Aviation units in the Army National Guard maintain a very high operational tempo (OPTEMPO) in comparison to other functional elements. Aviation is the only enterprise in the ARNG that is required to maintain operational capacity year-round. Individual training requirements are commensurate with its Active Component counterpart, though units are currently authorized only 50% of their required full-time manning (75% for Attack Battalions due to their High Demand status).
Recognizing the criticality of the Technician workforce to support Aviation readiness, T10 USC (§10216(b) has codified the requirement for the NDAA End Strength Authorization to prioritize authorizations in organizations with the primary mission of providing direct support surface and aviation maintenance. Furthermore, it is directed that the Secretary of Defense shall, for these units and organizations, seek to achieve a programmed manning level for military technicians that is not less than 90% of the programmed manpower structure.

Against the backdrop of increasingly difficult recruiting and retention efforts, as the reduction in full-time manning authorizations decreases, the workload requirements remain constant on both the full-time Technician and AGR workforce as well as the part-time Soldier. Additional full-time manning is required to maintain Aircraft Operational Rates within the DA standard and ensure that Aviation Units within the Army National Guard to gain and sustain a high level of readiness. Discretionary resourcing of the Aviation enterprise below 90% as codified in T10 USC does not meet the spirit of the law.