The Early Years
1903
The president signs the first of two Dick Acts. It replaces the 1792 Militia Act and transforms all militia units into the organized regiments of the National Guard. These units receive more funding and equipment but, in return, must conform to lederal standards for training and organization.
The act is named after its architect, Maj. Gen. Charles Dick of Ohio, a NGAUS president from 1902 to 1909 who also served terms in the U.S. House and Senate. Impact on the force is eventually so significant that General Dick is today considered the "father" of the modern Guard.
1908
The second Dick Act is enacted. It removes time and geographic limits to service and specifies that Guardsmen will go to war as units, not replacements. It also creates the Division of Militia Affairs within the War Department.
1915
The Continental Army Plan is defeated largely as a result of NGAUS opposition. It would have eliminated the Guard as a part of the federal military structure, leaving in its place an expandable Army based on reservists or volunteers.
1916
The National Defense Act guarantees the state militias' status as the Army's primary reserve force. It also mandates use of the term "National Guard."
In addition, the act gives the president authority, in the case of war or national emergency, to mobilize the Guard for the duration of the emergency. The number of yearly drills increases from 24 to 48 and annual training from five to 15 days. Finally, the act authorizes drill pay for the first time.
Between World Wars
1922
Despite strong War Department opposition, Congress establishes the National Guard Bureau with a Guardsman as its "chief." In addition, the Pay Readjustment Act provides Guardsmen with increased pay and quarters and subsistence allowances.
1933
An amendment to the National Defense Act streamlines the Guard's transition back and forth between state and federal status by creating a new entity, the National Guard of the United States (NGUS). Guardsmen are now simultaneously members of two separate but overlapping organizations: the Guard of their state and the NGUS.
The amendment has two significant impacts. First, it makes the Guard an Army component at all times, which means additional resources and easier mobilization for war.
Second, it automatically restores a Guardsman's state obligation after federal demobilization. That didn't happen after World War I when Guardsmen were permanently discharged from their state enlistments upon entering federal service.
1939
Public Law 96 provides retirement benefits for Guardsmen disabled or killed while on 30 or more days of active duty.
1940
The Selective Training and Service Act provides for the maintenance and integrity of Guard units and their use during national emergencies, prioritizing them over other reserve-component units.
World War II
Maj. Gen. Ellard A. Walsh, NGAUS president from 1928 to 1929 and from 1943 to 1957, helps defeat an Army and War Department plan to relegate the Guard to state-only role after the war. His speeches, articles, and letters to major newspapers and magazines expose the effort, which is undertaken while 18 Guard divisions fight overseas.
With a battle in Congress looming, the War Department and the Army, now with Guard input, change plans for the postwar military. The Guard retains its dual role with 27 infantry and armored divisions and 12 tactical air wings across more than 4,000 communities. In addition, a reluctant Army Air Force includes a Guard component in its designs for a separate post-war Air Force.
A chief architect of this new plan is Maj. Gen. Milton Reckord, a Maryland adjutant general active in NGAUS business who also served as provost marshal general in Europe in 1943.
The Walsh-Reckord Hall of States in The National Guard Memorial is named after the two generals.
Post-War Years
1945-49
A substantial amount of Guard-related legislation, much of it of great importance and all of it NGAUS influenced, passes in the wake of World War II.
Of special interest is Public Law 678, which provides for care and treatment of Guardsmen suffering injury or illness during training, and the Selective Service Act (1948), which exempts Guardsmen from the draft.
Congress enacts the provisions in lieu of universal military training (UMT), which has wide support from NGAUS and the War and Navy Departments.
UMT requires all physically fit 18-year-old men to serve eight years in the Guard or Reserve after an initial six-month active-duty training period. It boosts the Guard's end strength to 650,000 personnel. However, a nation tired of war rejects the concept.
In addition, Public Law 810 provides Guardsmen and Reservists their first comprehensive retirement benefits in 1948. The action stems from efforts initiated by NGAUS at the 66th General Conference in Baltimore four years earlier.
Guardsmen also receive death and disability benefits for incidents occurring duirng active-duty training periods of less than 30 days, or while on inactive training status.
NGAUS, with the help of Congress and the governors, beats back a proposal within the newly established Defense Department to fold the Army Guard into the Army Reserve.
1950
Congress approves the first armory construction bill. It provides federal funds amounting to 75 percent of the cost of new armories (states would acquire the land and pay 25 percent of the construction costs), and 100 percent of the cost of changes to federal force-structure changes.
