National Guard: A Great Value for America

摘要

On May 8, 2010, the Secretary of Defense issued a mandate. He directed the military Services and major functional and regional commands to comprehensively review how they operate and to cut overhead to increase tooth-to-tail ratios. The goal is to provide an equivalent of 2-3 percent of real growth which will then be invested in the sustainment of wartime combat power and preparing for an uncertain future. The National Guard plays an important role in achieving the goals set forth by Secretary Gates. As a continental United States (CONUS)-based force, the National Guard provides significant military capabilities in response to unexpected emergencies. Whether called upon to provide manpower, logistics, communications, chemical, biological, and radiological detection, emergency medical treatment, or any other type of support to civil authorities, the National Guard has always quickly responded. With more than 460,000 Soldiers and Airmen located in more than 3,000 communities around the country, the National Guard is ready and accessible when called.