An Introduction and a Vision

Telling the Guard story on Capitol Hill is, and must, remain our core competency.

Let me begin by saying that I am honLored and humbled to have been elected NGAUS chairman of the board. I look forward to serving our nearly 45,000 association members and the almost half-million men and women they command.

The election process was certainly interesting and informative and I want to thank all the participants. Competitive elections encourage open debate, which only makes NGAUS stronger.

But it's now time for all of us on the new board to roll up our sleeves and get to work. The next few years are critical to the future of our Army and Air National Guard, our families and our employers.

For those of you who didn't attend the conference in Las Vegas, I'd like to offer a short introduction and share with you my vision for our great association.

I am a 38-year Army Guardsman with service in virtually every status. I began my career as an enlisted soldier before earning a commission in 1969 in the military police corps. I'm also field-artillery branch qualified and have service at nearly every echelon of command.

Currently, I wear several hats. I am Michigan's adjutant general for Army and the commander of the new 46th Military Police Command. I am also in my fifth year on the Army Reserve Forces Policy Committee, and I just completed my eighth year as a member of the NGAUS Board of Directors.

My time on the board has only reinforced my belief that NGAUS is an association of state associations. These relationships are critical to our success. I also believe that telling the Guard story on Capitol Hill is, and must, remain our core competency.

Delegates to last month's 126th General Conference adopted 104 resolutions for legislative action. Each one originated from a state association. Each locuses on readiness. And each is important to our members, their families and their employers.

Unfortunately, NGAUS can't effectively work 104 items in one year. Congress isn't receptive to 104 separate requests. We simply must prioritize.

NGAUS has 11 task forces focused on specific programs and issues. I have directed the task force chairmen to determine the five priority resolutions within their areas and provide that list to the NGAUS legislative director by Nov. 1.

I have also chartered a new task force to gather in Washington, D.C., Nov. 18 to trim the priority lists to a workable number of issues. Health care, reduced-age retirement, full-time manning and individual/organizational equipment for those deployed will be on the priority list.

I will report back to you on this list in December. I will also track these priority programs and keep you informed of their progress and when your calls and letters to lawmakers can be of the most use.

And I encourage state delegations visiting Capitol Hill to pick up the NGAUS priorityprogram fact sheets and assist the association in carrying our legislative agenda.

We also need to stay involved in the U.S. military's transformation.

Decisions made today have broad implications for our forces well into tomorrow. We understand there is going to be change. We need to change. But National Guard force structure and equipment cannot be the billpayer to transform other components.

This will not happen if there is open and honest dialogue, always focusing on what is right for our great nation. NGAUS, the adjutants general as well as the National Guard Bureau must be included. Anything less is a disservice to our Total Force.

Finally recognition of our annual general conference as a venue for professional development will continue to be high on my agenda.

Hearing directly from congressional and senior defense leaders is invaluable. So is meeting with our peers from around the country, especially those with lessons learned. It's time for conference attendance to be recognized lor what it is: professional development.

It is a privilege to serve as your chairman, and I welcome your counsel, ideas and comments. Together, we will take our message to Capitol Hill and move the Guard forward.

Brig.. Gen. Robert V. Taylor

Chairman of the Board, NGAUS

Copyright National Guard Association of the United States Oct 2004
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