President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 created an independent National Commission on the Future of the Army (Commission). As you consider appointments, the nation’s governors urge you to include senior National Guard leaders to represent states on the Commission.
As commanders-in-chief of our National Guard forces, we care deeply about the Guard’s ability to perform critical homeland defense and civil support missions as well as missions overseas. Through the Council of Governors (Council), the nation’s governors have been deeply engaged with the Department of Defense (DoD) in an attempt to resolve budget disputes, including proposed cuts to Army National Guard force structure and combat aviation capabilities. It is imperative that the Commission include representation from the National Guard to further discuss and resolve long-term strategic issues that have been raised during recent Council discussions with DoD leaders.
Governors are prepared to recommend potential representatives for your consideration to serve on the Commission. Thank you for your continued support of the National Guard and your consideration of this important request.
Sincerely,
Governor Rick Snyder
Chair
Homeland Security and Public Safety Cmte.
Governor Terry McAuliffe
Vice Chair
Homeland Security and Public Safety Cmte.
Governor Terry E. Branstad
Co-Chair
Council of Governors
Governor Dannel P. Malloy
Co-Chair
Council of Governors