Supporters of America’s Guardsmen don’t like what they’re hearing about upcoming QDR-induced force cuts, and they aren’t pulling any punches. Brig. Gen. Stephen M. Koper (USAF, Ret.), president of the 45,000-member National Guard Association of the United States—wrote in a Dec. 21 letter to Congress that he has “grave concern” that “dramatic” cuts may fall primarily on the Air Guard and Army Guard. “Should the American people calculate the threat to their security is better served by reducing military manpower as a cost-savings measure, then it seems obvious that the most expensive forces (the active component) should be sacrificed first, followed by the least expensive (the Guard and Reserve).” Koper hastened to add that he didn’t advocate doing either until there had been a “full, open debate,” but the message was clear.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.