Naval Reserve Association

4From the EditorThe President and Congress are back in town to address a myriad of issues. ManyFY06 funding bills, including the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security,await action by both the Legislative and Executive Branch. The leadership of the Senatebrought the defense authorization bill to the floor prior to the August recess and quicklyremoved it because of a significant number of costly and seemingly controversial amendmentsthat were going to be introduced. What is not being contested is the deconstruction of theNaval Reserve – the rather drastic end-strength reduction and equipment transfer to theAC. Despite what you might have been told by the leadership, you can still express youropinion to those who represent you on Capitol Hill. Just don’t do it while in uniform or on agovernment computer.The commissioners who will serve on the Congressionally mandated Guard and ReserveCommission have been named and will soon come together to chart their year long deliberations:Arnold L. Punaro, Chairman, MG (Ret), USMCWilliam L. Ball III, 19 th Secretary of the NavyLes Brownlee, former Under Secretary of the ArmyRhett B. Dawson, President & CEO IT Industrial CouncilLarry K. Eckles, BG (Ret), ARNGJack Keane, GEN (Ret), former Vice Chief of the ArmyPatricia Lewis, former Professional Staff Member, SASCClinton McKinnon, Founder, President, & CEO of North American AirlinesWade Rowley, MILCON consultant to DHS & CustomsJames F. Sherrad III, LTG (Ret), Chief of AFRDonald Stockton, LTC (Ret), AFRE. Gordon Stump, MG (Ret), ANG, former AG (MI)Stanton Thompson, RADM (Ret), USN, NORTHCOM“The charter and work of the commission is timely given the key role of the Guard andReserves in every aspect of our national security at home and abroad, now and in the future,”said Punaro, who will serve as chairman for the commission. In the months ahead, yourAssociation plans to make presentations and provide information to the Commissioners.Several months ago, I asked the question: Does anyone know where the Commander NavalReserve Force headquarters staff is located? I’ve been told by very reliable sources that manyare still located in New Orleans and that their billets are being added back to the manpowerdocuments. As you avid readers know, very early on, VADM Cotton picked some seeminglylow-hanging fruit and melded the three New Orleans staffs into one to demonstrate that he wasan agent of change. Politics, the law, and pending BRAC decisions suggest that might nothave been the best strategy for bringing about change. So, three staffs are being recreated.Among other things, how VADM Cotton will get RDML Lemmons and his staff back fromSan Diego will be a challenge. “No hill for a climber,” they say.We hit a resonant chord with our members in discussing BRAC, TRICARE, and the namechange to NAVY RESERVE. Five pages devoted to letters from our readers appear in thisissue, and nothing could please me more. We purposely selected the picture of “Ground Zero”for our cover to cause all of you to stop and reflect on the tragic events of 9/11 – PresidentLindell talks about this in his column. Don’t forget our upcoming conference in Phoenix.And, as always, enjoy the read.Best regards,Steve KeithNaval Reserve AssociationNEWS1619 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314Tel: 703-548-5800 • Fax: 703-683-3647Toll Free Voice: 1-866-NRA-4-YOU (672-4968)Toll Free Fax: 1-866-683-3647E-mail: nranews@navy-reserve.orgHome Page: www.navy-reserve.orgEDITORIALEditor: RADM Stephen T. Keith, USNR (Ret)Associate Editor: CAPT Thomas L. McAtee, USNR (Ret)Assistant Editor: Linda BautistaGRAPHICS/PRODUCTIONLinda BautistaADVERTISINGMr. Bob LymanHEADQUARTERS STAFFNATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTORRADM Steve Keith, USNR (Ret)E-mail: execdir@navy-reserve.orgCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERMr. Bob LymanE-mail: cfo@navy-reserve.orgDIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIONCAPT Ike Puzon, USNR (Ret)E-mail: legislat@navy-reserve.orgDIRECTOR, PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENTCAPT Art Schultz, Jr., USNR (Ret)E-mail: record.review@navy-reserve.orgDIRECTOR OF MEMBERSERVICESCAPT Tom McAtee, USNR (Ret)E-mail: stratcom@navy-reserve.orgDIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIPCAPT Art Schultz, Jr., USNR (Ret)E-mail: memdir@navy-reserve.orgMEMBERSHIP ASSISTANTMark De VilleE-mail: membership@navy-reserve.orgSENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTLinda BautistaE-mail: nranews@navy-reserve.orgADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTMillie PistolesiE-mail: admin@navy-reserve.orgSUBMISSIONSLetters to the Editor - Will be considered forpublication unless the writer requests otherwise.They may be edited for clarity and space. Mail toLetters To The Editor at NRA NEWS, or E-mail to. Include your name,address, and daytime telephone number.Articles – For guidelines on article submission,call or write NRA Headquarters, or E-mail.SUBSCRIPTIONSNRA NEWS is part of membership in the Association.To join, renew your membership, or to report addresschanges, call or write NRA Headquarters, or E-mail.NRA NEWS/september 2005