Description of document: National Guard Bureau (NGB) Talking Points documents, 2007-2011 Requested date: 26-October-2010 Released date: 22-June-2011 Posted date: 11-July-2011 Date/date range of document: 06-July-2007 – 08-January-2011 Source of document: NGB/JA-OIP 1411 Jefferson Davis Highway Suite 11300 Arlington VA 22202 Fax: (703) 607-3684 Email: [email protected] The governmentattic.org web site (“the site”) is noncommercial and free to the public. The site and materials made available on the site, such as this file, are for reference only. The governmentattic.org web site and its principals have made every effort to make this information as complete and as accurate as possible, however, there may be mistakes and omissions, both typographical and in content. 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NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU 1411 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY ARLINGTON VA 22202-3231 June 22, 2011 Office of the Chief Counsel This letter is in response to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request dated October 26, 2010 for all "Talking Points or "Q&A" documents within the National Guard Bureau Public Affairs office from 2000 to present. Your request was received in our office on November 2, 2010 and assigned case #J-11-0007. This office has finalized your request and the records you have requested are being granted in part at no cost to you. A search by the National Guard Bureau Public Affairs Directorate revealed 665 pages responsive to your request. Their office does not have any records of Talking Points or Q&As prior to 2007. After a thorough review of these documents, I have determined that portions of them are exempt from disclosure under the FOIA, 5 U.S.C. § 552 (b)(6). We are releasing a total of 665 pages in part. Exemption (b)( 6) protects personnel, medical, and similar files the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Under this exemption, we are withholding names of Department of Defense employees below the grade of General Officer and/or below the title of Commander or Director as well as government e-mail addresses and names of third parties mentioned in these documents. If you are not satisfied with this action, you may appeal to the appellate authority, the Director of Administration and Management, Office of the Secretary of Defense. To submit your appeal, you should write directly to: Defense Freedom of Information Policy Office Attn: Mr. James Hogan 1155 Defense Pentagon Washington, D.C. 20301-1155 Your appeal should include a copy of this letter, be postmarked within 60 calendar days ofthe date ofthis letter, should cite case number J-11-0007, and should be clearly marked "Freedom of Information Act Appeal." If you have any questions regarding this request, please contact Ms. Jennifer Nikolaisen, NGB ChiefFOIA Officer, at (703) 607-3195 or by e-mail, [email protected]. Sincerely, ~dr:.1~ Colonel, US Army Chief Counsel National Guard Bureau Enclosure DRAFT National Guard Office of Public Affairs & Strategic Communications Phone: (703) 607-2584 DSN: 327-2584 Talking Points Active First • The Army National Guard has experienced historic success recently through a variety of innovative recruiting recruiting initatives. • Working on this initiative with the Army is mutually beneficial to the total force – the Guard’s recruiting skills help the Army gain new quality recruits short-term, when needed, while the Guard also gains those recruits in the long-term. • The Secretary of the Army, Mr. Pete Geren, said that the Guard members are more in contact with the civilian population than the active duty Soldier is. So they give the Army reach into a larger segment of the community, on a personal level, than we [the active component] get through recruiting relationships. The Active First Program • The Active First Program (AFP) is a pilot initiative that was proposed to allow members that enlist in the reserve component to serve a period of service on active duty first. • The Army National Guard was authorized to establish the Active First Program as a pilot initiative under the provisions of Army Regulation 601-210 and Army National Guard Regulation (NGR) 601-1 on July 30, 2007. The period of the pilot is from August 2007 to August 2013. • The program is designed to offer select ARNG recruits an opportunity to serve a tour in the Active Army after they complete their initial entry training. Three Phased Program Phase 1- ARNG Enlistment and Participation. During this phase the