1954
Public Law 477 culminates a long fight to obtain official active-duty status for U.S. Property and Fiscal Officers in every state. Public Law 676 relieves the states from liability for property loss or damage except in the case of negligence.
1956
Title III of Public Law 810 provides medical care to retired Guardsmen and their family members. Public Law 881 generally increases benefits for survivors of deceased Guardsmen.
1959
NGAUS helps defend a major Pentagon plan to reduce and reorganize the Army Guard. The issue ends in a compromise: The Army Guard loses nearly 900 company-sized units but Congress firmly fixes end strength at 400,000 personnel.
Lawmakers also grant national cemetery burial rights to Guardsmen who die during training; during travel to and from training; or while under treatment for injuries and illnesses contracted while training or traveling to or from training.
The Sixties
1960
Public Law 86-632 clarifies re-employment rights and job protection for Guardsmen performing an initial period of active duty for training for up to six months.
1961-65
NGAUS neutralizes another Defense Department effort to reduce Army Guard end strength and eliminate four combat divisions. The result is a standoff favoring the Guard: four divisions are deactivated, but other units are provided in their place, and Congress maintains overall Army Guard end strength at 400,000 troops.
Merging the Army Guard and Reserve is a major part of the overall Pentagon plan. Defense secretary Robert McNamara believes the only way to really reduce reserve-component end strength is to eliminate the Army Reserve.
The association maintains a low profile on the merger proposal and only opposes it in its final stages. Maj. Gen. James Cantwell, NGAUS president, supports the merger, although other Guard leaders are divided on the issue, which fails.
NGAUS also helps defeat a DoD proposal to reduce defense spending by cutting Guard and Reserve pay tables to 75 percent of the active-component's.
1968
Congress passes and the president signs the National Guard Technician Act. This culminates a 10-year NGAUS effort to bring more than 40,000 Guard full-time technicians into civil-service status where they will receive retirement and other federal employment benefits.
The Seventies and Eighties
1970-1975
NGAUS efforts focus on bolstering Guard benefits to improve recruiting and retention. Among the achievements are quarters' allowances for new Guardsmen under the Reserve Enlisted Program; expanded post-exchange privileges; full-time group life insurance coverage; authority to withhold premiums from drill pay for state-sponsored insurance; burial flags and access to space-available travel.
The association also defeats two DoD proposals to cut end strength and force structure of both the Army and Air Guard. The fight leads Congress to mandate the conversion of outmoded Air Guard flying units to new and essential missions.
1976
NGAUS secures medical malpractice insurance coverage for Guard health care providers performing medical services during active-duty training.
Congress also passes legislation to allow the presidential call-up of 50,000 Guardsmen and Reservists without declaration of a national emergency.
1977
The association defeats a proposal to limit to 24 the number of annual drills for 4,800 Guard and Reserve chaplains, lawyers, civil affairs specialists and information officers.
The Pentagon theorizes that these professionals and specialists are already "trained." NGAUS believes approving such a plan could presage a move to "half billets" of the type long used by the Naval Reserve.
1978
Congress approves a test of full-time military manning in Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) status in addition to military technicians.
NGAUS also helps defeat a proposal to deny military leave pay to Guardsmen who are full-time federal employees and another to eliminate uniform allowances for Guard officers.
Other victories include passage of a Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and re-enlistment bonuses. In addition, the Air Guard receives its first C-130 transport plane as part of a congressional equipment "add on."
1979
Congress authorizes pay for simultaneous membership in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and the Army Guard.
1980
NGAUS helps defeat a proposal to eliminate military leave pay for federal employees and win additional administrative assemblies to compensate for a loss of administrative pay and a reduction in the Social security offset from the SBP annuity.
Congress also doubles to 100,000 the number of Guardsmen and Reservists the president can mobilize without the declaration of a national emergency.
1981
Congress requires the DoD to submit an annual report on service plans to equip the Guard and Reserve and rejects a proposal to cut military retirement pay for federal employees.
1982
NGAUS wins passage of a law to provide civil-service retirement disability pay to Guard technicians separated from their jobs upon being found physically unable to maintain drilling Guard membership.
Congress also clarifies its intent that Guard AGR personnel are under state control.
1983
The defense appropriations act, for the first time, provides dedicated funding for the procurement of miscellaneous equipment in support of Army Guard support units.
Congress also directs DoD to test year-round commissary access for the Guard and Reserve.
1984
Guard and Reserve officers receive authorization to accept Guard and Reserve promotions, wear the insignia and receive the higher pay while serving on active duty.
