02/07/2008 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB326 | |
| Annual Update & Departmental Presentation | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 326 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS
February 7, 2008
1:07 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bob Roses, Chair
Representative Nancy Dahlstrom
Representative Anna Fairclough
Representative Gabrielle LeDoux
Representative Jay Ramras
Representative Robert L. "Bob" Buch
Representative Scott Kawasaki
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 326
"An Act authorizing the governor to delegate to the adjutant
general the authority to order the organized militia into active
state service and authorizing the payment of Alaska National
Guard called into active state service to fight wildfires at
rates of pay established for certain emergency fire-fighting
personnel; and providing for an effective date."
-MOVED CSHB 326(MLV) OUT OF COMMITTEE
ANNUAL UPDATE & DEPARTMENTAL PRESENTATION
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 326
SHORT TITLE: NAT'L GUARD: COMMAND/ACTIVE SERVICE/PAY
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
01/17/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/17/08 (H) MLV, FIN
02/07/08 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
MAJOR GENERAL CRAIG CAMPBELL, Adjutant General/Commissioner
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA)
Fort Richardson, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HB 326 on behalf of the
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs.
TOM IRWIN, Commissioner
Department of Natural Resources
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 326.
LYNN WILCOCK, Fire Program Manager
Director's Office
Division of Forestry
Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 326.
ROBERT GOODMAN, President
Alaska Territorial Guard Organization
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the Alaska National Guard
Update.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CHAIR BOB ROSES called the House Special Committee on Military
and Veterans' Affairs meeting to order at 1:07:23 PM.
Representatives LeDoux, Kawasaki, Fairclough, and Roses were
present at the call to order. Representatives Buch, Dahlstrom,
and Ramras arrived as the meeting was in progress.
HB 326-NAT'L GUARD: COMMAND/ACTIVE SERVICE/PAY
1:07:47 PM
CHAIR ROSES announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 326, "An Act authorizing the governor to delegate
to the adjutant general the authority to order the organized
militia into active state service and authorizing the payment of
Alaska National Guard called into active state service to fight
wildfires at rates of pay established for certain emergency
fire-fighting personnel; and providing for an effective date."
1:08:18 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CRAIG CAMPBELL, Adjutant General/Commissioner,
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA), introduced HB
326 on behalf of the DMVA. He informed the committee that the
administration, the DMVA, and the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) support the bill and called the committee's
attention to page 2, lines 12, 13, and 14, that read:
The governor may delegate authority to order the
organized militia or any part of it, into active state
service under this section to the adjutant general.
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL explained that the intent of this part of
the bill is to change the law for fighting fires because fires
happen so rapidly. The travel schedules of the governor and the
adjutant general can hamper activation of the Alaska National
Guard [(Guard)] because that normally requires authorization
from the governor. In this specific case, when the adjutant
general is notified by the commissioner of the DNR that the
Guard is needed for fire protection, the governor agrees to
allow activation by the adjutant general. Major General Craig
continued to say that changes on lines 19 through 23 will adjust
the pay of Guard members who are activated for firefighting
services from the state active duty rate to firefighter pay. It
was determined that Guard members who were activated for
firefighter duties were being paid about one-third of the pay of
the other emergency firefighters. The commissioner of the DNR
and Major General Craig agreed that Guard firefighters should be
paid the same rate of pay as firefighters from other states or
the private sector. He concluded by saying that this bill is
supported by the governor.
1:11:26 PM
TOM IRWIN, Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources, stated
that he strongly supported the bill. During a time of serious
fires, help is needed immediately; when the equipment is
available, the Guard is always there to help. He explained that
Guard members are Alaskans who respond to the emergency and must
leave their jobs and families to go to the fire line. For this,
he said, they are not paid an appropriate and fair wage. This
bill will allow Guard firefighters to be paid what private and
outside firefighters are paid, and he encouraged the committee
to give the bill strong consideration.
1:13:37 PM
CHAIR ROSES asked whether this arrangement would use the Guard
to replace private individuals, or companies that are under
contract, to fight fires.
COMMISSIONER IRWIN responded that the bill will not affect
private firefighters. The Guard is used for extra protection.
