Members of the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves, who recently released a report on the status of the National Guard and Reserve and recommendations for the future of those organizations, testified today before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Senator Collins, who is a Member of the Committee, questioned commission members about the role of the National Guard and Reserves in national emergencies, and she reiterated her concern that Guard and Reserve troops are being over utilized by the Department of Defense in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Among other major findings, the report acknowledged that over utilization of the Guard and Reserve is putting strain on our troops and hindering efforts to recruit and retain members.
Senator Collins told Commission members that their report addresses many important issues ranging from problems associated with recruitment and retention efforts and the role of the Guard and Reserves in homeland security. But most importantly, the report addresses the over utilization of our Guard and Reserves in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I am proud of the role that our National Guard and Reserves plays in our total force structure, but the over utilization of the Guard and Reserves is putting too much stress and strain on members, their families, and their employees. Furthermore, repeated deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan have lessened the ability of the Guard and Reserves to be prepared to respond to a major disaster,” said Senator Collins.
Witnesses who testified today included the Chairman of the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves, Major General Arnold L. Punaro, and Commissioners; the Honorable William L. Ball III, Patricia Lewis; and Major General Gordon Stump.