NGAUS also helps establish the position of assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs.
1985
Public Law 98-525 provides temporary G.I. Bill funding to any Guardsman, officer or enlisted, working toward a baccalaureate degree or equivalent.
1986
Congress passes the Montgomery Amendment to protect the Guard's overseas training program.
1987
NGAUS persuades Congress to make permanent the Montgomery GI Bill and 12 commissary visits a year for Guardsmen and Reservists.
1988
NGAUS helps defeat attempts to amend the Montgomery Amendment on Guard overseas training.
Congress initiates the F-15A/B multistaged improvement program and replaces logistics support aircraft for the Army Guard Aviation Classificiation Repair Activity Depots, enhancing the Guard aviation maintenance support.
Post-Cold War Era
1990
The Supreme Court upholds the constitutionality of the Montgomery Amendment preserving the federal authority to direct Guard overseas training.
Spurred by NGAUS, Congress restores DoD-proposed Army and Air Guard force structure cuts. Lawmakers also grant gray-area retirees (retired Guardsmen and Reservists who have not yet reached 60 years of age) 12 days of commissary benefits and unlimited exchange use.
1991
Congress establishes an Army Guard force structure "floor" of 450,000 slots and restores 21,100 of the 38,400 Army Guard troop cuts DoD proposed.
Lawmakers also reject the Pentagon's review of the Total Force Policy, active/Guard/Reserve force mix and military structure and direct an independent study of those issues.
Operations Desert Shield and Storm move Congress to authorize several personnel benefits for Guardsmen. These include basic allowance for quarters for single members without dependents, payment of medical special pay at active-duty rates, variable housing allowance upon mobilization; and an exception to limits on accrued leave for payment.
1992
NGAUS battles the Pentagon and convinces Congress to restore cuts to the Army Guard of 48,100 personnel and 39,625 force structure slots.
Lawmakers also provide funds for a Guard pilot program to work with at-risk youth in 12 states-it becomes known as ChalleNGe. They also allocate $10 million for Guard drug-demand reduction programs aimed at young people.
Congress also authorizes a seven-year program to provide Veterans Administration home loans to Guardsmen and Reservists who have completed at least six years of service.
1993
As the military draws down after the Cold War, Congress establishes a lower force structure allowance (420,000) and end strength (410,000) for the Army Guard for fiscal year 1994.
But lawmakers also direct the restoration of reserve-component special operations forces units DoD wants to reduce.
In addition, Congress expands the Montgomery GI Bill to include AGR and to provide benefits for graduate studies.
1994
NGAUS turns away efforts to apply across-the-board civilian cuts to the Guard's full-time force as well as Pentagon proposals to reduce funding for new equipment and personnel benefits.
Congress directs the defense secretary to study and report on projected full-time needs for the Guard and Reserve as well as current manning requirements and authorizations.
Lawmakers also pass the Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act and authorize burial of retired Guardsmen and Reservists at any VA-funded cemetery.
They also approve the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act, which overhauls, clarifies and improves the 1940 veteran's re-employment rights law.
1995
NGAUS efforts lead to the defeat of Guard military technician cuts under President Clinton's "reinventing government" proposal. The reductions would have severely impacted Guard readiness. Congress directs that future military technician cuts be based on force structure.
Lawmakers also establish a mobilization insurance income plan and a shared-cost dental plan tor Guardsmen and Reservists.
1996
Congress, at the request of NGAUS, thwarts attacks on the Army Guard's divisions and a proposal to reduce aircraft authorized from 15 to 12 in the Air Guard's general purpose flying units.
The association is also successful in convincing Congress to add funds to the president's budget request for Army and Air Guard modernization. In all, lawmakers add nearly $ 1 billion for new Guard equipment.
Personnel successes include increases in available retirement points for all Guardsmen and retired credit for time served in the ROTC as part of the simultaneous membership program.
1997
The association mobilizes its members behind an effort led by Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, to elevate the NGB chief to a four-star general with a seat on the joint chiefs of staff (JCS).
It all comes in the wake of a Quadrennial Defense Review proposal to cut 45,000 Army Guard troops. Guard leaders have no input into the plan. Mr. Stevens believes only a JCS seat ensures the Guard has a voice in its future.
The four-star legislation doesn't pass, but it does bear faut. Army leaders compromise on the cut and promise more resources and integration. And Congress provides the Guard a permanent two-star advisory position to the JCS chairman.
1998
Congress doubles Guard commissary privileges to 24 visits a year and, for the first time, provides imminent danger pay comparable to the active component.