1:14:59 PM
CHAIR ROSES confirmed that the Guard is called in after all
other resources have been expended.
1:15:05 PM
COMMISSIONER IRWIN deferred the question to Lynn Wilcock. He
emphasized that the intent is not to replace private service.
1:15:22 PM
LYNN WILCOCK, Fire Program Manager, Director's Office, Division
of Forestry, DNR, informed the committee that, in an emergency,
DNR must certify to the Division of Homeland Security &
Emergency Management (DHS&EM) that all private sector and
civilian resources are exhausted prior to requesting use of the
Guard. He added that the Guard is most valuable at the time
private resources in Alaska are exhausted, and out of state
resources are being mobilized, but have not arrived. He added
that the Guard is always valuable and the Division of Forestry
supports the bill.
1:16:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH referred to a document titled DNR
Comments on 773-08-0016, second paragraph, reading:
...as well as the fact that the Division of Forestry
can only use them, referring to outside or the
National Guard, after we have used all available
civilian assets.
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH then said, "... according to this memo
that there's a regulation in place that we would have to go
there before implementing the National Guard." She then
returned to the bill and observed that the interpretation being
discussed allows, in the case of fire situations only, the
adjutant general to activate the Guard. However, under Sec.
26.05.070, she pointed out that the governor may order organized
militia into active state service for any reason.
Representative Fairclough said that her interpretation of the
change brought by this bill is, the authority to activate the
Guard is delegated to the adjutant general no matter what the
condition of the emergency. These are two totally different
sections and one will allow payment of firefighter pay rates;
however, she disagreed that the change in lines 12 through 14
are specific to calling out the Guard to fight wildfires. She
said that this change will delegate the governor's authority in
its entirety, and the adjutant general can call the Guard in,
without the governor, for any emergency in the state.
1:19:28 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL said that he agreed with Representative
Fairclough.
1:19:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH compared her interpretation to the
first bullet point in the sectional analysis that says the
authority is specific to wildfires; she stated that the bullet
point is inaccurate and needs to be clarified.
1:20:14 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL confirmed that the intent is for the bill
to change the authority for wildfires, as stated by the
sectional analysis. He said that he has not asked the governor
to delegate authority over all Guard activations.
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH re-stated her interpretation.
1:20:55 PM
CHAIR ROSES noted that, if the committee adopts a conceptual
amendment, the legal department will have to deal with the
problem before the bill moves on.
1:21:06 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL indicated that he would not oppose a
change to the bill that will restrict the authorization to
fighting fires.
1:21:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH said that she will offer an amendment;
however, she expressed her understanding that, in the case of a
dire emergency, the governor may want a secondary line of
defense to respond to natural emergencies. She then moved to
adopt a conceptual amendment as follows:
That the adjutant general powers specific to
delegation of authority be limited to activating
troops of the Alaska National Guard to firefighting
only.
1:22:27 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL said that he had no objection.
1:22:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH opined that the Conceptual Amendment
is inaccurate because the whole issue is that the bill does not
require, except under the provision about firefighter pay, for
DNR to be consulted. The amendment would have to be expanded to
include the caveat that DNR is required to agree to the
activation.
1:23:22 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL re-stated that the first part of the bill
indicates the governor's concurrence with the adjutant general's
authority to activate the Guard; the DNR does not activate the
Guard. The second portion is about the payment of firefighting
wages. He asked Representative Fairclough for a further
explanation of her statement.
1:23:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH expressed her understanding of the
statement in the sectional analysis of Sec. 1 and remarked:
... it says, 'the Adjutant General of the Alaska
National Guard to activate the troops to fight wild
fires' not to pay them, but to fight it, ' will when
asked by the Department of Natural Resources.' So,
he's, he's the one who is the kicker.
1:24:16 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL concurred that DNR must request
activation of the troops. The initiation of the request is the
first step to the adjutant general's activation of the troops
and the subsequent payment of firefighter pay, not state active
duty pay.
1:24:37 PM
CHAIR ROSES observed that the committee will not amend the
sectional analysis and that the bill does not have the DNR
requirement.
1:24:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH said that, the caveat in the sectional
analysis has both instances tied together with the DNR.
