Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Many who attended the 128th NGAUS General Conference in September may have come away thinking that Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honor advocates a "bedknobs and broomsticks" equipped National Guard. But that's not the case.

During his speech to the conference's Army Separate Session, the First Army commander asked every state to send mobilizing units with their equipment. That way they would have something with which to train, even though that equipment won't deploy overseas. First Army Mobilization Centers don't have equipment to use for unit training.

He promised to return the equipment in fully mission-capable status when the unit deploys.

In the interim, General Honoré recommended that we cut wood and use that as substitute equipment. He challenged us as leaders to ask our troops to accept these temporary replacements. I applaud the general for bringing that message to the front line of those impacted and for using such an interesting briefing aid-a broomstick handle.

Such training aids weren't acceptable to the Guard when we were a strategic reserve. Any they are no less so for today's operational National Guard, which now has approximately 32 percent of its required equipment across the nation.

But General Honoré was only providing a solution to a problem. The shame is on Congress for not providing adequate money to train and equip all of our military forces based on today's policies abroad. Even active-compnent troops are working with significant equipment shortages. Some have as little as 25 percent of their requirement.

Congress must fully fund equipment shortages in the National Guard, Reserve and active force. And the services must receive the same training when serving in any operational arena-abroad in Iraq and Afghanistan or at home for defense support of civil authorities.

It shouldn't be necessary for our senior military leaders to solve this problem by making do with broomsticks in place of weapons or equipment. Gen. George Washington knew it was wrong in 1776, and it's wrong today.

How to Reach Us

MAIL CALL

* Our e-mail address is magazlne@ngaus.org

* Our fax number is (202) 682-9358

* Or you can mail your submission to: NATIONAL GUARD Magazine Mail Call, One Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

* Letters should be short (250 words or less) and include name and state National Guard affiliation

* We reserve the right to edit letters for tone, length, clarity and factual accuracy

SUBMISSIONS

* Articles and photos for consideration can be e-mailed to magazine@ngaus.org

* Submissions can also be mailed to NATIONAL GUARD Magazine, One Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

* Materials will be returned if requested

* Magazine offices can be reached by phone at (202) 789-0031

CHANGE OF ADDRESSES

* Change of addresses should be submitted to the NGAUS Membership Department:

E-mail: members@ngaus.org

Telephone: (202) 789-0031 Fax: (202) 682-9358

© 2006 National Guard Association of the United States Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.