National Guard pushes for more resources

The National Guard has figured out how to help the Pentagon meet Defense Secretary Robert Gates' directive to cut overhead costs by $100 billion during the next five budget cycles: invest more in the National Guard.

In a report released Thursday, ostensibly to "guide efforts to improve efficiency at the bureau and push resources to the operational force," the National Guard Bureau concluded, "financial outlay would be wise and prudent" and urged deliberate investment coupled with "a willingness to access the National Guard on a predictable, rotational basis."

The report added, "As a dual-missioned operational force, requiring only a small portion of defense funds, the National Guard can provide the department with a solution to their challenge." It does not offer specific suggestions for how the Guard might streamline its own operations.

With all Defense components under tremendous pressure to cut costs in an effort to ensure 2 percent to 3 percent real growth in funding for necessary equipment and weapons, the report isn't likely to win many supporters elsewhere in the Pentagon, particularly in the active-duty Army. Historically, tensions between the Army and the Army National Guard, which enjoys strong political support, have been high when resources are scarce.

"As everyone in the Department of Defense continues to navigate this fiscally constrained environment, it is critical for defense planners and decision-makers to understand the great benefit that the National Guard brings as a dual-use military force," Air Force Gen. Craig McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said in a statement.

McKinley said the Guard "is working to indentify further efficiencies that offer even greater value to America."

According to the report, "If the Department of Defense invests its resources into building readiness in the Army National Guard, as has been done successfully in the Air National Guard, there would be little need for extensive post-mobilization training and units could get 'boots on the ground' sooner and for longer durations."

The report noted: "The Army National Guard operates using less than 11 percent of the Army's 2010 budget, makes up 32 percent of the Army's personnel and maintains nearly 40 percent of its operating force. The Air National Guard operates using less than 7 percent of the Air Force's 2010 budget, makes up 19 percent of the Air Force personnel, and maintains 30-40 percent of the Air Force's fighter, tanker and airlift capacity."

While the report conceded that active forces conduct much of the training for reserve forces and almost all research, development and acquisition, it noted the Guard maintains a network of schools and generally receives older model equipment.

"No other military force can operate at the local, state and federal levels with as much flexibility as the National Guard," the report said.

Editor's Note: The original headline on this story, "Guard lobbies for more resources," was changed to reflect the fact that the National Guard is legally prohibited from engaging in formal lobbying efforts.