[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 10 (Thursday, January 16, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E89]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         REBUTTAL OF GENERAL ODIERNO'S NATIONAL GUARD COMMENTS

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                           HON. DOUG COLLINS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 16, 2014

  Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday I had the 
pleasure of welcoming home the soldiers of the 1/214th Field Artillery 
Division located in Elberton, Georgia. The Georgia National Guard unit 
deployed to Afghanistan for a year, fighting for the freedoms we enjoy.
   While speaking before the audience of recently returned veterans, I 
never made a distinction between National Guard and Active Duty. What I 
lauded these soldiers for was putting their lives on the line in 
defense of their nation. The flag they wear on their right shoulder, 
signifies them as a fighting force on behalf of the United States.
   That flag doesn't distinguish whether they are National Guard or 
Active Duty.
   So I was very disheartened three days ago when I heard reports that 
U.S. Army Chief of Staff, General Odierno said, ``the capabilities are 
not interchangeable,'' referring to the National Guard and Active Duty.
   It appears to me the National Guard's capabilities have been 
interchangeable as they have defended the nation during its 13 year war 
on terrorism.
   The members of the 1/214th Field Artillery capabilities were 
interchangeable as they served with distinction during their year in 
Afghanistan. They executed 724 missions, conducted 9,300 vehicle 
searches, and were awarded numerous Purple Hearts and Bronze Star 
Medals. The 1/214th was awarded the Army's Meritorious Unit Citation 
which is given only to units whose performance is considered to be 
outstanding, heroic and actions valorous in nature.
   It is hurtful to me as a Reservist, and the Guard members in my 
state, to say their skills are not interchangeable even though it is 
well known the Guard does the same job as Active duty with fewer 
resources. And yes, the Guard traditionally trains only 39 days a year, 
but yet, still fights for a year straight when deployed.
   In addition to a year deployed, National Guard and Reservist are 
sent to mobilization stations for three months prior to deployment.
   These mobilization stations are the last stop prior to being 
deployed. So a Guardsman, citizen soldiers as they are often called, is 
actually away from their families for a total of fifteen months.
   For General Odierno to say Active Duty and National Guard are not 
interchangeable is disingenuous. The National Guard has to train to the 
same standards and adheres to the same doctrinal fighting form as 
Active Duty units.
   In addition to fighting the foes of our nation, the National Guard 
is called up at a moment's notice to respond to hurricanes, tornadoes, 
chemical spills, and all manners of man-made and natural disasters. 
National Guard only trains for 39 days, when there isn't a state 
emergency.
   As of recent, between Hurricane Sandy to the chemical spill in West 
Virginia, the Guard has been activated to serve the citizens of their 
state.
   The members of the 1/214th Field Artillery would be disheartened to 
learn that their chief of staff doesn't think they are as capable as an 
Active Duty unit. I know, they know, that they can function in every 
terrain, weather condition, and operational environment as any other 
combat unit, why doesn't General Odierno?

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