I recently completed a three-day Capitol Hill workshop. Having served as the NGAUS legislative director for more than two years now, I thought it would be a good idea to check my azimuth, and this particular course came highly recommended.

A good portion of the agenda was a civic lesson, reviewing subjects such as how our government functions, the legislative and budget processes, and politics. Instructors included professors from George Washington University and reporters who cover Congress.

Other segments of the course emphasized an area I frequently address on this page: effectively communicating your message to lawmakers.

Much of the material presented, I'm proud to say, reinforced concepts we already have underway at NGAUS. But I learned some new techniques and methods that we will certainly be incorporating to enhance our lobbying effectiveness.

However, effective lobbying isn't that much different than so many other things we do in life. It's all about common sense and mastering the fundamentals.

Since the legislative season is now underway, I think it's helpful to review some of the fundamentals that will help all of us achieve our legislative goals for the Army and Air National Guard.

As a constituent, you have more power than you think: Elected officials normally seek re-election. You are a constituent and represent a vote. Get to know which committees (or subcommittees) your members of Congress serve on (armed services, appropriations, veterans, etc.). And let them know what you think. The Guard is a nonpartisan institution that all members of Congress can support

Keep your input direct and simple: Elected officials and staff are very busy people. The most effective method to communicate with members of Congress is a short letter or one page summary (with supporting materials if necessary). Show how your input improves readiness, recruiting and retention, or otherwise benefits your unit, their district and your state. You can do this through a personal visit, phone call, fax or e-mail. The most efficient way is the "Write to Congress" feature on our Web site www.ngaus.org.

Coordinate the message: Take time to know which legislation pertains to the Guard and then ask your member of Congress to co-sponsor that legislation. Demonstrate how your request "fits" with respect to the priorities of the National Guard Bureau, your state and your unit

Timing is important and resources are limited: Appropriations and authorizations inputs are subject to committee schedules and deadlines, budget resolutions, pay-go rules and other limiting factors. Don't wait until it's too late. NGAUS Legislative Alerts are published to maximize the effect of good timing. Making your input in a timely manner will give it the best chance of being included in legislation

The fundamentals of legislative action aren't complicated. A simple, direct input with the right justification, at the right time can go a long way to improving Guard readiness and quality of life.

More Help For Guard Wounded Sought

Claiming the Defense Department isn't doing enough to address the unique needs of the National Guard, members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform asked Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to make immediate improvements in the system.

In a Feb. 15 letter to the secretary, six committee members from both sides of the aisle, said the department's "outreach to the Guard community is not deep, and coordination with the National Guard Bureau is inadequate."

The members, including Henry Waxman, D-Calif., the committee chairman, and Tom Davis, R-Va., the ranking minority member, note the "distinct hurdles" faced by Guard members compared to active-duty troops.

"They go back to civilian life where responsibilities of employment and family are immediate," they wrote, "and where assistance with military and veterans medical issues may seem remote."

They identified four specific ways in which the Pentagon could make improvements.

One is to fund immediately the NGB's proposal to place a director of psychological health at each of the 54 joint state Guard headquarters. This person would coordinate and address mental health needs of Guard members.

The lawmakers cited a recent study by the Department of Veterans Affairs that found Guard and Reserve members accounted for 53 percent of veteran suicides from 2001 to 2005 (Newsbreaks, page 19).

Second, the Pentagon should provide dedicated funding for Transitional Assistance Advisors in every state to help service members access treatment, benefits and other resources and entitlements.

Third, the department should immediately implement the reintegration program included in the fiscal 2008 defense authorization. Known as Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, the program would provide service members and their families with help during the post-deployment transition and beyond.

Finally, the Defense Department should support dedicated funding to provide adequate human resources staff to properly track the flow of personnel and medical information for wounded veterans.

PTSD Awareness Continues to Grow

Rep. Tom Allen, D-Maine, has introduced the Full Faith in Veterans Act to help combat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other mental health disorders.

The bill, H.R. 5448, will make changes to the Department of Veterans Administration's PTSD, TBI and mental health disorder diagnosis and treatment process.

It would allow a mental health professional to conclude that there is a relationship between a veteran's exposure to military stress and their current PTSD symptoms, rather than requiring the veteran to prove they were involved in an event that could cause PTSD.

The bill also requires new training and certificate programs for VA employees involved in evaluating mental health claims.

Bill Would Boost Family Benefits

Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn, has introduced the Military Spouse Education and Employment Act of 2008, which provides incentives and opportunities for the mili. tary spouses and family members.

Corker said the bill addresses "the growing burdens on military families associated with combating terror globally."

It would give tax credits to employers who hire spouses of active-duty personnel or who have Guard and Reserve employees called to active duty.

The bill also allows service members to transfer any unused portions of the GI Bill benefit to a spouse or child on the condition of re-enlistment to a third term.

To address future problems, the legislation requires studies on education grants and obstacles to education for military spouses.

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