As the nation faces difficult funding decisions, Congress should carefully consider the cost efficiency of the National Guard in comparison to the high cost of maintaining a large standing force. The high cost of maintaining such a large full-time force is contributing to an unsustainable national debt and deficit.

The National Guard has proven itself to be both cost and combat effective. In a paper for NGAUS entitled “The Role of the National Guard in National Defense and Homeland Security,” Maj Gen Timothy J. Lowenberg (ret.), former WA TAG, points out reasons why the DoD shifted large amounts of mission in the post-Vietnam era. One of the secondary purposes was to ensure global reach and power in a way that reduces cost while maintaining our security. The result has been 30 years of effective power projection at no more than 3 to 4 percent of GDP.

Department of Defense Directive 1200.17, Oct 2008, established an overarching set of principles and policies to promote and support the management of the Reserve Components as an operational force. This Directive states the policy of the DoD is that the "Reserve Components provide operational capabilities and strategic depth to meet U.S. defense requirements across the full spectrum of conflict..."

The Directive further states "The Active Components (ACs) and RCs are integrated as a total force based on the attributes of the particular component and individual competencies." It is clear from this document the DoD intends to treat the RCs as a critical combat force for our nation's defense.

Congress should act boldly to affirm this position in its policies and funding.