Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) noted that the National Guard is “stretched pretty thin in a range of areas” and ventured to ask whether Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld would recommend reinstituting the military draft. Rumsfeld replied, “The answer is flat no.” He continued, “ All we need to do is what anyone else with a volunteer entity has to do, and that’s adjust the incentives so that you can attract and retain the people you need.”
President Donald Trump signed legislation reopening the federal government late Nov. 12, ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The move sets the stage for tens of thousands of defense civilians to return to work and guarantees troops will be paid in a few days’ time.