1:25:01 PM
CHAIR ROSES surmised that when the bill moves to finance, the
sectional analysis can be corrected. Furthermore, there was no
objection to the Conceptual Amendment.
1:25:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked whether, in the case of a wildfire
happening when the governor was out of town, the authority is
given in advance.
1:26:02 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL responded that, if HB 326 is passed, DMVA
will ask for a Letter of Delegation that will be on file for the
governor's term of office.
1:26:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked whether Major General Campbell wants
the authority to activate the Guard in the case of other
matters, such as a riot.
1:27:18 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL answered no. He explained that military
authority is deferred to the civilian leadership in most
instances; all control of the response is a civilian decision.
Secondly, the executive power of the governor should be to have
the ability to determine at what level to respond to an
emergency, with the exception of wildfires. He opined that
civil disobedience builds up over time, unlike a wildfire.
Evaluations show that a wildfire is the only valid exception to
the governor's control over the activation of the Guard.
1:29:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH asked whether Guard firefighters, when
fighting a long lasting fire, receive compensation for medical
benefits from their civilian jobs that may be jeopardized by
their Guard obligation.
1:30:11 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL assured the committee that firefighter
wages include workman's compensation at an appropriate level.
However, this may not be equal to a Guard member's civilian
employment medical coverage.
1:30:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH observed that it is a choice to be a
member of the Guard.
1:31:19 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL confirmed that Guard members have joined
the state militia with responsibility to the state first and the
federal government when asked. This is the primary mission for
the Guard's existence.
1:31:33 PM
CHAIR ROSES closed testimony.
1:32:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM moved to report HB 326, Version A, with
attached Conceptual Amendment, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being
no opposition, CSHB 326(MLV) was reported from the House Special
Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
1:32:22 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 1:33 p.m. to 1:34 p.m.
^Annual Update & Departmental Presentation
1:35:05 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL informed the committee that the
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA) and the Palin
Administration have a new strategic plan that is included with
member's copies of the 2007 annual report. The strategic plan
is the benchmark that reflects budget requests and, with the
DMVA website, provides transparency of last year's functions of
the department. For further information about the DMVA's
activities, he provided copies of Warrior Magazine, and pointed
out that it is published at no cost to the state. Major General
Campbell thanked the committee for the past legislative action
that contributed to the repeal of a federal law usurping the
governors' control over state militias nationwide. A crisis
was averted by action from the governors and state legislatures.
However, he warned that there is a new recommendation from the
U. S. North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD), Northern
Command, that will need to be addressed in the future.
1:38:57 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL stated that the Army Guard and the Air
Guard have had two extremely busy years. Last year, the Army
Guard had the largest number of soldiers from Alaska, deployed
in combat, since World War Two and most are home safe after
serving exceptionally well. There were 575 soldiers in Kuwait
and Iraq; a significant number were Native Alaskans from rural
Alaska. There were 150 members serving in Kandahar,
Afghanistan, and during the change of control from U. S. forces
to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces, the Taliban
accelerated fighting in the areas outside of Kandahar. However,
U. S. Army and Canadian forces, with significant leadership from
the Alaska Army National Guard, prevailed. Most are now home,
except for those imbedded in Afghanistan and in Iraq, who are
performing training missions with the Mongolian observers. In
addition, there are 185 soldiers stationed near Baghdad. He
opined that the "surge" [in military presence] has helped to
protect these soldiers from death and serious injury. Major
General Campbell continued to explain that the Guard is changing
to a battlefield surveillance brigade: a re-organization of
3,000 soldiers, some of whom will have to be schooled and re-
trained next year for new responsibilities. The Army will test
the new brigade in about 15 months for a certification to serve.
He stressed that certification is important to ensure that Guard
members learn the life skills needed to benefit their state and
villages.
1:46:46 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL turned to the subject of missile defense
at Fort Greeley. This is an entire Guard operation of 250
soldiers, and the new commander is doing an exceptional job. In
the matter of recruiting and retention, he said that the Alaska
Guard is 98 percent manned; in fact, numbers are up to about
2,000 soldiers and Native recruiting is up after a 15 year
decline. With the new organization, duties overseas, training,
and high quality leadership, the state has seen an increased
interest in joining the Guard. He continued to report that
aviators and Black Hawk helicopters are going back to Kosovo for
their second rotation; in addition, fixed wing aircraft are
serving in Iraq. In Kosovo, there is a lot of tension in the
streets, and the presence of Guard support helps to ensure that
negotiations between the warring factions will continue.
