Bill Nelson: “As many of our colleagues are aware, the National Guard has undergone a difficult year with their rapid mobilization and…”

“As many of our colleagues are aware, the National Guard has undergone a difficult year with their rapid mobilization and deployment to Iraq and a redeployment date that continues to slip. This has happened to the National Guard in State after State. It has particularly happened with regard to Florida. Florida was actually mobilized the day after Christmas. They went into the armories and started packing their gear. Many, of course, thought it was going to be a very short war, as it was. The military conflict was successfully prosecuted by General Tommy Franks. But all of them were clearly understanding there was the likely possibility they were going to be gone for a year. What they did not expect, with the occupation having been as difficult as it has, was that they were going to be extended, in some cases, up to 16, 17, and perhaps even 18 months from when they first came in to start packing up at the armory of their National Guard unit. In State after State, these National Guard units have been so effectively trained and, given the adequate and up-to-date equipment in the field, they have performed so admirably. That is clearly the case with the 124th Infantry, which consists of three battalions from Florida. They are so good, they want to continue to keep them. That is like a double-edged sword. Our Guard is so good, and yet they have families, they have employers, and they are making a financial sacrifice. They are prepared to do that.…”