applicant will enlist in the ARNG. AO: (b) (6) 28 Aug 07 SMEs: (b) (6) (b) (6) 703-607-0583 / 28 Aug07 FOIA Requested Record #J-11-0007 Released by National Guard Bureau Page 1 of 665 DRAFT • The applicant will enlist under the enlistment option named the AFP for either a 30, 36, or 48 month period. • The applicant will fill out the required supporting annexes. • The applicant will drill in the Recruit Sustainment Program until shipping for IET. • Upon graduation from IET the applicant will complete a seamless transition to the Active Army and will serve the contractually defined period of service.. Phase 2- Active Army Enlistment and Participation. Upon graduation from IET the applicant will complete a seamless transition to the Active Army and will serve the contractually defined period of service. • During this phase, the Soldier will execute all documents necessary to lawfully execute their transfer to the Active Army. • The Soldier will receive a bonus from the Active Army based on the length of service and their military occupational specialty (MOS). Phase 3- Active Army Re-Enlistment or Transition to an ARNG TPU. • In accordance with the terms of the “Active First” Annex of the Soldier’s enlistment contract and completion of their initial Active Army tour, a Soldier may either re-enlist in the Active Army or will be released from active duty to transition to an ARNGTPU. • The Soldier will be eligible for an ARNG affiliation bonus at the time of transition. • The Soldier is contractually obligated to serve the remainder of their initial MSO in the ARNG if they do not re-enlist in the Active Army. AO: (b) (6) 28 Aug 07 SMEs: (b) (6) (b) (6) 703-607-0583 / 28 Aug07 FOIA Requested Record #J-11-0007 Released by National Guard Bureau Page 2 of 665 National Guard Office of Public Affairs & Strategic Communications Phone: (703) 607-2584 DSN: 327-2584 Talking Points AF/ANG Recapitalization • To maintain air dominance into the future, the ANG needs to recapitalize the ANG at the same rate as the USAF. • The Air National Guard Modernization Program is essential to fielding a relevant combat surge capability, ensuring the dominance of American air power. • By recapitalizing the ANG in the 1980s and 1990s, the ANG became the best trained and equipped force in American history. Air Force • We must ensure our war fighting future through recapitalizing (replacing) and modernizing our aging air and space fleets. The FY08 President’s budget begins to take us down that road. • The AF’s acquisition priorities reflect the AF’s dedication to enabling the Airmen warrior: KC-X • The KC-X is the AF’s #1 acquisition priority and is critical to ensuring the AF and its joint partners get to and remain in the fight. • The next-generation aerial tanker will ensure the AF remains a rapid expeditionary force providing fast, lethal, flexible and global air, space, and cyberspace capabilities in pursuit of global enemies. CSAF-X • A next-generation Combat Search and Rescue platform protects all members of the Joint and Combined Teams. Every U.S. service member knows that he or she can rely on AF Combat Search and Rescue. • The Air Force is the only service with dedicated forces to perform search and rescue combat situations. AO: (b) (6) 22 Jan 08 SME: NGB-CFX ((b) (6) (b) (6) Ext. 7-3492, 12 Jul 07 FOIA Requested Record #J-11-0007 Released by National Guard Bureau Page 3 of 665 Space Systems • The AF ensures global communication, navigation, precision timing, missile warning, nuclear deterrence and space surveillance are available to the DOD and other users any time, and anywhere. • The AF must pursue advanced space systems acquisition of the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS), Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT), and Space Radar. F-35 Lightning II • 5th Generation, multi-role, stealth, precision strike fighter meets operational needs of Services and Allies. • A quantum leap in capability; 5th Generation fighters are the only fighters that have true stealth capability. • Stealth + speed + maneuverability + integrated avionics + precision = 5th Generation Fighters. Next Generation Long Range Strike — A Bomber by 2018 • A new long-range strike platform is the critical piece to upgrading our portfolios to ensure range and payload — the soul of our AF — and persistent access in enemy environments for the future. Air National Guard: • The Air National Guard needs to recapitalize (replace) and modernize its aging air and space fleets at the same rate as its parent service, the U.S.