January 23, 2007


My previous article discussed changes and challenges ahead in the New Year. Well, those changes and challenges are occurring with great speed in our Army and in actions and decisions affecting our Army, its Soldiers and families and the rest of the AUSA family.

The White House announcement of a new strategy of “Surging the Forces” has been largely met negatively by members on both sides of the aisle on the Hill. The new Democratic majority in the House has concluded its “100 Hours” agenda and it, along with the Senate, is turning its focus to the President’s revised Iraqi policy. Announcements that prominent Army generals are retiring or being reassigned have been met with media speculation of “a housecleaning.” All this, AND a new Defense Secretary who is still in the exploration phase of his newly assumed duties.

Folks, I believe we need to take all of this rhetoric in and digest it properly before we “shoot first and aim later.”

Many of the issues coming to the fore in this New Year are not new but simply replayed for political agenda purposes. As I see it, the movement of the Army generals mentioned in the news: Schoomaker, Abizaid, Casey, Petraeus, and others are logical moves that one would expect to occur in the spring and summer 2007, when one looks at their tenure in their present jobs. I personally am very supportive of the quick confirmation of both General Casey as Chief of Staff and of General Petraeus as well as for General Abizaid for his well-earned retirement. The Army is always on the move and changing. Those retiring have served well and nobly and deserve a “well done” from the nation. Those being reassigned are stepping up to new leadership roles because of proven performance and potential.

The upcoming weeks will give the Secretary and the Chief of Staff the opportunity to present the Army’s report to Congress when they testify on the 2007 Army Posture Statement. The President will deliver his fiscal 2008 budget to the Hill at the same time. While there might be party posturing on issues in the testimony and in the budget, the new Democratic leadership of the Senate and House defense oversight committees are as keen and positive for a strong Army as were their Republican predecessors on critical issues such as end strength; readiness; modernization; well-being for soldiers and families; training; and health care.

While still serving on active duty, I told my troops, “Steady troops, Steady – keep your eyes on the mission.” Our mission remains to support the Army and its Soldiers.

During this time of political and media hubris, we must continue to make our 2007 resolutions a reality. As a reminder, they are available in the Government Affairs section of our website and in print in our annual publication, 2007 AUSA Resolutions.

We need to continue to work at our grassroots level and in our communities telling the Army story and articulating its needs to the political leadership across the Hill and media. Our message: We must support our troops and their families as they deploy and return home. We must support Army recruiting efforts and the recruiting force. We must support Army readiness and modernization. We must ensure our message for a strong and well-resourced Army is heard.

Again this year, we must ensure that proper health care is available to all eligible: active, Guard, Reserve, retirees, families and veterans.

I am troubled about the latest signals coming from the Pentagon, signals that indicate that their legislative and budget efforts for fiscal 2008 will be to again ask for TRICARE increases in co-pays, increase in pharmacy participation costs and increase for those retired, but not yet 65 years old. It is clear to me that the potential of “broken promises” looms on the horizon unless Congress acts in a bipartisan effort to stop this. If fixing TRICARE was a good enough election campaign issue eight years ago, there is no reason to forget that promise now.

Your Association will be just as vigorous in working to reverse this budget agenda item as we were last year. It is imperative that you add your voice to ours. On the AUSA home page, click on “Contact Congress” then after “Elected Officials” type your Zip Code and scroll down to “Stop Erosion of Military Health Care Benefits”. I cannot imagine with the force being asked “to surge” that such an issue would even be brought up with our nation engaged in a long war on terrorism.

We have a great Army, one that is engaged in a vicious long war on global terrorism, one that is transforming while it fights, and one that must maintain well-being and readiness at better than adequate levels to remain successful as a volunteer manned force.

Our mission at AUSA is to ensure that happens in 2007 and in the future years. Steady troops, Steady - keep your eyes on the mission.