Call For Resolutions
MEMORANDUM FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARKANSAS NATIONAL GUARD
SUBJECT: CALL FOR RESOLUTIONS
6 November 2008
In preparation for the annual state officer and enlisted association conferences in the spring, the time has come once again to begin the process of developing and submitting resolutions for consideration. A resolution is a formal statement of a decision or expression of opinion put before or adopted by an assembly. Simply put, a resolution is an idea or a proposal about an issue that can help make the National Guard better for all of us.
The resolutions adopted at the state NGAA/EAANG conferences will be forwarded to the national level for presentation at the NGAUS and EANGUS conferences. Resolutions adopted at the NGAUS and EANGUS conferences will then be taken to our military or political leaders in Washington, hopefully for approval and subsequent implementation. The results of the resolution process have a direct effect on the future of the National Guard in our state and the nation. It is through this process that the interests of the National Guard are presented and protected.
The National Guard continues to play an important role in defending and maintaining the great American democracy, and it is critical that we make sure the needs of our soldiers and airmen are being addressed. It is the responsibility of each of us to contribute to the resolutions effort.
We invite each of you to consider issues within the National Guard that need to be addressed. It is possible for an issue or idea conceived by one member within the state to subsequently become national policy or law. The vast majority of resolutions normally submitted relate specifically to modernization of equipment or personnel issues; however, the process is not limited to those subjects.
When considering resolutions, please keep in mind that we have a much better chance for success if the issue applies on a statewide or national basis. In other words, think about what is good for the National Guard as a whole and not just a few individuals. All resolutions will be channeled to the appropriate national association through committee review.
Attached for your information are sample resolutions to aid you in formatting your ideas. Copies of the resolutions adopted at the 130th NGAUS Conference in September 2008 are available at www.ngaus.org (click on Legislative Programs, then Current Resolutions). If you have an idea for a resolution, please provide some background information on what the issue or situation is and then provide your recommendation for addressing the issue.
The resolutions committee members will be glad to assist you with the proper formatting. What we really need from you are your thoughts on what issues need to be addressed on a state and national level. Also attached is a guideline that explains the basic steps of the resolution process and point of contact information to assist you in submitting a resolution. The deadline for submitting resolutions is 1 March 2009. Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas.
Matthew W. Anderson
Co-Chair, Resolutions Committee
Regina Powell
Co-Chair, Resolutions Committee
Michelle Miller
Co-Chair, Resolutions Committee
BASIC STEPS OF THE RESOLUTION PROCESS
- Resolutions may be proposed and drafted by any member of the National Guard Association of Arkansas (NGAA) or Enlisted Association of the Arkansas National Guard (EAANG). Please forward resolutions through command channels or directly to one of the points of contact listed below.
- Each level headquarters should review and screen the proposals for authenticity and validity, ensuring only those that apply on a state or national basis are forwarded.
- All proposed resolutions must be received no later than March 1, 2009. Copies of all proposed resolutions selected by the committee for presentation to the state associations will be available at the NGAA/EAANG 2009 conferences.
- Resolutions adopted by the NGAA and EAANG in general conference must be forwarded to their respective national associations no later than June 2009.
- The resolutions adopted at the national conferences will either be forwarded to the appropriate policymakers urging their adoption or will be prioritized and placed on a working list at NGAUS/EANGUS for legislative action at the appropriate time.
FORMATTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESOLUTIONS
As a general rule, resolutions do not contain specific dollar requests nor do they indicate quantities. Also, individual companies or industries are not included. Formatting should be limited to one page, Times New Roman font with one-inch margins. There should be no bold or underlined words.
POINTS OF CONTACT FOR SUBMITTING RESOLUTIONS
Proposed resolutions may be forwarded through command channels or may be sent directly to the NGAA/EAANG Resolutions Committee via e-mail if possible to jshere@ngaa.org) or may be addressed to the NGAA Resolutions Committee, P.O. Box 663, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72115. They may also be faxed to (501) 758-2097. Resolutions must be received by 1 March 2009.
