Panel urges changes to structure of reserves

[babylonsister]

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/03/TNScommission070301/

Panel urges changes to structure of reserves

By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Mar 1, 2007 10:55:15 EST

A healthier and more effective National Guard and reserves will require substantial changes in coordination between federal and state officials and improved overall organizational structure, a congressionally appointed commission concludes in a report released today in Washington.

Among its most striking recommendations, the commission proposes that the Defense Department develop protocols that would allow state governors to direct the efforts of federal military assets — active-duty forces based in their states — to augment the National Guard in responding to an emergency such as a natural disaster.

“We spend a tremendous amount of time identifying, analyzing and documenting the problem,” said Arnold Punaro, chairman of the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves. “We came up with a cumulative set of regulations that would have a profound effect on the way that we’re able to respond to man-made or natural disasters as quickly as possible.

“Our findings show we are not sufficiently prepared now,” Punaro said. “The cause is all the shortcomings we have in all the institutions involved.”

The 13-member commission was established by Congress in 2005 with a mandate to assess the U.S. reserve components and recommend changes to ensure the National Guard and the reserves are “organized, trained, equipped, compensated and supported to best meet the needs of U.S. national security.”

The role of the reserve components has changed dramatically since Sept. 11, 2001, Punaro said. During the Cold War, he said, “They weren’t designated to be used on moment’s notice,” but both were used “a lot” during the first Gulf War and have been used “almost continuously” since Sept. 11.

“But saying that they’re operational doesn’t make them operational,” he said.

more...

[Kolesar]

1. Reserve bases are primarily Pentagon pork

A political plum designed to give the local Representative something to brag about protecting.