Operation Jump Start is a nationwide Guard operation to
strengthen the security along the border of the four states that
share a border with Mexico; this operation is scheduled to
continue for the rest of this year. Finally, Major General
Campbell reported that Alaska is the last state where the Army
provides emergency helicopter support to civilians through the
Military Assistance and Search Team (MAST); this program will
end on the first of July, 2008, and alternatives need to be
found for rescue services in the Interior.
1:51:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAMRAS asked for the timeframe of the loss of the
MAST program in Fairbanks.
1:52:13 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL stated that he is talking with Interior
representatives about the options to provide support for the
Interior. The first of July, 2008, is the date for termination
of the service; within that time it must be determined whether
the state has sufficient capabilities or will contract with the
Army for emergency services.
1:53:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAMRAS observed that there is a safety issue for
the citizens of Fairbanks and the Interior due to its extreme
weather and distances between population centers.
1:53:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BUCH recalled that, in 2002, the U.S. Coast Guard
assumed a great deal of military homeland security
responsibilities.
1:54:21 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL explained that the Guard and Coast Guard
have agreed that, with the exception of the coastal area south
of Anchorage to the Aleutian Islands, that is covered by the
Coast Guard, the Coast Guard takes responsibility for rescue
over water and the Guard over land, including Prince William
Sound. In a dire emergency, the National Guard and the Coast
Guard are seamless in response over the state. He observed that
the Coast Guard has many new homeland security responsibilities
for ports and shorelines. Major General Campbell told the
committee that the Air Guard has a new commander, Brigadier
General Deborah McManus. Air Guard members that are currently
deployed for perimeter security missions in Kurdistan and
Afghanistan, security communications in Iraq, counter-drug
missions in Ecuador, and air refueling duties in Guam and the
western Pacific Ocean. In Alaska, the C-17 is the aircraft of
the future; its missions are operated jointly with Air Force and
Guard crews. Still on duty are C-130's, helicopters, and air
tankers. Major General Campbell offered a status report on the
Air Guard transfer from Kulis Air National Guard Base to
Elmendorf Air Force Base. Last year infrastructure work was
begun at Elmendorf; this year the road will be completed and
realignment and vertical construction will begin. In 2010,
Kulis will begin the transfer and the base will be closed by
September of 2011. The U. S. Department of Defense, the
Department of Public Safety, and the Department of
Transportation are looking at uses for some of the land and the
buildings. He opined that this is a very successful transition
without the need for state money at this time.
2:01:03 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL continued to say that the Air Control
Squadron at Elmendorf has been converted to Air Guard, adding
125 new jobs; furthermore, at Clear Air Force Station, the space
surveillance mission at Anderson/Healy has also been converted
to Air Guard. He concluded by saying that the Air Guard is
changing: getting new equipment; going to new locations; and
stepping into traditional active duty missions.
2:01:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BUCH asked for a description of the transition at
Clear Air Force Base.
2:02:39 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL explained that the Air Guard did not take
over facilities or infrastructure; those remain the
responsibility of the Department of Defense. The Air Guard
provides the security and operator force only. Moreover,
employees, such as the civilian firefighters, maintenance
contract employees, and others, remain under the DOD management.
Major General Campbell turned to the subject of Emergency
Management and informed the committee that John Madden is the
director of the Division of Homeland Security/Emergency
Management, two divisions that have been consolidated to keep
costs down. Even though there has been an increase in the
number of disasters, this consolidation is keeping the number of
staff and costs down. The merged staff is doing an exceptional
job; in fact, disaster case management files are now being
closed in three years, not seven. Major General Campbell
acknowledged that, in the coming years, there may be a need to
add staff, but his department is staffed sufficiently at this
time. He also acknowledged that help from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) serves to keep costs down and his
budget contained. The federal agency shares responsibilities
with the state and has been a big help to Alaska when disasters
hit. There is a FEMA office in Anchorage and disaster assessors
from the Alaska office, or the Region 10 headquarters in
Seattle, are on site whenever necessary.
