Washington, DC – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) welcomed the arrival of the report of the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves and expressed gratitude to the Commissioners for the recommendations delivered to Congress today.  

            “I am grateful to the members and staff of the Commission for their hard work examining the state of our National Guard and Reserves.  The Commission’s analysis will help us understand how the roles of the National Guard and Reserves have changed in recent years and their recommendations will inform our effort to develop policies to strengthen this essential component of our Armed Forces,” said Skelton.

            “Since 9/11, the members of the National Guard and Reserves have played an increasingly critical role as our military responds to security requirements at home and abroad.  We have asked these citizen soldiers to do more than many may have ever anticipated when they volunteered to serve their country.  As a result, we have a responsibility to make sure that the men and women of the National Guard and Reserves have the equipment and training they need to complete their missions and the support they need to help their families cope with the demands of military service in this era,” said Skelton. 

“In the future, I plan to call a hearing so that the Commissioners may present their recommendations directly to the members of the House Armed Services Committee.  I look forward to this opportunity to discuss the Commission’s findings and to call attention to the needs of the National Guard and Reserves,” said Skelton.

            The independent Commission on the National Guard and Reserves was established by the Fiscal Year 2005 National Defense Authorization Act and was charged by Congress to recommend any needed changes in law and policy to ensure that the Guard and Reserves are organized, trained, equipped, compensated, and supported to best meet the national security requirements of the United States. 

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