LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

ADVOCACY  

ROA is the nation’s leading advocate for members of the Reserve Components, their families, and veterans of the Reserve force. Reserve service members face the unique burdens of balancing civilian and military commitments. Too often, the Reserve force is treated as an afterthought in law and policy, in modernization, training, use, and funding, and in benefits.  America’s citizen-warriors deserve a dedicated voice in creating government policy. ROA provides that voice.

Annually, MOROA produces a list of "Issues and Concerns"...topics that are considered to be critical to the success of the reserve components and the individual Reservist/Guard member. That list is used in our regular communication to and visits with key policy makers and elected officials.

The current list of "Issues and Concerns" is printed below and is also included in the MOROA 2023 Biennial Report To Congress for the 118th Congressional session.

ISSUES AND CONCERNS OF MISSOURI RESERVE/GUARD MEMBERS 

As the 118th Congress begins, the members of the Reserve Organization of America, Department of Missouri, call to the attention of the members of Congress several issues and concerns to ensure our nation continues to have a strong defense force. Nearly 50% of the total United States defense force is composed of members of the Guard and Reserve and it is essential we keep these individuals motivated to serve. Over the next year we recommend support of these items to enhance recruiting and retention: 

1. MILITARY PERSONNEL ACCOUNT-BIENNIAL FUNDING-It appears the military personnel ac-count has gone back to being funded on an annual basis, resulting in several problems for the service and service members. The problems are complicated when Continuing Appropriations are passed instead of Budget Appropri-ations. It is not uncommon for a budget to be delayed 3-6 months or longer. Accordingly, the military services are often required to cancel or reschedule unit training, annual training, etc. This could impact a member's retirement eligibility, family and employer relations and cause an increase in resignations. By funding military appropriations through a biennial account, the personnel and funding problems associated with a continuing resolution and gov-ernment shutdown could be eliminated. 

RECOMMENDATION 

MOROA urges Congress to return the Military Personnel Account (MILPERS) as a biennial fund so service mem-bers will not experience disruption in service. 

2. CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR PLANNED INCREASES IN NAVY SHIPBUILDING-During the last few years congressional and naval leaders have indicated support to increase the number of Navy ships. Over the last three decades the number of Navy ships has decreased from 335 to 242. The current long-term naval strategy indicates a need to build to a level of 335-350 ships. The operational tempo created by today's foreign policy directives continues to accelerate, thereby mandating increased time at sea, maintenance costs, etc. In addition to the critical need for ships for national defense/policy issues, a fleet of suffi-cient size is also critical to the continued health of our national economy by ensuring that sea lanes around the world remain open for commerce. 

RECOMMENDATION 

We urge Congress to provide timely appropriations along with the authorizations to increase our Navy fleet size to 335-350 ships, as recommended by our military leaders. 

3. NGREA ACCOUNT-The Reserve and National Guard face challenges with the replacement of equipment that is worn out, expended in combat operations or legacy equipment that has become obsolete. The National Guard Reserve and Equipment Account (NGREA) provides funds to procure and modernize equipment that is critical to readiness. Continued receipt of NGREA and funds added by Congress allows the Reserve Components, to keep the services modern and compatible. 

RECOMMENDATION 

We recommend Congress continue to fund the NGREA account which will reduce shortfalls and ensure units have equipment necessary for training and mission execution. 

4. RECRUITING AND RETENTION IN THE RESERVE COMPONENTS- With the transition of the Reserve to an operational force, recruitment and retention of trained/qualified individuals has become paramount to National Security. The demands placed upon today’s reservist often conflict with civilian employment, personal demands of family and disparities between civilian and military benefits...often leading to first term and mid-career members choosing to leave the service. MOROA believes that the recruitment/retention of Reserve personnel will be of grave concern over the next 3-5 years. In addition, projected retirements in the next five years compound 

the problem. With this in perspective, we feel that our elected officials and military leadership need to retool our ability to maintain a strong force structure without lowering career standards to join. 

RECOMMENDATION 

In the near term, initiate shorter contracts with larger bonus/incentive packages (e.g., 2 or 3-year contracts for $25-40k). Incentives of this type will allow recruiters to attract new recruits as well as enable leadership to entice a 6–8-year veteran over the “hump” that is half way to retirement at the 10 year mark. With officers facing an initial 8-year obligation, a similar concept should be employed to make an additional 3–4-year commitment reasonable. 

5. MODERNIZATION FOR RIVER TRANSPORTATION-VESSELS SUPPORTING COMMERCE-INLAND RIVERS-The total Marine Transportation System (MTS) in our nation accounts for over $4.6 trillion dollars in economic activity, sustains more than 13 million jobs and contributes $212 billion dollars in annual port, sector, federal, state and local taxes. The U. S. Coast Guard Upper Mississippi River (SUMR) based in St. Louis along with its reserve and auxiliary components plays a critical role in maintaining the region's economic health, by ensuring the cost-efficient movement of commerce on the nation's inland river system. The movement of goods on our inland waterways is contingent on the timely placement/maintenance of navigation aids and the U.S. Coast Guard River Tenders (WLR's) that serve them. The nation's inland river infrastructure is aging. The average age of the WLR fleet is 57 years, well past its service life. 

RECOMMENDATION 

The Missouri Congressional Delegation is strongly urged to keep a watchful eye on the budgeting, equipment re-placement and maintenance for the fleet of WLR's whose job it is to keep the inland waterways safe and secure for the transit of commercial goods, thus contributing to a stable vital economy. We also recommend consideration of infrastructure investments to ensure the waterways can handle the significant increase expected in waterborne commerce in the SUMR district in the next ten years. 

6. IS THE AIR FORCE ABANDONING ITS CLOSE AIR SUPPORT MISSION? -The subject of the fu-ture of the A-10 aircraft and its close air support mission continues to be debated in the Air Force and by congres-sional and industry leaders. There are indications the Air Force has reduced CAS training for the newer aircraft pilots. 

RECOMMENDATION 

We request Congress and the Air Force maintain full combat capability of all Active, Reserve and Air National Guard A-10 units as the primary AF platform for close air support, until such time that there is a proven dedicated alternative airframe that can conduct this Air Force core vital tactical mission for our armed forces. Currently A-10 unit personnel are being told by their leadership to contact their congressional representatives because there is no mission, activations or a suitable A-10 replacement airframe on the horizon. 

7. RECEIPT OF FORM DD-214-Currently not all Reserve Component members receive a DD Form 214 or National Guard Bureau (NGB) Form 22 when they leave military service. This is an issue for RC members be-cause the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal and state government agencies normally require veter-ans to have one of these forms to direct veteran’s eligibility determinations. For example, a DD 214 is needed to get credit for the 9/11 G.I. Bill education benefits. 

RECOMMENDATION 

ROA urges Congress to direct all members separating, retiring from the reserve component or reenlisting to re-ceive a Form DD 214 or, if already retired, upon request by the service member, family or legally recognized enti-ty. Also, we urge Congress to direct DOD to establish a e-Form DD214 that is automatically populated from the military personnel system for service members to access when needed; eliminating the need for an "issued" DD Form 214.