NGAUS Update 2007

1. NGAUS Update2007 Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

2. “For 128years, the National Guard Association has been fighting for the citizen-soldiers who fight for America.” — President George W. Bush, Feb. 9, 2006 Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

3. Objectives • Educate the Public • Resource the National Guard • Work with State Associations • Maintain a Library and Museum • Encourage Membership Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

4. Organization • Board of Directors • Full Time Staff • Committees • Legislative Process Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

5. Board of Directors • Chairman – MG R. Martin Umbarger • VP Air – Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress • VP Army – BG Norman E. Arflack • President – Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Stephen Koper • Treasurer – Brig. Gen. Ken Ross • Secretary – COL. Al Faber • Immediate Past President – BG (Ret.) Robert V. Taylor • Three Directors from each of 6 NGAUS Areas • An Adjutant General & Air and Army Officer • Two Company Grade Officers - Army and Air • One Warrant Officer • Two Retired Officers - Army and Air Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

6. Full Time Staff • President – Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Stephen Koper • Chief of Staff – LTC Wayne Hunt • Directors • Legislative Staff – Richard Green • Membership/Benefits – Ron Sutton • Communications – John Goheen • National Guard Education Foundation – Jason Hall • Industry Liaison – Hazell Booker • Finance – Pam Buckler • Total Full Time Employees - 28 Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

7. Committees • Standing committees • Audit • Awards • By-Laws • Company Grade Issues • Finance • Membership • Warrant Officer issues • General Conference Committees • Credentials and Rules • Nominations • Resolutions Committee • Special Committees • Task Forces Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

8. Legislative Staff • Richard Green – Director • Pete Duffy – Deputy/Joint Programs • Emily Breitbach - Air Programs • Chris DeBatt – Army Programs • Bernie Phelps – Senior Analyst • Analyst - Vacant Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

9. Focused Lobby Techniques Legislative Strategy • Strengthening the Bonds • NGAUS, NGB, EANGUS, AGAUS, Industry, Congressional Caucuses, and more – “Together we Succeed!” • Coordinating the message & connecting the dots • Promoting the “Strategic” Issues & “Top” Priorities • How does it all “fit”; NGAUS – NGB - State - Industry • Working closely with Allies and Champions in Congress • Legislation sponsors/co-sponsors pave the way • National Guard Caucuses – outstanding support! • New Military Legislative Assistants (MLA) and Professional Staff • Energizing the “Grass Roots” • We are only “scratching the surface” of our potential influence! • A continuous focus & critical element for success • Attending state conferences; spreading the word • Facilitating “Hill” visits – National Guard Memorial Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

10. Legislative Process House Hearings Sub- committee Mark-up Committee Mark-up Floor Vote Floor Vote Conference Committee President Signs Senate Hearings Sub- committee Mark-up Committee Mark-up Floor Vote Floor Vote Feb - Apr May Jun Jul -Aug Sep October 1 Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

11. Improved Communications • Web Site • Lots of information – it’s all there! • Legislative Alerts – timely and focused • Weekly review & updates • Email Contacts • The addresses we know (BoD, TAG’s, ED’s, etc.) • The addresses we need - our members! • Washington Update • Keeping our members informed • NGAUS Issues – New! • Monthly newsletter for members of Congress and their staff • LEGIT • Electronic and Blackberry versions • NGAUS 101 Series of Informative Handouts • What has NGAUS done for me lately? • Legislative Process, Resolutions, Task Forces, etc. • Will be posted on the web Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

12. Resolutions Cycle Jan Draft Resolutions distributed to the states Jan - Jun State associations pass resolutions packages at their state conference and forward to NGAUS Jun - Jul Resolutions are reviewed by NGB, task forces and NGAUS Board of Directors Sep Resolutions are considered at NGAUS General Conference for adoption Oct – Dec NGAUS staff prepares Legislative Objectives; task forces prioritize resolutions Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

13. Resolutions Organization Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

14. Resolutions Documents • Resolutions • Driving force behind NGAUS legislative agenda • May be policy or equipment related • Become our member’s voice on items of importance and “marching orders” for legislative staff • Prioritized by task forces & BoD • Outlined in “Legislative Objectives” booklet • Fact Sheets • Developed with task forces, NGB and industry to support resolutions • Provides the details; how much/how many • Directed to members of Congress • Included in “Red Book” Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

15. Task Forces • Composition • Chairman/Vice Chair • Six NGAUS Area Representatives • Professional Staffers (industry, NGB, etc.) • Objectives • Help prepare draft resolutions for distribution to the states based on validated issues • Comment on resolutions received from states prior to and at NGAUS general conference • Prioritizes resolutions adopted at NGAUS conference and develops legislative fact sheets Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

16. Task Forces NGAUS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD MG R. Martin Umbarger (IN) NGAUS PRESIDENT Brig Gen (Ret) Stephen Koper NGAUS VC - ARMY BG Norman Arflack (KY) NGAUS VC - AIR Maj Gen David B. Poythress (GA) AVIATION COL Chris Latchford (PA) FIRE SUPPORT BG (Ret) Sykorah (SD) COMBAT VEHICLE MG (Ret) Wesley Craig (PA) FIGHTER Brig Gen Michael Brandt (MO) AIRLIFT/TANKER Col William Reddel (NH) C4I Col Ed Hull (PA) ENGINEER MG King Sidwell (MO) C4I BG Henry McCann (DE) CS/CSS COL M. Washburn (IN) PERSONNEL/BENEFITS COL Steve Joyce (GA) MEDICAL Col Peter Bickel (OH) Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