Lawmakers, also at NGAUS' request, ensure that all Army Guard units would be able to train in 1999 by restoring twothirds of the operational readiness shortfall of $634 million in the president's budget request.
They also extend for two years early retirement for physical disability of Guardsmen who have at least 15 years of service. And they add a provision directing the VA to provide U.S. flags to drape the caskets of deceased former members of the Guard and Reserves.
1999
At the association's behest, Congress adds nearly $1.5 billion above the president's budget request for equipment, full-time manning, military construction and force sustainment.
They also create a Thrift Savings Plan for the Guard and Reserve, open the Tricare Dental Program to family members and waive Tricare deductibles for those called to active duty for less than a year.
The 21st Century
2000
Congress increases the maximum number of retirement points per year from 75 to 90 and extends several special pays, bonuses and benefits, including VA home loans-all at NGAUS urging.
The association is also among several military and veterans' service organizations that convince lawmakers to provide Tricare for Life eligibility to all Medicare-eligible retirees of the uniformed services and their family members.
Congress also provides more than $ 1 billion over the president's budget request for Guard equipment, training and military construction.
Lawmakers also provide funds for five new weapons of mass destruction civil support teams. DoD originally wanted only 10 teams scattered nationwide, but Congress shares NGAUS view that every state needs one.
2001
The association convinces Congress to provide disability coverage to Guardsmen injured overnight within normal commuting distance to their homes and extends VA home loans through 2011.
Lawmakers also add nearly $2 billion to the president's budget for the Guard. It includes a record $659 million for military construction, $213 million for new UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and $33 million for counter-drug activities.
2002
With the global war on terror dramatically increasing Guard operations tempo, NGAUS and Congress look to help Guardsmen on the front lines and their families.
Lawmakers expand the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act protections to Guardsmen mobilized under Title 32 for more than 30 days. They also extend Montgomery GI Bill eligibility from 10 to 14 years and provide commissary benefits to Guardsmen called to state duty in support of a federal emergency.
In addition, Congress authorizes federal agencies to pay their Guard employees' federal health insurance premiums when activated for 30 or more days, and provides Tricare Prime Access for activated Guardsmen without access to a military medical facility.
2003
NGAUS convinces Congress to overcome strenuous Pentagon objections and provide the first major expansion of Tricare coverage to the Guard and Reserve.
While only temporary, the measure gives Guardsmen access to coverage 60 days before mobilization and 180 days after release from active duty. It also provides medical coverage on a cost-share basis to the one in five traditional Guardsmen and Reservists without employer-provided health coverage.
The association also wins special pay for civil support team members, re-enlistment bonuses for mobilized Guardsmen and helps get concurrent receipt for those with disabilities of 50 percent or more.
Congress also adds $1.3 billion more than the president's budget request for such unfunded requirements as engine upgrades and targeting pods for Air Guard fighters.
2004
NGAUS and Congress again overcome DoD opposition and make added progress on Tricare. The new language permanently provides Guardsmen and Reservists access to Tricare 90 days prior to mobilization and 180 days after separation.
Guardsmen and Reservists will also be eligible to purchase one year of Tricare for every 90 days of continuous active duty as long as they extend their service agreements.
Congress also approves new educational benefits for the Guard and increased enlistment and re-enlistment bonuses.
Armor tops the equipment list Congress approves for the Guard. Included are $572 million for up-armored Humvees, $ 100 million for wheeled-vehicle ballistic bolt-on armor and $17.5 million for reactive armor for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
Lawmakers also approve a measure that allows the defense secretary to provide states with money to employ Guardsmen for homeland defense under Title 32 for up to 180 days.
2005
Congress expands Tricare to all Guardsmen and Reservists in a "Three Tier" system. The new program isn't everything NGAUS wants or the Guard needs but is another step in the right direction.
Lawmakers also lower the basic housing allowance threshold from 140 days to 30 days for members of the Guard and Reserve and improves a variety of enlistment and officer bonuses.
They also create the "Every Soldier a Recruiter" program that combines with other programs to stimulate an Army Guard recruiting surge.
NGAUS also helps win more than $1 billion in congressional "add-ons." Included in the overall budget are funds for 15 C-17s, 8 C-130Js and 5 KC-BOJs.
In addition, the association becomes the focal point of opposition for the Pentagon's Base Realignment and Closure recommendation to ground 29 Air Guard flying units.
© 2006 National Guard Association of the United States Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Source: National Guard
