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Mr. Chairman and Members of the Sub-Committee:
Thank you very much for the opportunity to appear and give a brief statement.
The Reserve Components of our Armed Forces – the Reserves of each service and the National Guard - have performed magnificently in the Global War on Terrorism. Over 500,000 men and women have left their schools and work places to serve in combat. Some have made the ultimate sacrifice. The families, friends and employers of these citizen warriors have also sacrificed.
The contributions of the Reserve Component have enabled our nation to conduct the first extended war to be fought with an “all volunteer force.”
When the concept of an all-volunteer force was originated in the 1970s, it was considered a peacetime solution. Most believed that an extended war would force the Nation to return to the draft.
Instead, no draft has been necessary because the Reserve Components have surged forward – ready, willing and able – to augment and reinforce the active component with combat effective units and individuals who brought the all-volunteer active force to full strength.
In a very real sense, the Reserve Components have saved the country from a draft.
The Reserve Component that has surged in the past five years was not formed after 9/11/2001. It was formed in the 1990s based on the investment made by the Congress and by the dedication of its leaders – both active and reserve. It was not a perfect force, and the harsh crucible of war has shown gaps in our preparations, as war always does. But the Reserve Component was essentially ready, and it was populated by great and dedicated Americans.
The condition of the Reserve and Guard today is different than it was five years ago. In some ways it is better. Almost ever leader is a combat tested veteran. Experience and confidence abound in every unit.
In other ways, however, the condition is worse. Equipment has been destroyed, worn out or left overseas. Financial resources are stressed. Although every Defense leader recognizes the need to “re-set the force,” my concern is that we are not putting sufficient resources toward the challenge of “re-setting” the Reserve Force. I see a number of ominous signs:
• Funding for Reserve training has been cut.
• Aviation units of several services are transferring aircraft from Reserve squadrons to active duty squadrons and de-commissioning Reserve units that have flown in combat, or reducing them to cadre status.
• There is a wide spread lack of equipment needed for homeland security and consequence management missions – particularly vehicles and engineering equipment.
• There continues to be an appalling lack of modern, inter-operable communications equipment. This was a problem before the start of the current conflict and the situation appears to have worsened.
The rationale for these conditions is that current operations must be funded first and “the Reserves will just have to wait - take a few years off and rest up.”
That approach is fatally flawed. The caliber of men and women serving in the Reserve Components today are not likely to sit around an empty armory or training center and twiddle their thumbs. They expect to train, and to do so with the same equipment they have used in combat. They have made a “first-string” contribution, and expect to do so again. If they perceive that is not what the Nation wants, these talented people will move on to other things.
History teaches us a valuable lesson. At the end of the Korean War, just about everyone in the Guard and Reserve was a combat tested veteran. The capability of the Reserve Components was at its high water mark. Ten or so years later – years in which the Country made no significant investment in its Guard and Reserve – those same units were in very poor shape. The Country lacked confidence, called them “week-end warriors,” and used a draft to fill out the active forces.
If we don’t “re-set the force,” starting now, we will begin the trip down that same road.
The next time the Nation needs its Guard and Reserve – whether at home or abroad – will they be the combat capable Citizen Warriors of 2006, or the next generation of “week-end warriors?”
Put another way – Will the Reserves be as ready for the next crisis as they were for this one?
If they are not, is the Nation ready for a draft?
I thank you all for your willingness to take action on these tough questions.
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