Blum: Combat Readiness Needs Addressing
The Army National Guard’s combat readiness is in “an even more dire situation than the active Army,” due to equipment being worn out or destroyed in Iraq and Afghanistan and never replaced, said Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau. Blum said the cost to re-equip the Army National Guard will be $21 billion. The active component needs resources as well. Some congressmen said more than two-thirds of the active units are not combat ready. More

Army Can Now Award Sailors, Marines
Now for the first time, the Army can issue noncombat awards, such as the Army Commendation and Achievement medals, directly to Sailors and Marines under their command. The changes do not affect combat awards such as the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal and Legion of Merit. The changes came about because a growing number of Sailors and Marines are serving with Soldiers in combat zones, said Capt. Beci Brenton, a spokesperson for the secretary of the Navy. More

Guard Ready to Protect the Homeland
In the event of an attack on the United States, specialized Army National Guard units in every state are prepared to assist and advise emergency responders on how best to deal with such hazards as nuclear, chemical and biological. The Guard also is committed to defeating ballistic missile attacks against the United States, with Alaska’s 49th Missile Defense Battalion and Colorado’s 100th Missile Defense Brigade. More