January 4, 2008


When one tallies up the results of our hard work on our 2008 Resolutions for action by the Congress, we can give ourselves a pat on the back and a good “Hooah” for modest progress. I remain grateful to our members and chapters for actively participating in one of our key grassroots programs in AUSA: the annual compilation of AUSA legislative goals and Army need - our AUSA Resolutions. For 2008, we had the highest chapter participation ever in development of this year’s resolutions. Thanks.

This past year’s modest success has been the result of a vast lack of bipartisan support for just about anything that came up on the docket. As a result, national defense issues did not receive the time and careful attention needed – particularly as relates to our Army at war.

I am grateful for the hard work of the House and Senate Army Caucus members and the leaders and staff of the four congressional defense committees. They know we are at war and what our needs are in both appropriation and authorization work.

In its 1st Session, the 110th Congress made some progress toward allocating much-needed resources to the Army. Through the use of supplemental appropriations as well as authorizations and appropriations to the base budget, Congress provided resources for continuing current operations worldwide, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for resetting the force; reduced the pay gap between military and private sector pay; substantially increased the death gratuity for Department of the Army civilians; blocked Department of Defense efforts to offset rising health care costs on the backs of retirees; and took steps to ensure that military children receive high quality education.

However, there is more to be done. By only delaying increases in TRICARE fees, cost shares and pharmaceutical costs for retirees, Congress merely postponed making the necessary decisions to ensure affordable health care for those who, even after retirement, continue to serve as key influencers helping to encourage and sustain the nation’s All-Volunteer Force. AUSA will fight to ensure that our past and present military members and families have access to a low-cost, high-end healthcare benefit.

Moreover, reducing the required funds for the Future Combat Systems, the Army’s major modernization program, will delay insertion of technological advances into the current force and escalate program costs.

If the nation wants relevant and ready land forces, resources must follow. All AUSA members must work together to ensure funding of initiatives to ensure Soldiers and their families have a quality of life commensurate with those they serve and to secure resources that will restore balance, provide depth to Army capabilities and build capacity for the future.

Our 2008 resolutions continue our focus on Soldiers, Families, Army Civilians, Readiness, and Force Transformation. We continue to argue for more end strength, force structure and budget share. It is needed now and in the future.

We state unequivocally - our Army is out of balance for today and tomorrow. To start to regain that needed balance, adequate resources must be provided for the four imperatives articulated by our Chief and Secretary: Sustain, Prepare, Reset and Transform.

Our 2008 Resolutions, (on our website and now in print) if followed by the upcoming 2nd Session of the 110th Congress, will move the Army toward restoring the balance so that it can remain a campaign-quality expeditionary force—a key component of our national security—truly the Strength of Our Nation.