The Bush Line: President Bush Is Supporting The National Guard And Reservists

George W. Bush ^ | September 14, 2004

[RWR8189]

"In these crucial times, our commitments are kept by the men and women that wear our uniform. ... I have made a commitment to them and to their loved ones: our troops will have the resources they need to fight and win the war against the terrorists."

-President Bush

President Bush Is Supporting The National Guard And Reservists

Increased Pay For Our Military, Including The National Guard And Reservists. "Since 2001, the President's four budgets have increased basic pay by 21 percent. President Bush also increased monthly Imminent Danger pay from $150 to $225 and has proposed doubling Hardship Duty pay."  ("Supporting And Strengthening The Military And Military Families," Press Release, The White House, 8/18/04)

Improved Health Care For The Military And Military Families.  "The President has authorized through December 2004, and supports continuing important expansions of, health care benefits for Reservists and their family members, up to 90 days before they report for active duty and for 180 days after deactivation. The Department of Veterans Affairs is also reaching out to 136 military bases to provide America's returning servicemembers with VA services to bring about a seamless transition for new veterans to civilian status. To date, more than 32,000 veterans who served in Afghanistan and Iraq have received VA care." ("Supporting And Strengthening The Military And Military Families," Press Release, The White House, 8/18/04)

Additional Job Training For National Guard Members And Reservists. "Today, the Department of Labor expanded the use of National Emergency Grant (NEG) funds to ensure that members of the Guard and Reserve who were required to interrupt their employment-related training or benefits due to a deployment have options enabling them to complete training upon their return home. DOL also expanded the use of NEG funds to serve spouses of returning members of the Guard and Reserve and surviving spouses of military personnel who lost their lives while deployed." ("Supporting And Strengthening The Military And Military Families," Press Release, The White House, 8/18/04)

Expanded Benefits For National Guard Members And Reservists. "The President signed the Military Family Tax Relief Act of 2003 which extends tax filing deadlines for servicemembers in combat zones, provides deductions for Guard and Reserve members who incur expenses while traveling long distances for military service, and doubles the death gratuity payment for the families of servicemembers while on active duty or training." ("Supporting And Strengthening The Military And Military Families," Press Release, The White House, 8/18/04)

Enhanced Education Benefits For National Guard Members And Reservists.  The President has asked Congress to increase the monthly educational benefit for Guard and Reserve forces mobilized for more than 90 days in the War on Terror by 40 to 80 percent – depending on the length of their mobilization.  ("Supporting And Strengthening The Military And Military Families," Press Release, The White House, 8/18/04)

President Bush Is Strengthening Our Military

President Bush Has Increased Defense Spending By 35 Percent Since Taking Office.  "Adjusted for inflation, defense spending has only been higher twice since World War II--during the Korean War and at the peak of the Cold War buildup."  ("Department Of Defense," Office Of Management And Budget, Available At http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2005/defense.html, Accessed 9/12/04)

[2banana]

As a National Guard Soldier who was activated and served for a year in combat in Afghanistan, I would be happy with the following:

1. Treat us the same as active duty. Same equipment (don't just give us what is "left over"), same respect in missions (we are trained the same, don't use us a b*tch boys) and same pay (biggest sticking point is the retirement difference and per diem).

[Old Sarge]

I would concur.

In my comapny, we're referred to as Taco's (short for TOC Ho.) We tend to draw lots of guard duty and vehicle maintenance, insetad of our primary MOS...

[zbigreddogz]

I've wondered how long Kerry's bashing of National Guard and Reserve service could go unnoticed. He's all but said being in the Guard isn't any better then being a draft dodger.