California National Guard at Risk of Losing Critical Support For Education Assistance

At this point, California is the only state in the nation that does not provide some education assistance for members of its National Guard.

A California National Guard soldier in Afghanistan Photo by Tim King Salem-News.com

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - The National Guard Association of California issued a statement that decried recent cuts to educational benefits, announcing in a statement that, "The leadership of the California legislature has yet again, failed the soldiers and airmen of the California National Guard and the citizen’s they have sworn to protect".

In a recent Budget Conference Committee hearing, the Democratic members voted 4-2 against the governor’s budget initiative for The California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program. This year’s endeavor was the sixth year in a row that the California National Guard attempted to seek approval from the legislature for an Education Assistance Program.

The Guard Association says maintaining the state's National Guard Force is essential to an effective state disaster response capability.

"Every other state that has instituted some form or education assistance program has not only increased the retention of their state’s National Guard, but also increased the number of authorized positions in their Guard. This means increased federal revenue into their state, in many cases at the expense of California. This is no coincidence!"

They charge that the failure of the Legislature to fund a $3.6 million education assistance program is penny wise and pound-foolish.

"In the last decade, California has lost over 8000 authorized positions in its Guard. This equates to a loss of over $400,000,000 in federal revenue California so desperately needs."

At this point, California is the only state in the nation that does not provide some education assistance for members of its National Guard. The Guard Association says this is another example of the state's failure to meet the needs of these citizen soldiers.

"This is inexcusable, not merely from a fiscal perspective, but more importantly; it denies the citizens of California increased capabilities such as helicopters and other key military equipment used to respond to disasters and emergencies."

The group suggests that over the last six years of failed attempts, an expectation has been created in the rank and file members of the California National Guard for an Education Assistance Program.

"A survey conducted by the State Military Department indicated that 74% of Guard members would extend their enlistment or service obligation if they received a state education benefit. It works in every other state, why not California?"

"How California Legislators can continue to depend on the Guard to be available for state disasters and emergencies, without offering any State benefit should be embarrassing to them. The service commitment made by National Guard members places a significant strain on the member, their family, and their civilian employer. California’s 26% annual attrition rate reflects the strain."

Data indicates that this burden can be overwhelming to members who constantly struggle to maintain a job, a family, and perform their military obligations to the citizens of California and the United States.

The association concluded by saying, "We implore the leadership of our State Legislature to reconsider their decision to not support the Citizen Soldiers and Airmen of their California National Guard."