2:06:17 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL explained that northern ice is not
forming as fast, or as early, and is melting earlier than in the
past; this is causing coastal erosion with more flooding and the
destruction of riverbanks in northwestern Alaska. He opined
that later freezing leads to faster melting, ice jams, and
flooding. He noted that the Kenai River flood last year was
caused by the quick break-up of ice and rapid melting. He asked
the committee to anticipate that requests for assistance will be
changing, also. Major General Campbell addressed the subject of
Homeland Security and said that the Guard is still operating
under Administration Order 203; this order designated five
individuals from other departments to work with the DMVA and
build vulnerability assessment teams to improve security across
the state. This is a successful administrative order and has
provided valuable information; in fact, assessments are now
being provided to the private sector. He stressed that 80
percent of homeland security grants go to projects in local
communities, not to the state. In addition, Alaska is getting
less money because the focus is more on urban areas and high
threat areas such as nuclear power plants. Furthermore, total
funds for homeland security grants to Alaska are down from $19
million per year to about $7 million per year. Although the
formula for money is biased to urban areas, he opined that this
is a successful program for Alaska, and sufficient funds are
provided for security of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System.
2:10:30 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL informed the committee that, last year,
the Alaska Land Mobile Radio Program was transferred from the
DMVA to the Department of Administration. This is part of an
integrated emergency communication system that is the
responsibility of the DOA. Looking at the aspects of emergency
communications in Alaska, including the ALERTNET system, tsunami
systems, and the emergency communications arena, indicates that
emergency responders in Alaska are well connected.
Additionally, flying is getting safer with the implementation of
aviation safety programs that complement the Federal Aviation
Administration's Capstone Safety Program (Capstone). The Guard
aviation safety program is in the process of mapping Alaska's
terrain and, when complete, will allow pilots to simulate their
flights on computers. The two programs working together will
provide a safer environment for pilots in the future.
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL then spoke of the success of the Alaska
Military Youth Academy; it is one of the finest in the country.
The academy graduates about 250 young adults and monitoring
their progress after graduation has proven that about 95 percent
continue to be successful citizens. Funding for the academy
comes from the federal government and the state education
foundation funding formula. He stated that the educational
foundation formula is an appropriate source of funding for the
academy because it is an educational facility where former drop-
outs complete their high school degrees, General Education
Development (GED) tests, and vocational training.
2:15:11 PM
CHAIR ROSES observed that, as the base student allocation was
increased, the multiplier factor for the academy budget became
over inflated. He opined that there will be adjustments to
determine the appropriate multiplier; however, he said he has
not heard that the academy will be taken out of the education
funding or that the base student allocation will be adjusted.
2:15:59 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL responded that, last year, the academy
lost about $1 million in its operating budget and $1 million was
moved into the capital budget. This resulted in less
recruitment, advertising, and fewer incoming students, but not
in a loss of the quality of the product. He expressed his
concern that the future expansion to a second academy will be
put on hold with this budget; federal money can not be used for
new construction. There is the possibility of expansion at Fort
Wainwright Army Post or at Eielson Air Force Base when space
becomes available. Present funding is right for the existing
facility in Anchorage, he concluded.
2:19:31 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL stated that there has been an expansion
of the U. S. Department of Defense elementary school STARBASE
program from Anchorage into Fairbanks. This program uses
science, space, and aviation to increase students' interest in
math and science. For one week, students fly the simulator,
build rockets, and participate in other activities. Turning to
global issues, Major General Campbell referred to the Guard's
partnership with Mongolia. The basis of this four year old
program is for the Guard to establish contacts, assist with the
Mongolian military, and to represent the United States to this
developing democracy. Mongolians have been to Alaska to study
the mining industry, emergency management, and government
programs. The hope is for further business, government, and
educational contacts in the future, such as Sister City
exchanges.
2:23:45 PM
CHAIR ROSES recalled an individual's successful experience in
Mongolia.