Resolutions may also be forwarded directly to:
NGAA:
CPT Matthew W, Anderson
777th Aviation Support Battalion
Camp Robinson, AR 72199-9600
501) 212-5394 (DSN 962-5394)
E-mail: matt.anderson@us.army.mil
EAANG:
SSG Regina Powell
Joint Force Headquarters
Camp Robinson, AR 72199-9600
501) 212-5482 (DSN 962-5482)
E-mail: regina.l.powell@us.army.mil
SSgt Michelle Miller
Joint Force Headquarters
Camp Robinson, AR 72199-9600
(501) 212-5026 (DSN 962-5026)
E-mail: michelle.miller3@ar.ngb.army.mil
SAMPLE RESOLUTION
RELATED TO LOCATING THE CAREER ENLISTED AVIATOR CENTER OF
EXCELLENCE (CEA CoE) AT LITTLE ROCK AFB, ARKANSAS
Background: In November 2003, the Air Staff asked Air Education and Training Command to develop a plan to collocate and consolidate all undergraduate Career Enlisted Aviator (CEA) training. This concept, called the Center of Excellence (CoE), would combine many aspects of CEA training. Current training is conducted at various locations and is narrowly focused on a specific weapon system and specific aircrew specialties. The flexibility gained by combining all enlisted aircrew specialties with minimal additional training.
The CoE would be staffed by a total force cadre made up of members of Active Duty, Air Force Reserves, Air National Guard, and civil service instructors. Site survey visits to determine the best basing option were conducted at the following locations: Little Rock AFB, Lackland AFB (Kelly Annex), Fairchild AFB, and Randolph AFB. There are two main requirements for a CoE location -- the base must be capable of supporting an Active Duty Student Load of 500 personnel and have an altitude chamber within the immediate vicinity.
Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Enlisted Association of the Arkansas National Guard and the National Guard Association of Arkansas to urge the Department of the Air Force to locate the Career Enlisted Aviator (CEA) Center of Excellence (CoE) at Little Rock Air Force Base for the following reasons:
The active duty 314th Airlift Wing and the 189th Airlift Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard have been working together for years in a highly successful total force Formal Training Unit (FTU) to meet the C-130 student training needs for not only the United States Air Force, but also the entire Department of Defense and many foreign countries. One part of this FTU is the Air National Guard owned 3-level AFSC awarding school for C-130 Flight Engineers and Loadmasters and these students would make up a very significant portion of the CoE. The base currently has an altitude chamber with sufficient capacity to handle projected needs. The track record of the total force FTU at Little Rock AFB along with the availability of facilities makes this base the logical choice for the Center of Excellence! Affected Agencies:
Congress, OSD, DA, DAF, NGB, NGAUS
SAMPLE RESOLUTION
RELATING TO TRICARE FOR MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL
GUARD AND RESERVE COMPONENT
Background: The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 contains a compromise provision on TRICARE for the National Guard. Section 701 of the conference report allows access to TRICARE Standard for those Guard members who have served more than 90 days on active duty in support of a contingency operation. For every 90 day period on active duty, the member will receive one year of cost-share TRICARE coverage. In return for this cost-share coverage, the Guard member must agree to serve a year with the National Guard.
This provision, however well-intentioned, does not solve the problem of medical readiness that exists in the National Guard. During 2003 and 2004, when a Guard unit reported to mobilization sites and Guard members were evaluated, the number one reason for being rated non-deployable was medical. That same Guard unit was forced to either deploy with less than 100 percent of its personnel, or was forced to pull soldiers from other units to back-fill missing members.
Although tying medical coverage to service at first glance seems sensible, it does not allow the entire National Guard to stay at its top level of readiness. By the spring of 2005, a significant portion of US troops in Iraq will be members of the National Guard. Additionally, National Guard members are fulfilling commitments in Afghanistan, Bosnia and the Sinai. Providing TRICARE coverage on a cost-share basis during all phases of service increases unit readiness and improves the National Guard's ability to carry out its mission.
Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Enlisted Association of the Arkansas National Guard and the National Guard Association of Arkansas that the Congress of the United States authorize and appropriate funds which would allow all members of the National Guard to access TRICARE coverage on a cost-share basis, without any restrictions.
Affected Agencies:
Congress, OSD, DA, DAF, NGB, NGAUS
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