Letter from Schwarz, C.Y., to Chairman Principi (05/17/2005) Page: 1 of 2
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ALLYSON Y. SCHWAR Z WASHING ON I CL:
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131 1II c, PENNSYLVA ASHINGTON, DC 2b lb
IF : 12027225 -6111
FAX: 1202, 226-0611
COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE (O O tJe nitb Dtate OISTRIC OFFICFS
SLJB)RraMM [ k -EE219 FRANKFORD AVENUE
H1IHw'AS., TRANSIr, AND PI"'i I INI ; I of iiEAI I HIA, PA 19135
WATER, Rr,tjrn:" , AND ENViRToNMEr:- [5'OU C .cpre d ta u Tn 1215} 335. 3355
FAX; [215) 333-4508
COMMITTEE DIN THE BU i g , 2C - 6ESAU
CMITnton, 2,51 W 3O6WEST AVENUE
UJiG NL .i: NKINIO)WN, PA 19045
TEL; 1215' 517-6572
May 17. 2005 : IFA1Zi 517 655
www. house.gov.schwartz
Chairman Anthony Principi
BRAC Commission
2521 South Clark Street. Suite 600(
, rlin ,ton. Virginia 22202
Dear Chairman Principi
The men and women of the National Guard and Reserves continue to proudly serve the Iunited
States in support of Operation Enduring Freedomr (OFF) and ()peration Iraqi Freedom (01F). lhe
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has the fourth largest contingent of National Guard and Reserve service
members from any state curn-rently stationed in iraq and Afghanistan. These 450() individuals have
volunteered to take leave from their jobs. their families, and their personal concerns in order to serve our
nation. For this, we are all grateful.
However. I am concerned that our earned services and the [)epartment of the Navy in particular.
may lose a large number of volunteer service members if the DoD B3RAC recommendations are
implemented as presented to the Commission. As you consider these recommendations. 1 am confident
that you will keep in mind the impact that they may have on our nation's ability to recruit and retain
Reserve service members.
Specifically, it is my hope that you will address the following questions and concerns:
* The DoD report did not account for lost Guard and Reserve billets in its overall tally for job
losses at bases recommended for closure or realignment. However, these installations serve as
second homes for many of our volunteer service members who spend time on base to receive
training and access health and commissary services. Caln you explain why the DoD Report
omitted these service men and women, particularly when there may be no other local or
regional installations available to them?
* The reservists from the Northeast may be the hardest hit by the DoD recommendations, because
that region of the country would be without any facilities to house the Naval Air Reserve or the
air functions of the Marine Corps RcKserve. With the nation's increasing reliance on theI Reserve
Components of our armed forces, our volunteer sCervice members must continue to receive the
highest level[ of training. Cani you explain how these individuals will be fully integrated into
National Defense Team without direct access to a local or regional facility where they can
reinforce and expand their skills?)
* On May 13%, 200)5. Vice Adrmiral John Colton, Chief of the Navy Reserve, wrote. "The Navy's
senior leadership understands and embraces tle value provided by the Navy Reserve. however.
that is not the case throughout. At the deck plates, the value of the Navy Reserve is not apparent.
This is due largely to misperceptions about the Reserve Component (RC) that go unchallenged.
Our task is to change tlc Active C(omponenI t (I AC) mindset so that RC units or personnel are
thought of as a primary solution set raher than an after thought. Only then will full and completeinteration be realized.
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Letter from Schwarz, C.Y., to Chairman Principi (05/17/2005), letter, June 6, 2005; (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc14889/m1/1/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.