2:24:08 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL related his positive experience with the
U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia and re-stated that Mongolia still
has soldiers accompanying the Guard in Iraq. He then spoke of
the successful Adjutant General's Conference that was held in
Anchorage; it generated $5 million for the community. The
expenses for the conference were pre-funded and Major General
Campbell said that he has balanced the books from that event.
Further events this year included Operation Santa Claus; this
privately-funded program, going on now for 52 years, brings
gifts and holiday cheer to villages. Finally, he stated that
the Veteran's Administration is expanding at Elmendorf Air Force
Base and will begin outreach services for returning veterans
that live in rural areas. There will be a request from the
veteran's organizations for $30,000 in additional funding for
travel to rural Alaska, and for cost adjustments for the
services provided.
2:29:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAMRAS observed that a letter from the committee
was submitted today in support for the additional travel funds.
2:30:10 PM
MAJOR GENERAL CAMPBELL explained that the Guard has also been
very active processing discharge certificates for the Alaska
Territorial Guard. From 2004 to 2007, about 171 discharges were
processed, and received, for veterans of the territorial guard
that are now recognized as members of the military. At the
governor's request, the program has been accelerated, and due to
an increase of $50,000 in the budget, there have been 424
discharges processed in 2008. There are over 6,000 contacts to
be made and extra efforts are being made by the federal and
tribal governments to connect with Alaska Natives in rural
areas. A variety of offices are assisting to keep the
applications in circulation. Those who served in the Alaska
Territorial Guard will now receive veterans' retirement and
medical benefits; however, after approval of the application,
there is a processing time of three to nine months before the
veteran, or surviving spouse, will receive benefits.
2:34:16 PM
ROBERT GOODMAN, President, Alaska Territorial Guard
Organization, expressed his appreciation of the DMVA and its
policies; however, he opined that its treatment of the Alaska
Territorial Guard veterans has been miserable. He observed that
the first discharge was presented on the eighteenth of October,
2004, and Guard representatives travelled to 30 villages to
begin processing the discharges. Mr. Goodman said that, as of
July of 2007, not one discharge or request had been obtained
because processing the discharges was not a priority with Major
General Campbell. Now that more resources have been directed to
the effort, more discharges are being processed, but benefits
are still not being paid. He pointed out that twenty-seven
people are entitled to back pay and some have been waiting for
two and one-half years due to the department's incompetence.
All of those waiting to be paid range in age from 76 to 91
years. In addition, 53 percent of the surviving spouses are
from Nome and Kotzebue and qualify for low income benefits.
Furthermore, Mr. Goodman stated that there is $130,000 due from
the state that can be paid at any time.
2:37:59 PM
CHAIR ROSES expressed his appreciation for Mr. Goodman's
testimony.
2:38:16 PM
MR. GOODMAN opined that there is not a written plan for the
issuance of the discharges. He said that he felt Major General
Campbell should be held accountable for the senior veterans who
are not being taken of.
2:38:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAMRAS thanked the Major General for the Guard's
help at the Tanana Valley fair and for his assistance with
legislation to advocate for youth. He recognized the Major
General's enthusiasm and optimism for youth and the standing
military. He remarked:
"You ... give ... the various disciplines of the Guard
purpose, ... you are able to articulate those missions
and that purpose, in a way that removes it from all
stereotypes. ... you provide purpose, and honor, and
focus ... and articulate better than I have ever heard
how important the function of the Guard in its various
manifestations are to the state of Alaska ...
2:41:36 PM
CHAIR ROSES recalled his visit to Fort Greely and the high level
of competence he saw. The members there do have serious
concerns regarding the lack of access to medical care. The
services need to be provided and the private sector and the
military sector need to work together to provide for military
families. Chair Roses then said:
I know that this issue of the territorial guard is one
that has caused some anxiety for a lot of people. And
I certainly hope that you are moving forward with a
plan, and that if you do have a strategy that you have
in writing, I certainly would love to see it, and if
not, I would certainly hope that you could put
something together; because I know your desire to make
sure that these guys get what they're entitled to is
just as strong as other people's. And, unfortunately,
we haven't always moved in the same direction at the
same time and had everybody on the same page, but I
hope from this point forward, we can ....
2:43:56 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting was
adjourned at 2:43 p.m.
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