Walker Calls On President to Reject Cutting Military
For the City-Times
Governor Scott Walker joined the majority of the nation’s governors in calling on President Barack Obama to reject a proposal to dramatically cut funding for the Army National Guard. Under the proposal, the Army would return the National Guard to pre-2001 levels.
“Wisconsin’s National Guard is a major force in protecting citizens here in Wisconsin, the nation, and abroad,” Governor Walker said. “They are always prepared to step in, to respond to international conflict, a large-scale disaster, or an emergency situation. More than 11,000 Wisconsin National Guard members have deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan since 9/11. Here in Wisconsin, last year, our Guard members battled a massive wildfire in Douglas and Bayfield counties and assisted flood victims in Grant County. Just last week, Wisconsin National Guard members responded to the winter storm, coming to the aide of drivers stranded in the bitter cold. They are always there when we need help the most.”
“Today’s National Guard is a national treasure,” said Major General Donald Dunbar, Adjutant General of the Wisconsin National Guard. “We are America’s first military responder in the homeland and America’s primary combat reserve. Recent history has validated the Abram’s Doctrine (total force doctrine) in ways previously thought impossible and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan would not have been possible without the operational National Guard. The proposed cuts would be a step backwards in the defense of our nation as maintaining this operational National Guard is America’s best hedge against unforeseen contingencies.”
The Wisconsin Army National Guard is made up of approximately 7,700 soldiers including a headquarters staff in Madison and four major commands located throughout 67 Wisconsin communities. The mission of the Guard is to provide fully capable citizen-Soldiers and citizen-Airmen, prepared to deploy anywhere, at any time, to support community, state, and federal missions. The state mission is to help local authorities in protecting life and property and preserving peace, order, and public safety during times of emergency.
A copy of the letter the nation’s governors sent to President Obama can be found here.