> **UNCLASSIFIED**
>
> **STATEMENT BY**
>
> **COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR**
>
> **MICHELE S. JONES**
>
> **Command Sergeant Major of the Army Reserve**
>
> **BEFORE THE**
>
> **COMMISSION ON THE NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVES**
>
> **June 15, 2006**
>
> Good Afternoon, Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of the
> Commission. First, thank you for this opportunity to speak on behalf
> of the Army Reserve's greatest asset, our Soldiers and families.
> Second, it is my distinct honor and privilege to represent the five
> categories of Army Reserve Soldiers-Active Guard Reserve (AGR), Troop
> Program Unit (TPU), Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA),
> Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) and Retired Reserve. Each category
> comes with its own set of challenges, laws, regulations and policies.
> Soldiers and families of the Army Reserve sincerely appreciate all
> your efforts to confront their issues, challenge the status quo and
> make the necessary recommendations to enhance their service to this
> nation.
>
> **[ROLE OF THE ARMY RESERVE]{.underline}**
>
> The purpose of the Army Reserve has not changed- as stated in Title
> 10, "The purpose of...provide trained units and qualified persons
> available for active duty in the armed forces...more units and persons
> are needed than are in the regular components."
>
> The ready force of 205,000 Army Reserve Soldiers are in the first
> three categories, AGR, TPU and IMA, located in over 1,000 local
> communities within the United States and territories. Over 154,000
> Soldiers have been mobilized and/or deployed to date. Army Reserve
> Soldiers are currently deployed in over 20 countries around the world
> supporting major Army missions.
>
> Soldiers from 47 states and 3 US territories have responded to this
> nation's call to active duty. The Army Reserve provides 100% of the
> Army's Training Divisions, Enemy Prisoner of War Military Police
> Brigades, Railroad units, 97% of the Civil Affairs units, 66% of the
> Psychological Operations units, 67% of the Medical Brigades, 70% of
> the Hospitals and 44% of the Logistical Support units, within the Army
> Structure.
>
> **[TRAINING AND EQUIPPING]{.underline}**
>
> Training opportunities and equipping still remains a challenge in the
> Army Reserve. Thirty nine days of required training is not enough. The
> antiquated method of "inactive duty" for battle assemblies (weekend
> drills) does not support the level of readiness required for an
> operational Army Reserve. In addition, the lack of current equipment
> continues to plague our units. This includes not only individual
> equipment such as night vision goggles, uniform replacement, body
> armor, but also vehicles, replacement parts and medical equipment and
> facilities to train our soldiers.
>
> Training must be fully funded at 100% of authorized strength and
> funded for soldiers in the IRR to receive a minimum of 20 days of
> training and mobilization preparation. A more effective way of
> training could be to have quarterly training for a minimum of 7 days,
> replace the term "inactive duty" with active duty as this training is
> active in every sense of the word. This could not only enhance the
> capabilities in individual soldiers but also enhance the unit's level
> of readiness and to give employers an easier way of manage their
> employee's absence for training.
>
> Additionally with the decision of Base Realignments and Closures,
> deactivation of units, relocation of units, soldiers will increase
> their travel distance and time to meet their statutory obligation,
> upward mobility and diverse experience in different unit type. If a
> soldier is performing any type of duty, then the authority for travel,
> transportation and per diem allowances should be the same as for a
> soldier serving on active duty.
>
> **[PERSONNEL AND COMPENSATION]{.underline}**
>
> It is critical that members of the Reserve Components receive full and
> fair compensation for the dedicated service they provide this country.
> This is tried directly to Retention and Recruiting. The first hurdle
> that must be changed is that the Reserves have a service based
> retirement not an aged based retirement. This must include an
> equitable package not just for mobilized Soldiers but for all
> Soldiers. It can be used as Retention or a Recruiting tool.
>
> Although many authorizations were passed to enhance Medical and dental
> benefits to the Reserves, this still remains a challenge for many
> members. Some of the challenges include the availability of medical
> facilities in their communities, obtaining or receiving specialty
> appointments in remote locations or non military areas. As with a
> service based retirement plan, full medical and dental coverage can be
> used as a Recruiting or Retention tool.
>
> For our families, an expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act of
> 1993 to protect families and or designated family care providers that
> need a leave of absence to handle family's matters upon a Soldier's
> mobilization and or deployment. This change would protect families who
> are not protected under the Uniformed Services Employment and
> Reemployment Rights.
>
> Soldiers continue to raise issues with employers, fair housing
> practices and lending practices. I would submit to the Committee to
> consider the additions to Public Act 093-0941 by the State of Illinois
> that stipulates that military members are a protected class under the
> Illinois Human Rights Act. This strengthens the protection for
> military members whether on active duty or not.
>
> **[MOBILIZATION AND DEMOBILZATION]{.underline}**
>
> Each service has their own set of systems, as does each component
> within the Army. The process to notify, mobilize and demobilized has
> improved as the current Global War continues, however, the multiple
> systems that we continue to operate with must merge into one. The
> current personnel and finance systems are based on component not on
> duty status. We must have the funding and resources to have ONE system
> that can easily indicate and support all soldiers' duty status,
> entitlements, benefits and medical readiness.
>
> There is much discussion about the time a Soldier is called to duty- 2
> years or 24 months. Each soldier has individual circumstances that
> truly dictate whether 6 months is acceptable versus 24 months.
> Allowing soldiers to volunteer for increased mobilization and or duty
> versus mandating one size fits all does not meet the need or demands
> of an operational force in today's environment.
>
> Several suggested changes to law, should allow for all Reserve members
> to be called upon (mobilized) for natural or other disasters within
> the United States and its territories. To support an operational
> force, the law should also allow for mobilizations that support
> training of soldiers or units.
>
> In conclusion, the Army is transforming, the environment is changing,
> it is not easy nor does anyone expect it to be. Every soldier serves
> this great nation for a reason. How each soldier decides to serve,
> whether Active Component of Reserve Component, he or she volunteered
> and is a part of the All Volunteer Force. It is one Army, with one
> mission, serving one nation, the United States of America.
>
> Thank you again for this opportunity, I look forward to your
> questions.