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Wilson and Boren Call for Expanded Retirement Benefits for Guard and Reserve

March 25, 2009
Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2009

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) and Congressman Dan Boren (OK-02) issued the following statement today following a press conference to highlight their efforts to close the gap in early retirement eligibility for National Guard and Reserve soldiers. Congressman Wilson, with the support of Congressman Boren, introduced the National Guardsmen and Reservists Parity for Patriots Act (H.R. 208) which amends the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 (NDAA) to repair the gap in eligibility for National Guard and Reserve members to receive credit towards early retirement by including any active duty service since September 11th, 2001. Current eligibility only applies to service following the enactment of the 2008 NDAA on January 28, 2008.

“Since September 11, 2001, our National Guard and Reserve soldiers have fought bravely in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom,” said Rep. Wilson. “Their courage and dedication throughout this transition to a more active duty role should be reflected in their retirement benefit system. I greatly appreciate Congressman Boren’s support in this effort, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure we continue to honor the tremendous sacrifices made by all the members of our Armed Forces and their families.”

“These brave men and women deserve to be included in the retirement benefits enacted under the Defense Authorization Act of 2008. Their service should be counted toward retirement because their sacrifice for the last 8 years has been critical to the security of our entire nation. I am proud to join Congressman Wilson on this common sense piece of legislation. It is yet another way we can provide long term benefits to those who have fought bravely in the War on Terror,” said Rep. Boren

Note:

  • More than 600,000 members of the reserve components have been mobilized in support of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and for other contingency operations.
  • More than 145,000 members have been mobilized more than once.

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