Why do we need this legislation? This legislation is important for members of the National Guard because:

With current operational tempo, the reserve components are an operational reserve with a frequency of mobilizations that are in line active duty counterparts. Service members often need to travel great distances for drill weekends. Although Space-A travel is authorized for reserve component service members and their dependents, the Department of Defense (DoD) has not given the same priority to reserve component Space-A travel as it has for active component Space-A travel. As a result, many of our reserve component who could use Space-A travel for drill weekends, must make other travel arrangements. Reserve component Space-A travel is not a reliable option for reserve component service members at the current priority level. Congress should demand that the Department of Defense (DoD) amend current regulations to allow Space-A travel for reserve component service members at the same priority level as the active component.