The successes of the fiscal 2008 defense budget cycle (at this writing, passed by the House and Senate and awaiting the president's signature) were significant, highlighted by historic gains in the areas of Guard empowerment, reduced-age retirement and equipment funding.

And while we all should be pleased with the progress made, a number of challenges still lay ahead, and we must keep our eye on the ball.

Consider the following:

Empowerment legislation placed the National Guard Bureau chief on the "standby list" for a seat at the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This is progress. But the chief will only serve as a principal advisor to the defense secretary through the chairman of the Joint Chiefs on matters pertaining to nonfederalized Guard forces.

The Guard is not quite yet at the table.

State governors and the Guard won a temporary victory with the repeal of changes made to the Insurrection Act in the fiscal 2007 defense authorization act.

However, attempts to put Title 32 Guardsmen, known as "Mixed Status Forces," under U.S. Northern Command indicate the Pentagon hasn't abandoned the idea of federal control of Guard forces in a state status.

In 2006, NGAUS, the adjutant generals and other Guard supporters rallied as one when leaked portions of the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) exposed a Pentagon scheme to cut a temporarily under strength Army Guard by 17,000 troops.

Congress listened and overturned the end-strength reduction, which was a good thing for the nation at a time when we need every soldier it has.

Today, the Army Guard is at full strength thanks to outstanding leadership and innovative recruiting programs that are the envy of the entire U.S. armed forces.

However, the next QDR is just around the comer, and Guard leadership must be at the table and in the discussion that will chart the way forward for the Guard.

Keeping the Joint Cargo Aircraft QCA) joint and funded (under Army program management), and striking Senate language to move intratheater airlift responsibilities exclusively to the Air Force were other successes.

However, hurdles still lay ahead for JCA pending the results of congressionally mandated airlift studies and another "roles and missions" assessment by the defense secretary.

Air Guard leadership and NGAUS are working hard to ensure units slated to lose aircraft as a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Rulings receive follow-on missions-whether it's JCA, unmanned aerial vehicles or a variety of other options.

This effort is ongoing and will require constant attention until new "iron" is on the ramp or units are fully operational with their new responsibilities.

Also of great interest to our members is reducing the age Guardsmen are eligible to receive retirement pay.

Understandably, many of you aren't pleased with the legislation sent to the president last month in the fiscal 2007 defense authorization bill that reduces the age by three months for every 90 days continuous service on a contingency operation.

In addition, the provision isn't even retroactive to Sept. 11, 2001. However, NGAUS lauds Congress for taking the first step to address this long overdue issue, and we look forward to taking future steps that fairly recognizes service, not just service in some locations.

NGAUS will continue to promote the 2 for 1 option as outlined in our resolution. This would reduce the eligibility age by one year for every two years of service past 20 years.

Success on these and the many other issues important to NGUAS requires a clear focus and comprehensive legislative strategy. Our purpose is to aim at the most important issues, work together and implement the following to accomplish our eight objectives:

* Manage and facilitate the resolutions process to ensure we clearly identify our most pressing needs.

* Ensure our members receive timely information relating to our top issues. Our communication channels include the NGAUS Web site, the weekly LEGIT and NGAUS Notes newsletters, National Guard magazine and legislative alerts.

* Strengthen and empower NGAUS task forces to assure expert and collaborative input from the field to identify our top priorities.

* Work closely with other stakeholders in the National Guard alliance to assure a consistent and clear message to Congress. This alliance includes NGAUS, the Adjutant Generals Association of the United States, the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, the National Guard Bureau, state Guard associations and our industry partners.

* Encourage the formation of coalitions of states, units and industry partners that have a common interest in a given issue to maximize their influence in Congress.

* Educate members of Congress and their staffs, with emphasis on defense-related authorization and appropriations committees, to foster greater understanding of Guard missions, capabilities and needs.

* Develop and maintain key contacts and allies on Capitol Hill (House and Senate Guard caucuses, military legislative assistants and professional staff) to facilitate the introduction of legislation that achieves Guard objectives.

* Support state delegation "Hill Walks" with the most current legislative information and a base (The National Guard Memorial) from which to stage their efforts. NGAUS has the meeting rooms, support staff and equipment to help coordinate meetings, receptions and other events.

There's more, but that should give you an idea of some of the tilings NGAUS is doing to ensure a strong and ready Guard.

Our ultimate success, however, depends on you and every other member. The NGAUS staff can and does provide Congress with a national perspective. But a matter or situation doesn't become urgent to a lawmaker until it directly impacts his or her state or district. That's where you come in. That's where you have special abilities to make a real difference.

Make no mistake, members of Congress do listen to their constituents. It doesn't matter if you are a brand new lieutenant or an adjutant general. They listen or they won't be be re-elected. That's the foundation of the timeless saying, "All politics is local."

The key is making your voice heard.

Never assume someone else has communicated your unit's needs. The difference between every member participating in the political process and only some participating is a little like the difference between attempting an extra point in football and a 60-yard field goal. One is almost a sure thing, while the other requires more than a litde luck.

Communicate in any way you want-personal visit, phone call, fax or letter. By far the easiest way is the "Write to Congress" feature on the NGAUS Web site. It doesn't matter how your voice is heard on Capitol Hill, just that it is heard.

Your input really does make a difference. Together we can harness the true grassroots power of the National Guard to help assure our readiness and our future.

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