86066 U. S. ARMY-ARMY NATIONAL GUARD MARCH 1957 Printed for the use of the Committee on Armed Services UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1957 COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES EIGHTY-FIFTH CONGRESS CARL VINSON, Georgia, Chairman OVERTON BROOKS, Louisiana CARL T. DURHAM, North Carolina O. C. FISHER, Texas PORTER HARDY, JR., Virginia WILLIAM J. GREEN, JR., Pennsylvania CLYDE DOYLE, California GEORGE P. MILLER, California CHARLES E. BENNETT, Florida A. PAUL KITCHIN, North Carolina E. L. BARTLETT, Alaska LESLIE C. ARENDS, Illinois WILLIAM H. BATES, Massachusetts JAMES P. S. DEVEREUX, Maryland [No. 16] ACTION OF COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ON UNITED STATES ARMY-ARMY NATIONAL GUARD RESERVE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS On January 19, 1957, the Department of the Army promulgated a directive, to take effect on April 1, 1957, concerning the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard. Considerable public interest was engendered by the directive because by its terms the Ready Reserve obligations of reservists were changed, new enlistment programs were authorized and new recruits in the Army National Guard were required to perform 6 months of active duty training. Prior to this time new enlistees in the National Guard, below age 182, had not been required to perform any period of active duty for training, unless they volunteered to do so, because the law authorizes persons to enlist in the National Guard, prior to reaching age 182, and remain deferred from the draft until age 28, so long as they satisfactorily participate in guard training during that period. The National Guard Association and a majority of the State adjutants general opposed the provisions of the directive, insofar as the active duty for training requirements for new enlistees under age 182 was concerned. The contention was that an 11 weeks' training program was sufficient and preferable if the present size of the National Guard was to be maintained. The provisions of the Army directive can be explained as follows: PERSONNEL PROCUREMENT PROGRAMS For persons entering the Active Army and its Reserve components after August 9, 1955 (referred to as the "old program"), and those entering on and after April 1, 1957 (referred to as the "new program") Old program Choice No. 1. Enlist in the United States Army for a period of 3, 4, or more years of active duty. Individuals electing this choice incur a 6-year military service obligation. Upon completion of a total of 5 years' active duty and Ready Reserve service, the enlistee is eligible for transfer to the Standy Reserve for the last year of his service. Individuals who at time of enlistment are over age 26 do not incur a Reserve service obligation. Choice No. 2. A 6-year enlistment in the United States Army Reserve under the provisions of section 261, Reserve 86066-57-No. 16 New program Choice No. 1. Enlist in the United States Army for a period of 3, 4, or more years of active duty. Individuals electing this choice incur a 6-year military service obligation. Upon completion of a total of 4 years' active duty and Ready Reserve service the enlistee is eligible for transfer to the Standby Reserve for the last 2 years of his service. Individuals who at time of enlistment are over age 26 do not incur a Reserve service obligation. Choice No. 2. A 6-year enlistment in the United States Army Reserve under the provisions of section 261, Reserve |