Political Quotes

“Since its establishment, the National Guard has answered the call to defend our Nation and respond in times of crises. They have fought bravely with the Active Component, while continuing to achieve their mission here at home. At the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, nearly 50 percent of the Army's total force was a mix of Reservists and members of the National Guard. The Pennsylvania National Guard alone contributed more than 42,000 individual deployments. Unfortunately, the Army's Aviation Restructuring Initiative, or ARI, will have devastating impacts on all that the National Guard has achieved. ARI will result in the transfer of all National Guard Apache helicopters to the Active Component, leaving the National Guard less combat-ready. It will also deprive our Nation of an operational reserve for these aircraft, which is essential to the retention of talented aircrews. ARI represents a fundamental shift in the nature and role of the National Guard. Last year, Congress wisely created the National Commission on the Future of the Army to offer a deliberate approach to addressing force structure issues such as ARI. Yet, as it stands now, many of these transfers will be long done before the Commission has examined the proposal and reported its recommendations. Mr. Chairman, once these transfers begin, it will be all but impossible to reverse them.…”