On Guard: Time for us to support

As a Nation, we are blessed with freedom, thanks to those who wear our Nation's uniform. One component of the Armed Forces that deserves special recognition during the current COVID-19 pandemic is our National Guard.

The Guard predates the founding of the United States and the Active military by nearly a century and a half. The Guard is an organization we see on the news in times of trouble, whether in disasters or protecting life and property preserving peace and public safety. Made up of what is termed "citizen soldiers, these men and women come from every community and walk of life and willingly serve our Nation and communities in need.

The National Guard is unique because it serves as both a federal mobilized force at any time by presidential order and State force upon declaration of a state of emergency by the Governor of their state. The Guard participated in every conflict that our Nation has had and deployed personnel in support of operations throughout the world.

As of May 26, more than 45,000 members of the National Guard across all 54 states and territories are serving in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with most currently serving on federal Title 32 orders responding to a federally declared national emergency.
What may surprise some is that under current law, they will not receive federal post-deployment transitional health care coverage.

"Fortunately, there is pending bipartisan legislation, the 'Support Our National Guard Act,' (S.3713 and H.R.6967 within Supplemental Coronavirus Legislation that would provide transitional health care benefits to National Guard members who have aided the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic under Title 32 502(f) orders. Estimates are that over 1,000 National Guard members have contracted the coronavirus," according to COL (Ret) Tom Mortenson.

Mortenson said in a phone meeting concerning the matter that "the Guard has always been ready to serve the American people, and today we see them serving alongside doctors, nurses, first responders, and other heroes of the pandemic. Yet, despite the risk that they often face in direct contact with the COVID-19 virus, they are not eligible for the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) benefits.

This Act would remedy the situation by requiring the Defense Department to provide six months of post-deployment health care to any National Guard member activated to support the response to the pandemic. This Act will ensure our National Guard members do not experience a lapse in healthcare coverage after their deployment and would provide treatment of medical issues arising from their service during this crisis," Mortenson said during the call.

Mortenson is urging others to help support this legislation by contacting their Representatives and Senators.

"You can help those helping us by supporting this legislation - it is not only fair it is the right thing to do," Mortenson said.

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Note: Colonel (Ret) Tom Mortenson served 39 years in the Army (Guard, Reserve, and Active Duty). Mortenson was the 1st National Guard Officer to deploy during Operation Iraqi Freedom while serving with United States Central Command and was the DoD Emergency Prepardness Officer for Florida during numerous hurricanes.