed.For example, what if a rogue country is able to set off two nuclear explosions in San Diego and Norfolk, killing thousands of sailors and dismantling most of the Navy ships there.A response to this rogue nation must be mounted immediately.Where will we get the trained replacements?The shore establishment can provide some, but many of the most trained were in those two cities.So it will be the Naval Reserve, trained to today’s standards, immediately mobilized, and with years of active duty experience to rely upon, that will be needed.
  • Historically, the major purpose of a country having a Reserve Force was to provide this surge capability.While the nature of warfare is constantly changing, one principle does not change.The country that maintains a viable and effective surge capability has a distinct advantage should the need arise for any conflict. 
     
• THE NAVY TODAY IS UNDERTAKING INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE THE INTEGRATION OF THE ACTIVE AND RESERVE COMPONENTS OF THE NAVY IN PEACETIME AND WARTIME OPERTIONS.AN OUTSIDE, INDEPENDENT AND OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT NEEDS TO BE MADE OF THESE INITIATIVES BEFORE THEY ARE IMPLEMENTED
  • Senate Bill 2400 provides for this. H.R.4200 has GAO reviewing it again in FY 05.It is important to note that GAO recently found that those who conducted several studies on which these future integration plans are to be based have been unable to set forth the criteria used in such studies.While no one is questioning the good intentions and the sincerity of the effort for another integration plan, it is somewhat like asking the fox to count the chickens in the hen house.An outside, independent review would remove this specter and provide a completely unbiased review.Submitted by Rocky Mountain Chapter, Naval Reserve Association, Dick Young, RADM, USNR (Ret), Rocky Mountain President. 
     
• Navy plans for CAG 20, an example of integration! Recently, Senator Miller (GA) requested Navy plans for CAG 20, and movement of E-2s into NAS Atlanta.Not your worry, if you are not in that state or community, right?Think again.Quotes from the letter, “If (CAG 20) were in a mobilized status and properly resources with fleet compatible equipment, CVWR 20 would provide a significant surge capability and also reduce the burden on the active component Wings during reset and reconstitution.”“The Department has conducted several comprehensive studies of how to optimally balance the Active/Reserve force mix to maximize the Navy’s war fighting mission capabilities.”The letter can be reviewed at http://www.navy-reserve.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1964. Before you make up your mind, read the GAO report at http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-04-900, the letter, and then consider this:
• GAO indicates no clear OPNAV data exist in determining which squadrons/units to decommission
• OEF/OIF Deployments and Mobilizations of Intel, Medical, Seabees, NCW, Expeditionary Support, etc.
• Proven availability of Naval Reserve members for surge, and their efficiency and effectiveness
• VFA-201 deployment for OIF
• HCS-4 and 5 continuous deployment since the beginning of OIF
• What constitutes – properly resourced, and who is responsible for that resourcing?
• What has been the impediment to more mobilizations of Naval Reserve units or individuals?
• What is efficient, effective – surge capability?
• Has comprehensive studies been shown to GAO, Congress, or anyone outside the Department?
• What is the National Security Strategy, and Homeland Security Strategy during this changing threat environment?  
• We strongly urge you to write or contact your Congressman or Senator on any of the above issues.Under current conditions e-mails or faxing is the best way to get your opinion to your Congressional member.

NOTE:   Contact your representative, as a citizen; please remember to not use government time or equipment!

Find your members in the House at – www.house.gov/writerep   – e-mails and fax numbers are listed on home pages

Find your members in the Senate at – www.senate.gov– e-mails and fax numbers are listed on home pages

Example for e-mail or fax letter:

  To a Senator:                                                             To a Representative
The Honorable (full name)                                             The Honorable (full name)
United States Senate                                                   House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20510                        (OR)                  Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Senator (last name)                                   Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms (Name)                                

I request that you support the FY 05 NDAA provision that provides; for (your issue, or issues discussed above)

Or, I do not support provisions in the NDAA……, and request that you investigate integration plans that decrease efficient, affordable, and effective Naval Reserve units and personnel. 

Very respectfully,

(Your Name),
(Your address)

Research legislation at http://thomas.loc.gov or www.navy-reserve.org

Feel free to forward this e-mail.   For those of you who receive this and you are not already a member, please consider joining the Naval Reserve Association.  Check us out at: www.navy-reserve.org or call on our toll free number 866-672-4968.