The ARNG must provide capacity, depth, and reversibility in order to meet any overseas threat, while also remaining ready to immediately respond to protect life and defend citizens in the Homeland. The Army must right-size and balance the force to meet its missions within the fiscal realities of the current budget environment. Under the Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011 and subsequent sequestration, the Department of the Army (DA) proposes to reduce Army National Guard (ARNG) force structure from around 350,000 to 315,000 beginning in FY16. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2015 that the President signed into law in December 2014 directs the establishment of the National Commission on the Future of the Army (NCFA) with the requirement to report the following to the President and the Defense Committees by February 2016:
• An assessment of the size and force mixture of the active and reserve components.
• A recommendation on the modifications of the structure of the Army that considers (1) current/anticipated mission requirements and (2) available/anticipated resources.
Of the eight Commissioners appointed in March 2015, only one, Secretary Lamont, has served in the National Guard. Four are retired senior AC leaders, and one is the former Commander of the U.S. Army Reserve, a Title 10 component. The current commission structure is perceived by some to disproportionately favor the AC.
The significance of the findings of the Commission cannot be understated. Congress directed a similar evaluation in 2013 through the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force, and of their 42 recommendations, the Air Force agreed with all but one, is currently implementing 25, and is developing pilot programs for the other 16. The Air Force response was formalized in a report to Congress on 4 March 2015, and acknowledged that the future of the Air Force includes a greater reliance upon the reserve components. Congress must be able to make informed decisions regarding strength levels of all service components. The purpose of the NCFA is to provide an independent review and informed assessment to aid in this decision-making. Force structure changes should not occur until the Commission concludes its assessment and renders its report.