News Releases for June 2006
June 28, 2006
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Senate Is Applauded For Empowering The National Guard
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven and Maj. Gen. Michael Haugen, adjutant general, N.D. National Guard, are commending the Senate Armed Services Committee for introducing an amendment in its defense authorization bill that would elevate the National Guard Bureau (NGB) within the Defense Department.
The National Defense Enhancement and National Guard Empowerment Act of 2006 (Senate Bill S2652) would amend Title 10 of the United States Code which would establish the National Guard Bureau as a joint activity of the Department of Defense. Currently, NGB is divided into departments of the Army and Air Force (Air Guard). The related House of Representatives bill is H.R. 5200.
This legislation would also promote the Chief of the National Guard Bureau from a Lt. Gen. to General and will thus elevate the position to equal membership on the Joint Chiefs of Staff with the heads of the other armed services.
“It’s a big step forward in better integrating the National Guard into the National Defense Strategy by making them equal partners with the other U.S. Armed Forces,” said Governor Hoeven. “It also means that the National Guard Bureau will have more influence over budget, policy and other negotiations within the Department of Defense and that’s good for the N.D. National Guard, as well as for state input into the homeland defense and emergency response.”
“This provision will place the National Guard on an equal footing with the other U.S. Armed Services,” added Maj. Gen. Haugen. “This new arrangement will allow for better distribution of resources by requiring that NGB and the State National Guards work together to identify gaps between federal and state emergency response capabilities. With a larger voice within the Department of Defense, the Guard will be better equipped to not only handle its federal mission but its state support missions as well.”
Additionally, the Guard will be able to better concentrate on its special requirements for state-level homeland security missions.
The amendment’s four central elements are as follows:
- It elevates the NGB chief to a four-star position;
- It directs that the deputy commander of the U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) be a National Guard officer to ensure that planning better includes National Guard interests;
- It gives NGB the ability to identify and validate equipment needs essential to Guard missions; and
- It allows NGB to establish more direct lines of communication with the Office of Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, states and federal agencies.
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