17. Highlights of FY07 Defense Acts • TRICARE!!! - after 7 years, we achieved our goal! • Retained 350,000 ARNG end-strength • A variety of equipment earmarks; NGREA ARNG $575M – ANG $75M; $2.9B in equipment reset • Authorizes Title 32 AGR & technicians; training and operational missions • MILCON: ARNG - $561M, ANG $294M • Empowerment - Referred to CNGR Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

18. Top Strategic Issue Empowerment • Lack of Empowerment - The “Root” Problem • Symptoms include BRAC 2005 & QDR 2006 • National Guard leaders were either restricted by “non-disclosure” or “caught by surprise” – but were not “in the huddle” or “at the table” • DOD doesn’t seem inclined to change their methods; method of doing business appears to be changing under Secretary Gates • The Solution - Legislate Empowerment • 2006 - National Defense Enhancement and National Guard Empowerment Act of 2006 introduced by Senator’s Leahy and Bond as S.2658 & Rep’s Taylor & Davis as H.R.5200 • DoD and Administration vigorously opposed several provisions of the legislation and DoD “denied” that a problem even exists during congressional hearings • FY07 Defense Authorization Act referred issue to CNGR with a “Report Back” date of 1 Mar 07 • 2007 – National Guard Empowerment Act of 2007; S.430/H.R.718 (same sponsors) • 1 March – CNGR presented Empowerment Report; A step forward but not at the table quite yet! Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

19. FY08 “Strategic” Issues • Empowerment; S.430/H.R.718 • The CNGR report gives us “momentum” for follow up legislation (23/8) • National Guard Caucuses keeping the pressure on! • Force Structure and Missions • OK this year; BCT restructuring a state issue; status of ANG personnel cuts/TFI • Reset & Modernization; S.756 - Sen. Dodd $38 Billion over next 5 years • We made progress in the FY07; need to keep the heat on! • Defense budget; a function of Gross Domestic Product (GDP); below 4%; needs to go up! • Mobilization Process • The recent announcement of a 12 month mobilization is good; “devil is in the details!” • Tied closely to full-time manning • Full-time Manning • Critical for administrative, training and readiness; necessary to implement new 12 month mobilization; validate GWOT requirements; need 100% NOW! • Reduced Age Retirement; S.548/ H.R.690 & 1428 (Latham) • A popular issue; we’re coordinating our efforts; we need strong constituent support! • Goal this year; Senate and House come together on legislation that can pass (foot in the door); it may not be “exactly” what we want Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

20. FY08 “Strategic” Issues • Montgomery G.I. Bill; S.644/H.R.1102 • AD & RC under different statutes (Title 38/Title 10); disparity and unfairness; movement to restructure RC under Title 38, then fix disparity • MILCON; TAGS working this issue • $3.1M dropped from Continuing Resolution; we can’t allow the NG program to be used as a “bill payer” for BRAC; • Repeal of Insurrection Act Changes PL 109-364; S.513/ H.R.869 • Erodes authority of governors; should be rescinded • This issue “slipped by” last year; strong support for repeal this year • TRICARE; S.604/ H.R.579 • Program approved in FY07 Defense Authorization will begin 1 Oct • DoD cut $1.8B from TRICARE; non-specified fee increases; DoD waiting for Future of Military Health Care Task Force report in May • NGAUS is opposing fee increases for “gray area” (under 65) retiree’s • Bills introduced by Congress to oppose fee increases; Sen’s Lautenberg/Hagel and Rep’s Edwards/Jones • Concurrent Receipt; H.R.303 & 333/S.439 • Full retirement benefit PLUS disability • Changes to laws governing this look good Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

21. Joint Priorities • Fully fund each Uniformed Services University Health Sciences Center (USHUS) for the study of traumatic stress, disaster and humanitarian assistance, and casualty care research • Reduction in retirement age • Review of the mobilization process • Full-time manning for ARNG and ANG • Increased funding to properly equip and train National Guard for medical response to WMD and HLD & HLS Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

22. ARNG Priorities • Leave Behind Equipment • UH-60 & CH-47 Helicopters • 3 Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) of M2A3 & M1A1 tanks (6 BCT already in the POM) • Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) & Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV) (including all variants) • High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

23. ANG Priorities • A-10 Satellite Communications (SATCOM) • C-130 Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) • F-15C/D Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar • F-16 Secure Satellite Communications • Mobile Approach Control System Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

24. BROUGHT TO YOU BY OUR ASSOCIATIONS What Have “Our” Associations Done for us Lately? • “Just about Everything”…from funding and equipment, to pay, benefits and quality of life initiatives • Since 1878, NGAUS has been the voice on Capitol Hill for the National Guard • While a specific piece of equipment or benefit doesn’t come with a label, I can assure you that most everything we have was impacted by a combined effort that includes “our” associations Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

25. To Succeed…”We” Need to… • Focus on the most important issues – both strategic and tactical • Coordinate our efforts with state associations, TAGS, governors, NGB, Congress, industry, etc. • Communicate the “Guard” story; our strengths, capabilities and needs - a clear and consistent message • Improve membership and keep them informed; web site, LEGIT, NGAUS Notes, Issues, National Guard magazine, etc. • Energize our members to participate in the political process; Command emphasis, “Write to Congress” , visits to the Hill, task forces, etc. • Together…We “Will” Succeed! Transforming Resolutions into Reality!

26. Questions? Our “future” is in the hands of all of us…working together to ensure a strong and viable National Guard Transforming Resolutions into Reality!